Labour's Bev Craig has been elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, securing 309,525 votes to Reform's Sian Astley's 157,178 in Thursday's by-election. She will succeed Andy Burnham, who stood down after winning the Makerfield parliamentary seat and became prime minister on 20 July.
From council estate in Belfast to city-region leadership
Craig, aged 41, moved to Manchester in 2003 to study politics and modern history at the University of Manchester. Her career has been rooted in local public service: she began in local government, later worked in higher education and held a national trade union brief on social care.
Local government record and roles
Her elected career began in 2011 when she won a council seat for the Burnage ward on Manchester City Council. She served as the council's executive member for adult social care and health during the Covid-19 pandemic and was appointed deputy council leader in 2021. When Sir Richard Leese stood down after 25 years as council leader, Craig became leader of Manchester City Council — the authority's first female leader and its first openly gay leader.
On the Greater Manchester Combined Authority she has held the post of deputy mayor with responsibility for economy, business and inclusive growth. Craig was appointed an OBE in the 2025 New Year Honours for services to local government.
Economic stewardship and political context
As council leader she presided over a period in which Manchester recorded sustained annual economic growth of more than 3% during the last decade, a performance described in reporting as making the city one of the faster-growing urban economies in Europe. Her election to the mayoralty follows the rapid political changes triggered by Andy Burnham's return to national politics after the Makerfield by-election in June.
- Votes cast: Bev Craig 309,525; Sian Astley (Reform) 157,178.
- Succession: Replaces Andy Burnham, who became prime minister on 20 July.
- Honours: Craig awarded an OBE in 2025 for services to local government.
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Bev Craig | Labour | 309,525 |
| Sian Astley | Reform | 157,178 |
Craig inherits responsibility for a city-region of more than two million residents and a combined authority covering ten boroughs, with priorities that include economic growth, public services and devolution arrangements. Her record on social care and local economic management will frame expectations of her mayoralty, while observers will watch whether she continues the strategic direction set by her predecessor or advances distinct policy priorities.
