Bev Craig selected as Labour candidate for Greater Manchester mayoral by-election
Following Andy Burnham's election as MP for Makerfield, a by-election for Greater Manchester Mayor was triggered on July 30. Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig was swiftly selected as Labour's candidate via a fast-tracked party process. Craig pledges to continue devolution, boost economic growth, and expand the Bee Network. The election will use the supplementary vote system. Craig faces competition from the Green Party, Reform UK, and George Galloway.
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Bev Craig Selected as Labour Candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor By-Election
Bev Craig, the leader of Manchester City Council, has been selected as Labour's candidate for the by-election for Greater Manchester Mayor, following Andy Burnham's return to Westminster as the newly elected MP for Makerfield. Craig, born and raised in Belfast, moved to Manchester in 2003 and graduated with a degree in politics and modern history. First elected as a councillor for Burnage in 2011, she became deputy council leader in 2021 and later the city's first woman and openly gay leader. She also serves as vice-chair of the Local Government Association and leader of its Labour Group, and received an OBE for services to local government. Labour faces stiff competition from the Green Party and Reform UK, who gained in the region in May's local elections, while Workers Party leader George Galloway has also announced his candidacy despite living in self-imposed exile in Russia. The by-election is scheduled for July 30.
LabourListBev Craig Selected as Labour Candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor By-Election
Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig has been selected as Labour's candidate in the upcoming by-election for Greater Manchester Mayor, following Andy Burnham's return to Westminster after winning the MP seat for Makerfield. Craig, born in Belfast, moved to Manchester in 2003 and graduated with a degree in politics and modern history. She was first elected as a councillor in 2011, became deputy leader in 2021, and later that year became Manchester's first woman and openly gay council leader. She also serves as vice-chair of the Local Government Association and leader of its Labour Group, and was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours. The by-election, set for July 30, is expected to see strong competition from the Green Party, Reform UK, and Workers Party leader George Galloway, who plans to stand despite living in Russia.
LabourListBev Craig selected as Labour candidate for Greater Manchester mayoral by-election
Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig has been selected as Labour’s candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, triggered by Andy Burnham’s resignation after winning a parliamentary seat. Craig, who has led the council since 2021, is widely seen as the frontrunner to succeed Burnham. In her acceptance statement, she pledged to continue the devolution agenda, focus on economic growth, housing, and opportunity, and expand the Bee Network with fare freezes. The by-election is scheduled for 30 July, with Craig facing competition from the Green Party and Reform UK. Notably, the election will be conducted under the supplementary voting system after a reversal of the previous first-past-the-post decision. Labour hopes to retain one of its most prominent regional posts.
LabourListBev Craig selected as Labour candidate for Greater Manchester mayor
Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig has been selected as Labour's candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, triggered by Andy Burnham's resignation after being elected MP for Makerfield. Craig, who has led the council since 2021 and serves on the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, was the frontrunner to succeed Burnham. In her statement, she pledged to build on Labour's record, focusing on economic growth, housing, and opportunity, while continuing the devolution agenda. The by-election will be held on 30 July under the supplementary voting system, after the Labour government reversed a Tory decision to implement first-past-the-post. Craig faces competition from the Green Party and Reform UK. Labour has held the mayoralty since its creation and aims to retain this high-profile regional post.
LabourListHow Labour will choose its candidate for Mayor of Greater Manchester
Andy Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election automatically triggered the process to elect the next Mayor of Greater Manchester. The Labour Party's National Executive Committee is opening candidate applications, with a longlist drawn up Monday, interviews, a shortlist published Tuesday, and an all-members ballot with the final candidate announced Friday. Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig is the frontrunner. Sitting MPs are eligible but must resign from Parliament if elected. The mayoral by-election is scheduled for 30 July, and the voting system may revert to the supplementary vote system under a new order passed by the House of Lords. The 2021 mayoral election cost £4.7 million. In 2016, Labour faced criticism for an all-male shortlist when Burnham won the nomination.
LabourListLabour Party outlines process to select candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor after Burnham's by-election win
Andy Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election has triggered the process to elect the next Mayor of Greater Manchester. The Labour Party's National Executive Committee is opening candidate applications on the same day, closing Sunday, with a longlist drawn up Monday, interviews, a shortlist published Tuesday, and an all-members ballot with the final candidate announced Friday. Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, is the frontrunner. No hustings are scheduled, and only one candidate is rumored to enter the race. Sitting MPs are eligible but must resign from Parliament if elected. The mayoral by-election is scheduled for 30 July, and the voting system may revert to the supplementary vote system under a new order passed by the House of Lords.
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