Labour's Bev Craig has been elected the new mayor of Greater Manchester, succeeding Andy Burnham. The by-election was triggered after Burnham's election as MP for Makerfield in June, which paved the way for his subsequent appointment as prime minister.

Craig, who has led Manchester City Council since 2021 and served as deputy mayor for economy, business, and inclusive growth for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, secured victory after the second-preference votes were counted. The election process was necessary as no candidate achieved an outright majority in the first round of voting.

In the final tally, Craig defeated Reform UK candidate Sian Astley with 309,525 votes to Astley's 157,178. Craig had initially secured 47% of the first-preference votes, with Astley receiving 21%. The remaining votes were then redistributed based on voters' second preferences.

Craig stated her commitment to making every decision with the goal of improving the lives of Greater Manchester's residents. She expressed a desire to defend the city region and fight for a better future for all its inhabitants, acknowledging the crucial role of second-preference voters in her success.

"I'm honoured, I'm humbled and I stand ready to serve the three million people that live across this fantastic city region," Craig said in her acceptance speech. She emphasized that "for too many people across our region, life is simply too hard" and that the traditional belief in a better future through hard work is not being felt by many.

Craig also highlighted the need for quality housing and the ability for residents to plan for their futures. She called for a move away from divisive politics, advocating for a collective approach to progress. The election saw a turnout of just under 25%, with over two million people eligible to vote across the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester.

Analysis of the first-round results indicated that Craig led in all 10 local authority areas. Astley was the second-highest in eight areas, while the Green and Conservative candidates secured second place in Manchester and Trafford, respectively. Labour's deputy leader, Lucy Powell, congratulated Craig on her "fantastic" election.

Craig's win marks a significant moment for the Labour party in the region, as she takes on the leadership role previously held by Burnham. Her immediate focus is expected to be addressing the economic and social challenges facing Greater Manchester.