Bev Craig, the newly elected mayor of Manchester, has attributed her political philosophy to her upbringing in Northern Ireland, stating it has informed her desire to be a "mayor for everyone." Craig, who moved to Manchester in 2003 to study at the University of Manchester, noted that her experiences in Northern Ireland taught her the value of seeking allies in unexpected places to overcome division and cynicism.
"Northern Ireland has taught me that sometimes to break division, to break through cynicism and barriers, you've got to look for those allies in unexpected places and find common ground," Craig said.
Craig grew up in Greenisland, outside Belfast, and explained that it was during her university years that she became acutely aware of financial disparities and unequal opportunities. This realization, she said, significantly influenced her political journey.
"It was only really as I got older and as I went to university that I realised that we didn't have much money and we didn't have the same opportunities as people," Craig stated. "And I think that's really shaped my political journey and why I'm in politics."
While she described her upbringing as being in a "proud community," Craig found a greater sense of home and belonging in Manchester. She shared that her family, including her mother and sisters, remain proud of her achievements, with her father having passed away over a year ago. Craig mentioned that her family, particularly her cousins, help keep her grounded.
"My mum always watches the news to see if anything's happened, and my two sisters and nephew are really proud," she added. "I lost my dad just over a year ago and I'm sure he'd be incredibly proud. But they also keep me grounded."