Greater Manchester elects Bev Craig as new Mayor

Voters across the city-region have elected Bev Craig as the new Mayor of Greater Manchester in a mayoral by-election on Thursday 30th July.

Bev Craig, Labour leader of Manchester City Council, won 47.1% of first preference votes, with the second place candidate, Reform’s Sian Astley, taking 21.0% of the vote. With no candidate reaching the 50% threshold needed to avoid a run-off under the Supplementary Vote electoral system, a count of second preference votes saw Craig announced as the new Mayor at the count at the Co-op Live Arena late on Friday 31st July. Full election results can be found on the GM Elects website.

The Labour candidate was the first placed candidate across all 10 boroughs, with Reform’s Sian Astley placing second in eight, including Stockport. Turnout was 25.1% across the city-region, the lowest ever turnout in a mayoral race in Greater Manchester; in Stockport, turnout was 31.3%, while Trafford saw the highest turnout at 35.1%.

Bev Craig was previously a local councillor for Burnage, Manchester, since 2011, before becoming Leader of Manchester City Council in 2021, becoming the first woman and first openly LGBTQ+ person to hold the office, and held the Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth portfolio on Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Following her election, Craig has announced her intention to reappoint Kate Green as Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, and has asked City Mayor of Salford Paul Dennett to stay on as Deputy Mayor for Greater Manchester, who both held those roles under Andy Burnham.

The announcement came ahead of the Mayor’s first day in office on Monday August 3^rd, when she will begin to set out her plans for her mayoralty.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Craig said:

“Over the past three years, Kate has played a pivotal role in the ongoing transformation of Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service into two of the best performing services in the country.

“As Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, she’s been a powerful advocate for women and girls and has helped drive a stronger focus on prevention, supporting victims and bringing partners together to drive down crime and antisocial behaviour.

“Paul brings huge experience, strong values and a relentless focus on tackling inequality. As Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester he has been at the forefront of our work to build more truly affordable housing and played an important part in our work to persuade government to devolve more powers to Greater Manchester.

“I’m so pleased that they have both agreed to continue in these roles and I look forward to working with them as we build a Greater Manchester that works for all of us.”

Deputy Mayor for Safer Stronger Communities Kate Green said:

“I’m delighted to have been asked to stay in the best job I’ve ever had, and I’m looking forward to working with the new Mayor to continue our mission to ensure people feel safe in their homes, on their streets and in our communities.”

Paul Dennett, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester and City Mayor of Salford, said:

“I am honoured and humbled to be asked by Mayor elect Bev Craig to continue as Deputy Mayor, and to serve alongside her and carry on with the job of delivering for the 3 million people who call our city region home. Our priority will always be to take the bold decisions that make life better for everyone – and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves once again and serve the people of Greater Manchester.”