Labour’s Bev Craig is elected Greater Manchester mayor to succeed Andy Burnham

Bev Craig of the Labour Party has been elected mayor of Greater Manchester, succeeding Andy Burnham who became Britain's prime minister. Craig secured 66.3% of the vote in a runoff against Sian Astley of Reform UK. The election followed Burnham's departure from the mayoral role. Turnout for the election was 25%, the lowest since the position was created in 2017. Craig, the outgoing leader of Manchester City Council, emphasized her commitment to serving all constituents. This victory is seen as a significant boost for the Labour Party, especially after recent local election setbacks.

Labour's Bev Craig has won a decisive victory in the Greater Manchester mayoral byelection, succeeding Andy Burnham. Craig secured 47% of first-preference votes, rising to 66.3% after second preferences were counted. This win marks a significant boost for Labour, reclaiming areas that had recently seen gains for Reform UK and the Greens. The contest, triggered by Burnham's election to Parliament, saw Reform UK finish second with 33.7% of the vote after second preferences, while the Greens came in third. Craig emphasized moving away from divisive politics in her victory speech. The byelection experienced a turnout of 25%, the third lowest for a mayoral byelection.

Voting is underway for the Greater Manchester mayoral byelection, triggered by Andy Burnham's move to become prime minister. Labour's Bev Craig is widely expected to win comfortably, leading Reform UK's Sian Astley by a significant margin in polls. The contest, involving over 2 million eligible voters, has been overshadowed by Burnham's rapid political ascent and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's focus on a self-imposed parliamentary byelection in Clacton. The supplementary voting system is in place, with Labour anticipated to benefit from second-choice preferences. While a strong showing would be crucial for Reform UK, the Green party also aims to increase its vote share and influence in the region. The result, expected Friday, will be closely watched by all parties in anticipation of future local elections.