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● LIVE Updated 1h ago · 17 sources tracked

Labour's Bev Craig elected new Mayor of Greater Manchester

Labour candidate Bev Craig is the new Mayor of Greater Manchester after receiving 309,525 first and second preference votes. She succeeds Andy Burnham, who left the post to become UK Prime Minister. While Craig retains the mayoralty for Labour, the election was marked by low voter turnout. Her victory triggers a leadership vacancy at the City Council and the start of a selection process for a new leader of the Local Government Association Labour group.

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What changed

Bev Craig's specific vote count and the resulting leadership vacancy in the LGA Labour group are now confirmed.

Live updates

  1. Bev Craig wins Greater Manchester mayoral by-election

    Labour candidate Bev Craig is the new Mayor of Greater Manchester after receiving 309,525 first and second preference votes. She succeeds Andy Burnham, who left the post to become UK Prime Minister. While Craig retains the mayoralty for Labour, the election was marked by low voter turnout. Her victory triggers a leadership vacancy at the City Council and the start of a selection process for a new leader of the Local Government Association Labour group.

    Why it matters

    The by-election follows a high-level political shift in the UK government. Craig has previously stated she intends to reverse the legacy of Margaret Thatcher. The transition now requires filling key roles within the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

    What is confirmed

    • Bev Craig was elected Mayor of Greater Manchester with 309,525 first and second preference votes.
    • The Local Government Association Labour group has begun selecting a new leader because Bev Craig no longer holds the role.
    • The election saw low voter turnout.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Thousands of ballots were invalid because voters crossed them in the wrong way.
    • The City Council needs a new leader.
    • Reform UK finished in second place.

    What to watch next

    • Appointment of key roles at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
    • Selection of the new Local Government Association Labour group leader.
    • Official confirmation of the total voter turnout percentage.
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. consent.yahoo.com — Bev Craig Elected Greater Manchester Mayor
    2. www.thebusinessdesk.com — Bev Craig elected Mayor of Greater Manchester – what happens next
    3. www.publicsectorexecutive.com — Bev Craig elected Mayor of Greater Manchester
    4. www.lgcplus.com — Labour LGA group starts leader selection process
    5. www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk — Does the new voting system work if thousands of people’s ballots didn’t count?
    6. www.bbc.com — Mayor of Greater Manchester
    confidence 90%

  2. Bev Craig wins Greater Manchester mayoral by-election with 309,525 votes

    Labour candidate Bev Craig is the new Mayor of Greater Manchester after securing 309,525 first and second preference votes. She takes over from Andy Burnham, who left the office to become UK Prime Minister. Despite the victory, the election saw low voter turnout. Craig's transition to the mayoralty has triggered a leadership selection process for the Local Government Association Labour group, as she no longer holds that role. The city council must now appoint a new leader and fill key positions within the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

    Why it matters

    The by-election was necessitated by the appointment of Andy Burnham as Prime Minister. The results maintain Labour control of the mayoralty in the region. This transition shifts leadership responsibilities for both the city council and the Local Government Association.

    What is confirmed

    • Bev Craig was elected Mayor of Greater Manchester with 309,525 first and second preference votes.
    • The election was characterized by low voter turnout.
    • The Local Government Association Labour group has begun selecting a new leader because Bev Craig no longer holds the position.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Thousands of voters crossed their ballots incorrectly, leading to ballots not being counted.
    • The Reform UK party finished in second place.
    • Bev Craig intends to undo the legacy of Margaret Thatcher.

    What to watch next

    • Appointment of a new leader for the City Council
    • Filling of key roles at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority
    • Selection of the new LGA Labour group leader
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. consent.yahoo.com — Bev Craig Elected Greater Manchester Mayor
    2. www.thebusinessdesk.com — Bev Craig elected Mayor of Greater Manchester – what happens next
    3. www.publicsectorexecutive.com — Bev Craig elected Mayor of Greater Manchester
    4. www.lgcplus.com — Labour LGA group starts leader selection process
    5. www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk — Does the new voting system work if thousands of people’s ballots didn’t count?
    6. www.bbc.com — Mayor of Greater Manchester
    confidence 90%

  3. Bev Craig wins Greater Manchester mayoral by-election

    Labour candidate Bev Craig has been elected as the new Mayor of Greater Manchester following a by-election. Craig succeeds Andy Burnham, who vacated the city hall post to become the UK Prime Minister. While Labour secured a decisive victory to hold the mayoralty, reports indicate the election saw the lowest voter turnout in history. The Reform UK party finished in second place. Craig has indicated an intention to undo the legacy of Margaret Thatcher.

    Why it matters

    The vacancy was created when Andy Burnham moved from local government to Downing Street. This win allows Labour to maintain control of a key northern power base. The result follows a period of tension during the vote counting process.

    What is confirmed

    • Bev Craig of the Labour Party is the new Mayor of Greater Manchester.
    • Bev Craig succeeds Andy Burnham in the role.
    • Andy Burnham left the mayoralty to go to Downing Street.
    • Labour won the mayoral by-election.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Bev Craig suggested she will undo Margaret Thatcher's legacy.

    What to watch next

    • Official announcement of final vote tallies and percentages
    • Bev Craig's first policy actions as mayor
    Sources used for this update (16)
    1. BBC — Greater Manchester mayoral by-election: Counting under way in contest
    2. AP News — Voters in Manchester choose a mayor to replace Andy Burnham, who left city hall for Downing Street
    3. Manchester Evening News — Greater Manchester mayoral election results 2026 in full
    4. The Independent — What time will the Greater Manchester mayoral election results be announced and is there an exit poll?
    5. www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk — Greater Manchester mayoral election LIVE results and updates as turnout announced as lowest in history and tension builds
    6. The Guardian — Wait goes on for result in Greater Manchester mayoral by-election – as it happened
    7. The Guardian — Labour wins decisive victory in Greater Manchester mayoral byelection
    8. bbc.com — Labour's Bev Craig elected new Mayor of Greater Manchester
    9. The Hill — Labour’s Bev Craig is elected Greater Manchester mayor to succeed Andy Burnham
    10. Bloomberg — Labour Hold Manchester Mayoralty After Burnham Vacates Post
    11. The Telegraph — Labour wins Manchester mayoral by-election as voter turnout slumps
    12. BBC — Bev Craig: Who is the new Mayor of Greater Manchester?
    confidence 90%