STORY
Labour’s Bev Craig has been elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, succeeding Andy Burnham after a mayoral by-election triggered by his election to Parliament and subsequent appointment as Prime Minister. The election was decided under the supplementary vote system after no candidate secured an outright majority on first preference votes. Turnout was approximately 25%, the lowest recorded for a Greater Manchester mayoral election.
Craig, the former Leader of Manchester City Council, faced Reform UK’s Sian Astley in the second round after the remaining candidates were eliminated and second preference votes redistributed. Following the transfer of votes, Craig secured 309,525 votes (66.3%), while Astley received 157,178 votes (33.7%), giving Labour a decisive victory in one of its most important electoral tests since Andy Burnham entered Downing Street.
The result maintains Labour’s control of the Greater Manchester mayoralty, a position first won by Andy Burnham in 2017. Speaking after the declaration, Craig said she was honoured to have been elected and pledged to work on economic growth, transport and public services across Greater Manchester’s ten boroughs.
Final result (second round)
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bev Craig | Labour and Co-operative | 309,525 | 66.3% |
| Sian Astley | Reform UK | 157,178 | 33.7% |