Labour's Bev Craig has been elected as the new Mayor of Greater Manchester, taking over from Andy Burnham. The by-election was triggered after Burnham was elected as the Member of Parliament for Makerfield in Greater Manchester.
Craig secured victory over Reform UK's Sian Astley, winning 309,525 votes to Astley's 157,178 after second-preference votes were counted. The outcome was not decided in the first round, as no candidate achieved an outright majority.
Craig, who has led Manchester City Council since 2021, also serves as the Greater Manchester Combined Authority's deputy mayor for economy, business and inclusive growth. She has been described as the UK's first female metro mayor.
"I will defend this city region with every bone in my body and I will fight for a better life for all of us," Craig stated after her win. She expressed gratitude to the residents of Greater Manchester, acknowledging those who voted for her and those who offered their second-preference votes. "I'm honoured, I'm humbled and I stand ready to serve," she added.
First-preference votes saw Craig receive 46.5% of the ballots, with Sian Astley of Reform UK securing 22.2%. The Green Party's Geraldine Goggins garnered 12%, while Conservative Phil Eckerlsey received 7.6%.