Bev Craig has secured victory in the Manchester mayoral race, positioning herself as a prominent Labour figure outside of national parliamentary politics. The election, held following Andy Burnham's departure to pursue a parliamentary career, saw Craig win with 66.3 percent of the vote after the distribution of second preference ballots. Despite a low turnout of under a quarter of the electorate, the result represented a success for Labour amidst broader council losses.
Craig, 41, who previously served as the leader of Manchester City Council for five years, takes control of a £3 billion budget. Her responsibilities encompass housing, health, policing, and transport across the Greater Manchester region. Her supporters credit her with being instrumental in Burnham's previous successes in the region. "A lot of Andy’s legacy is her legacy," stated Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership.
Craig, who was born in Northern Ireland, has expressed a desire for greater fiscal devolution for the region and has indicated support for exploring wealth tax models. "I can say to you straight up that I think of course we need to look at models of wealth tax," she stated when questioned about potential wealth taxes. She has also shown interest in reconsidering elements of the HS2 rail project, suggesting a modified approach could avoid past mistakes.
Her political background includes support for former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's 2015 leadership campaign. However, she also worked closely with Andy Burnham in the North West, fostering an alliance that insiders suggest will benefit her current role. One associate noted that Craig was often more concerned with the practical implications for Greater Manchester than with public declarations that deviated from the party line.
Craig's personal journey, from growing up on a council estate outside Belfast to earning a PhD on class and diversity in parliament, has been a recent focus. She has spoken about her father's struggles with alcoholism and his subsequent sobriety, highlighting the importance of choices and personal conviction. She stated that her mother advised her to share her life experiences to help people understand her perspective. Craig first came to Manchester to study politics and modern history at university, working part-time jobs before entering local politics in 2011. She succeeded Sir Richard Leese as leader of Manchester City Council in 2021, following his 25-year tenure.
Despite the challenges of the low turnout, Craig expressed determination in her victory speech. "I am honoured, I am humbled, and I stand ready to serve the three million people that live across this fantastic city region,” she said. She added, “I never believed as a girl growing up on a council estate that one day I would have a chance to stand for the place that I love.”
