Key Points:
- The election took place on the Thursday 30th of July with results announced late Friday night after a second round of counting
- Bev Craig took the lead with 66% of votes in the second round against the Reform candidate Sian Astley
- Labour outperformed expectations following the defeat they suffered in the May 2026 local election where they lost council seats to the Reform and Green parties
A Rundown of How Election Day Progressed
Polling stations throughout Greater Manchester opened their doors to voters at 7am Thursday morning, closing at 10pm that evening. This election in particular was closely watched following Andy Burnham’s succession as Prime Minister earlier that month, it was seen as the first test of support for Labour and Andy Burnham’s rule. The supplementary vote system meant that voters could select both a first and second choice. In the first round of counting no candidate received more than 50% of first preference votes which meant a second round of counting took place with the top two candidates Bev Craig and Sian Astley, with the remaining candidates being eliminated.
The second round of counting was even more intense with the top two choices placed head-to-head and counting lasting all day and the winner was finally announced at 11pm that night. Labour took the lead by a clear margin with over 300,000 votes retaining a strong regional position despite the loses they suffered a few months prior.
Bev Craig’s Victory Speech: What has she promised for Manchester?
In her victory speech, Craig set the tone for her mayoralty, focusing on a message of unity within Greater Manchester and her role as representing all residents within the city. She expressed her strive to ensure every area within Greater Manchester benefits from future improvements and investments. She continued with high optimism, praising the success Manchester has already achieved within Andy Burnham’s mayoralty as well as celebrated historical achievements. She expressed her conviction in Manchester’s successful future despite its abonnement by Westminster during hard times, a conviction that she says will stand during her time as mayor. Craig shared the victory with the people of Manchester, praising the hard work and determination from communities throughout the city.
What can we expect now that Bev Craig is Greater Manchester Mayor?
The most likely outcome of Craig’s election is a clear continuity of the work Andy Burnham implemented during his time as mayor. Her biggest concerns, however, are public transport, affordable housing and a focus on neighbourhood policing. Craig has already promised to completely freeze the Bee Network fares and introduce free bus travel for young people ages 11-18. The bee network system has worked really well within Manchester and its expansion across to tram and train lines could prove even more beneficial for the city and its people. In terms of affordable housing Craig has consistently called for a push towards genuinely affordable homes, hence her pledge to deliver 50,000 council homes doesn’t come as a surprise.
An issue arises in terms of maintaining these council homes as affordable homes rather than simply social houses, something Craig will have to tackle during her time as mayor. Craig’s focus on neighbourhood policing is significantly influenced by her emphasis on young people and her proposal “Youth Promise” a strategy to ensure young people have access to education, training and employment which can only be maintained through a strong policing system.
What does Labour’s victory mean for the UK politics nationally?
Bev Craig’s victory gives Labour a massive boost, not only within Manchester but throughout the UK. Following earlier local elections in 2026 the worry towards Labour’s reducing power in Manchester increased, overshadowed by the rapid rise of the Reform party and its influence. Labour’s victory by a clear margin in this election, however, has proven that the difficulties they faced earlier in the year are reversable and the support for Labour in Greater Manchester and the UK has not been entirely diminished. With Andy Burnham now in office, Greater Manchester becomes an example case of Labour’s values and impact. The improvements implemented in Greater Manchester during Burnham’s mayoralty can theoretically be extended and expanded within his time as PM and the entire nation could benefit.
