Bev Craig has officially secured the role of Mayor of Greater Manchester, triumphing in Thursday’s by-election with 309,525 votes against Reform candidate Sian Astley, who garnered 157,178. The 41-year-old succeeds Andy Burnham, who stepped down to pursue a seat in Parliament for Makerfield.
Speaking alongside the Prime Minister at a recent rally, Craig expressed optimism regarding the government’s commitment to shifting authority from Whitehall to regional leaders. She emphasized that this transfer of power is instrumental in driving tangible improvements for residents. The Prime Minister noted that this focus on devolution centers on addressing daily concerns like transportation and affordable housing.
Craig, who arrived in Manchester in 2003 for university studies, has outlined an ambitious agenda. Her primary goals include freezing fares on the Bee Network, expanding free bus travel for children aged 11 to 18, and developing 50,000 homes over the next 15 years. Additionally, she plans to allocate £20m toward revitalizing local high streets and supporting small business owners. Despite a voter turnout of just under 25% among the two million eligible citizens, Craig remains eager to push forward with these regional advancements.
