Belfast Native Bev Craig Elected Mayor of Greater Manchester in Historic By-Election Victory
Bev Craig, a Belfast native who grew up on a council estate in Greenisland, County Antrim, has been elected Mayor of Greater Manchester in the largest mayoral by-election in British history, succeeding Andy Burnham who departed to become Prime Minister — a result that places an Irish-born woman at the head of one of England's most powerful regional governments.
Background
Bev Craig was born and raised in Greenisland, a small town on the northern shore of Belfast Lough in County Antrim, and moved to Manchester in 2003 at the age of 18 to study politics and modern history at the University of Manchester. She remained in the city after graduating, building a career in local government that culminated in her election as leader of Manchester City Council in 2021 — the first woman to hold that office in the council's history.
The by-election was triggered by the departure of Andy Burnham, who had served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017 and who resigned from the post after winning a seat in the Makerfield constituency in June 2026 and subsequently becoming Prime Minister. Burnham's departure created a vacancy for the mayoralty of a region with a population of approximately three million people and an economy that is one of the largest outside London.
Craig was selected as the Labour candidate for the by-election and entered the campaign as the clear favourite, given Labour's dominance in Greater Manchester politics and her own profile as council leader. The election used the Supplementary Vote system, requiring candidates to secure 50% of the vote to win outright in the first round.
Key Developments
The by-election concluded on 30 July 2026, with the result declared on 1 August. Craig received 47.15% of the vote in the first round — short of the 50% threshold required for an outright win — before securing a total of 309,525 votes after the distribution of second preferences from eliminated candidates. Her nearest rival, Reform UK candidate Sian Astley, finished with 157,178 votes, a result that reflected the growing strength of Reform in parts of Greater Manchester but fell well short of what was needed to challenge Craig's victory.
Voter turnout was just under 25% from an eligible pool of over two million people — a figure that reflects the challenge of generating enthusiasm for a by-election in a region where Labour's dominance has made the outcome feel like a foregone conclusion. Craig acknowledged the turnout figure in her victory speech, pledging to work to reconnect Greater Manchester's residents with the democratic process.
In December 2025, Craig was awarded an OBE for her services to local government. Upon her election as mayor, she emphasised that her decisions would be focused on improving the lives of the three million residents of the Greater Manchester area, regardless of their political affiliation.
Why It Matters
Craig's election is significant for several reasons. She is the first woman to serve as Mayor of Greater Manchester, a role that carries substantial powers over transport, housing, policing, and economic development. She is also the most prominent Irish-born figure in British regional politics, and her success is a source of pride for the Irish community in Manchester and across Britain.
Her background — growing up on a council estate in Greenisland, moving to England at 18, and building a career in public service — is a story that resonates with the experience of many Irish emigrants who have made their lives in British cities. The Irish community in Manchester, which has deep roots dating back to the Famine era, has welcomed her election warmly.
Local Impact
In Greenisland and the wider Carrickfergus area, Craig's election has been celebrated as a source of local pride. North Antrim MLA Robin Swann and other local politicians have offered their congratulations, and the story has been widely covered in the Northern Ireland media. For the Irish community in Manchester, Craig's election represents a moment of genuine significance — the first time that someone born in Ireland has led one of England's major city-regions.
What's Next
Craig will be formally inaugurated as Mayor of Greater Manchester in the coming days and will immediately face a full in-tray of regional challenges, including the ongoing development of the Bee Network integrated transport system, the Greater Manchester housing crisis, and the region's economic development strategy. She has indicated that she intends to maintain the broad direction set by Burnham while putting her own stamp on the role, with a particular focus on social housing and public transport.
