Labour's Bev Craig Wins Greater Manchester Mayoral By-Election, Defeats Reform UK

Published Aug 1, 07:39 AM UTC

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.