Bev Craig wins Greater Manchester mayoralty, vows to undo Thatcher-era deindustrialisation

Labour candidate Bev Craig was elected mayor of Greater Manchester, succeeding Andy Burnham after his election as Prime Minister. Craig secured 47.15% of the first‑round vote and won the supplementary‑vote runoff with 309,525 votes against Reform UK’s Sian Astley, who received 157,178. Turnout was low, around 25%, making it the largest by‑election in British history.

Andy Burnham praised Craig, dubbing her the “queen of the north” and urging her to build on regional growth, affordable housing and technical education. Craig said she will work to reverse the legacy of 1970s‑80s deindustrialisation attributed to Margaret Thatcher’s policies, increase state‑led investment and restore confidence in local politics.

She also acknowledged the “Burnham bounce” that helped Labour’s national standing and pledged to focus on practical decisions that improve residents’ lives.