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Bev Craig Wins Manchester Mayor Race, Secures Transport Pledge

8/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Labour candidate Bev Craig won the Manchester mayoralty with 309,525 votes, defeating Reform candidate Sian Astley’s 157,178 votes.
Craig secured the win after receiving enough second-preference votes to exceed the 50 % threshold.
Minister Andy Burnham said mayors will receive a share of income-tax revenue.
Craig pledged to freeze public-transport fares, extend free bus travel to 11- to 18-year-olds, build 50,000 homes and launch a £20 million high-street scheme.

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Story summary

Labour candidate Bev Craig won the Manchester mayoralty with 309,525 votes, defeating Reform candidate Sian Astley’s 157,178 votes.
Craig secured the win after receiving enough second-preference votes to exceed the 50 % threshold.
Minister Andy Burnham said mayors will receive a share of income-tax revenue.
Craig pledged to freeze public-transport fares, extend free bus travel to 11- to 18-year-olds, build 50,000 homes and launch a £20 million high-street scheme.