Labour's Craig Wins Greater Manchester Mayoralty
Labour’s Bev Craig has been elected mayor of Greater Manchester, holding the office vacated by Andy Burnham when he became Prime Minister. Ms Craig, the leader of Manchester City Council, defeated Reform UK’s Sian Astley after a marathon count that went to second preferences and lasted some fifteen hours. Turnout slumped to a record low for the contest.
The victory hands Mr Burnham an early boost, keeping one of the country’s most powerful regional offices in Labour hands and blunting, for now, Reform’s momentum in the party’s northern heartlands. That the race went to second preferences, and that turnout fell so sharply in a summer by-election, will temper Labour celebrations and offer Reform some comfort as it builds its base. Ms Craig inherits control of transport, housing and policing across a city region of nearly three million people, and has promised continuity with Mr Burnham’s agenda. Watch how she uses the powers he fought to expand.