Labour's Bev Craig Wins Greater Manchester Mayoral By-Election
Labour candidate Bev Craig won the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election triggered by Andy Burnham's move to become Prime Minister. Craig secured 66.3% of the final vote, defeating Reform UK's Sian Astley. Turnout was a record low of 25.14%. The election, the first electoral test for Burnham's government, saw Labour retain control of the £3 billion budget authority, though with reduced public engagement.
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LGA Labour Group to Hold By-Election for New Leader After Bev Craig's Mayoral Win
The Labour Group of the Local Government Association (LGA) is holding a by-election to elect a new group leader following the election of Bev Craig as Greater Manchester Mayor. Craig won the mayoral by-election by a nearly two-to-one margin over Reform UK in the second round. Nominations for the LGA Labour Group leadership are open until August 7 at 12pm, with ballot papers distributed to local Labour group leaders from August 11. Voting will close on August 25 at 12pm, and the result will be emailed to all Labour councillors by August 28. Candidates need nominations from Labour groups representing 15% of the total weighted vote, from at least five different regions or nations, and must be voting members of the LGA General Assembly. LGA Labour thanked Craig for her leadership, praising her work in championing local government and building partnerships between councils and the Labour government.
LGA Labour Group to Hold By-Election for New Leader After Bev Craig's Mayoral Win
The Labour Group of the Local Government Association (LGA) is holding a by-election to elect a new group leader following the election of Bev Craig as Greater Manchester Mayor. Craig won the mayoral by-election by an almost two-to-one margin over Reform UK in the second round. Nominations for the LGA Labour Group leadership are open until Friday, August 7 at 12pm. Ballot papers will be distributed to local Labour group leaders from Tuesday, August 11, with voting open until August 25 at 12pm. The result will be emailed to all Labour councillors by August 28. Candidates must secure nominations from Labour groups representing 15 percent of the total weighted vote, from at least five different regions or nations, and must be voting members of the LGA General Assembly. The LGA Labour Group thanked Craig for her service, praising her work in championing local government and building partnerships with the Labour government.
After Burnham's Farewell: Manchester Stays Red
Labour candidate Bev Craig won the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election on July 30, 2026, succeeding Andy Burnham who resigned to become UK Prime Minister. Craig received 47.1% of first-preference votes, defeating Reform UK's Sian Astley (21%) and Green candidate Geraldine Coggins (12.2%). After second preferences were allocated, Craig won decisively with 66.3% against 33.7% for Reform. However, voter turnout was historically low at just 25%, and Craig received only around 250,000 votes compared to Burnham's 420,000 in 2024. The far-right 'Restore Britain' party achieved 8.7%, outperforming the Conservatives. The low turnout reflected public disinterest and the perceived certainty of a Labour victory. Burnham congratulated Craig, praising her intelligence and determination.
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After Burnham's Departure: Manchester Remains in Labour Hands
Following Andy Burnham's elevation to British Prime Minister, a by-election was held for the mayoralty of Greater Manchester. Labour candidate Bev Craig, former leader of Manchester City Council, won the election in the second round of vote counting, defeating Reform UK candidate Sian Astley. Craig received 309,525 votes to Astley's 157,178, with voter turnout at approximately 25%. Craig expressed humility and readiness to serve the region's three million residents. The new mayor will work closely with Prime Minister Burnham, who maintains a satellite government office in Manchester called 'No 10 North,' symbolizing his commitment to devolving power to the regions. Burnham, dubbed the 'King of the North,' had built a reputation as a popular and effective mayor before becoming Labour's hope to recover from the crisis under former PM Keir Starmer.
Labour Wins Greater Manchester Mayoral By-Election in First Electoral Test for PM Andy Burnham
Labour's Bev Craig has won the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, defeating Reform UK's Sian Astley by 309,525 votes to 157,178 after second-preference votes were counted. Craig secured 47.1% in the first round, just short of the 50% threshold. The election was the first electoral test for Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who resigned as mayor after winning the Makerfield by-election and subsequently became Labour leader and de facto prime minister. Turnout was notably low at 25.14%, the third lowest recorded in a regional mayoral election, attributed to voter fatigue as it was the third time Greater Manchester residents had gone to the polls this year. Craig's victory continues Labour's hold on the mayoralty since its establishment in 2017.
Labour Wins Greater Manchester Mayoral By-Election in First Electoral Test for PM Andy Burnham
Labour's Bev Craig has won the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, defeating Reform UK's Sian Astley by 309,525 votes to 157,178 after second-preference votes were counted. Craig secured 47.1% in the first round, just short of the 50% threshold. The election was the first electoral test for Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who resigned as Greater Manchester mayor after winning the Makerfield by-election and subsequently becoming Labour leader and de facto prime minister. Turnout was notably low at 25.14%, the third lowest recorded in a regional mayoral election. Craig's victory continues Labour's hold on the mayoralty since its establishment in 2017, though this was the first contest without Burnham on the ballot. The result coincides with a boost in national polls for Labour following Burnham's policy initiatives in his first fortnight in office.
Labour Wins Greater Manchester Mayoral By-Election in Burnham's First Electoral Test as PM
Labour's Bev Craig won the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election on July 3, 2026, defeating Reform UK's Sian Astley by 309,525 votes to 157,178 after second-preference votes were counted. Craig secured 47.1% in the first round, just short of the 50% threshold. The election was the first electoral test for new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who resigned as Greater Manchester mayor after winning the Makerfield by-election and subsequently became Labour leader and de facto PM. Turnout was notably low at 25.14%, the third lowest recorded in a regional mayoral election. Craig's victory continues Labour's hold on the mayoralty since its creation in 2017, though this was the first contest without Burnham on the ballot. The low turnout was attributed to voter fatigue, as it was the third time Greater Manchester residents had gone to the polls in 2026.
Labour's Bev Craig elected Greater Manchester Mayor
Labour candidate Bev Craig has been elected as the new Mayor of Greater Manchester, succeeding Andy Burnham who vacated the post. The by-election saw Labour retain the mayoralty, though voter turnout reportedly slumped compared to previous elections. The result was covered by multiple major news outlets including BBC, The Guardian, Bloomberg, AP News, and The Telegraph, highlighting the political significance of the race and the reduced public engagement at the polls.
Bev Craig wins Greater Manchester mayoralty in landslide over Reform UK
Labour's Bev Craig has been elected as the new Mayor of Greater Manchester in a landslide by-election victory over Reform UK candidate Sian Astley. Craig won 66.3% of the vote in the second round, compared to Astley's 33.7%, after leading by 26 points in the first round (47% to Reform's 21%, with Greens at 12% and Conservatives at 8%). The by-election was triggered after former mayor Andy Burnham successfully ran to become MP for Makerfield and subsequently became Prime Minister. Craig, who grew up on a council estate, expressed her honor and humility at serving the region's three million residents. Turnout was the lowest in the history of the Greater Manchester mayoralty at just 25.14%. Prime Minister Burnham publicly endorsed Craig, praising her intelligence, compassion, and determination.
Bev Craig Wins Greater Manchester Mayoralty in Landslide Over Reform UK
Labour's Bev Craig has been elected as the new Mayor of Greater Manchester in a landslide by-election victory over Reform UK. Craig defeated Reform candidate Sian Astley by almost two to one in the second round, securing 66.3% of the vote to Reform's 33.7%. In the first round, Craig led with 47%, ahead of Reform on 21%, the Greens on 12%, and the Conservatives on 8%. The by-election was triggered after former mayor Andy Burnham successfully ran to become MP for Makerfield and subsequently became Prime Minister. Following her victory, Craig expressed her honor and humility, vowing to serve the region's three million residents. Prime Minister Andy Burnham praised Craig's intelligence, compassion, and determination. Turnout for the election was the lowest in the history of the Greater Manchester mayoralty, at just 25.14%.
Bev Craig Wins Greater Manchester Mayoralty in Landslide Over Reform UK
Labour's Bev Craig has been elected as the new mayor of Greater Manchester in a landslide by-election victory over Reform UK's Sian Astley. Craig won 66.3% of the vote in the second round, compared to Astley's 33.7%. In the first round, Craig led with 47%, followed by Reform on 21%, the Greens on 12%, and the Conservatives on 8%. The by-election was triggered after former mayor Andy Burnham successfully ran to become MP for Makerfield and subsequently became Prime Minister. Turnout was the lowest in the history of the Greater Manchester mayoralty, at just 25.14%. In her victory speech, Craig expressed honor and humility, noting she never believed as a girl growing up on a council estate she would have a chance to lead the region she loves.
Who will replace Andy Burnham as Manchester mayor?
Labour is expected to retain the Greater Manchester mayoralty in a by-election triggered by Andy Burnham's move to become Prime Minister. Labour candidate Bev Craig, current leader of Manchester City Council, leads polls with 38% support, ahead of Reform UK's Sian Niamh Astley at 24% and the Greens' Geraldine Coggins at 17%. The election uses a supplementary voting system; if no candidate exceeds 50% of first-choice votes, a second round between the top two candidates will decide the winner. The contest has national implications as a test of Labour's popularity under the new PM, with analysts noting that Reform and the Greens offer radical alternatives to an unpopular Starmer government. The winner will control a £3 billion budget and powers over housing, health, policing, and transport in the largest mayoral authority outside London.
Who will replace Andy Burnham as Manchester mayor?
Labour is expected to win the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, the largest in British political history, as voters choose a successor to Andy Burnham who became Prime Minister. Labour candidate Bev Craig, current Manchester City Council leader, leads polls with 38% against Reform UK's Sian Niamh Astley at 24%, with Greens at 17%. The election uses a supplementary voting system where if no candidate gets over 50% of first-choice votes, a second round between top two candidates occurs. Despite early predictions of a close race with Reform, analysts say Labour's position has strengthened due to recent Westminster events. The winner controls a £3 billion budget and significant powers over housing, health, policing, and transport. The result carries national implications for Labour's ability to hold off Green and Reform challenges.
Who will replace Andy Burnham as Manchester mayor?
Labour is expected to retain the Greater Manchester mayoralty in a by-election triggered by Andy Burnham's move to become Prime Minister. Labour candidate Bev Craig leads polls with 38%, followed by Reform UK's Sian Niamh Astley at 24% and the Greens' Geraldine Coggins at 17%. The election uses a supplementary voting system, and if no candidate wins over 50% of first-choice votes, a second round between the top two candidates will decide the winner. The contest has implications beyond Manchester, as it tests Labour's ability to hold off the Green surge in urban areas and Reform UK in working-class towns. The winner will control a £3 billion budget and significant powers over housing, health, policing, and transport. Despite early predictions of a close race, polls suggest Labour will win with relative ease, though the Greens and Reform are offering radical alternatives to the unpopular Starmer government.