Bev Craig won the Greater Manchester mayoral election for Labour, securing nearly double the votes of Reform UK candidate Sian Astley in a decisive victory. Craig succeeds Andy Burnham, who stepped down from the role after leading the region since 2017.
The result reflects Labour's grip on the metropolitan mayor position in one of England's largest urban areas. Craig's substantial margin over Reform UK signals the party's continued dominance in a region where it has held deep organizational roots for decades. Astley's second-place finish underscores Reform's struggle to convert protest voting into mayoral wins outside pockets of stronghold support, despite the party's recent momentum in national politics.
Craig inherits a role managing the ten metropolitan boroughs that make up Greater Manchester, overseeing transport infrastructure, regeneration projects, and economic development across a region of 2.8 million people. Burnham used the platform to establish himself as a prominent Labour voice on devolution and regional inequality, positioning himself in national conversations around "levelling up" and public sector pay debates.
Craig now faces the task of maintaining Labour's visibility in a devolved position while navigating post-election dynamics at Westminster following Labour's national government shift. The mayoral role has become a launching pad for political profiles in recent years, and Craig's early victory margin provides a strong mandate heading into her tenure.
The election outcome also demonstrates the varying electoral landscapes across the UK. While Reform UK gained ground in some regions during recent political shifts, it failed to capitalize on that momentum in this metropolitan contest, where established Labour machinery and local popularity proved decisive.