Labour's Bev Craig Wins Greater Manchester Mayoral By-Election Over Reform UK

Labour's Bev Craig has won the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, succeeding Andy Burnham in a contest billed as the largest by-election in British political history, according to results announced after a marathon vote count.

Result details

Craig won 47.15% of first-round votes, falling just short of the 50% threshold needed to win outright, before prevailing comfortably over Reform UK's Sian Astley in the second round. The result was announced late on Friday night, more than 24 hours after polling stations closed.

• Bev Craig (Labour) wins with a majority over Reform UK in the second round
• Turnout estimated at roughly one in four of more than two million eligible voters
• Contest seen as the first electoral test since Andy Burnham's departure

Political implications

The victory offers relief to the Labour Party, which had faced growing pressure from Reform UK in recent regional and local elections across England. Party strategists described the win as evidence that Labour can still hold traditional strongholds despite a challenging national polling environment.

Reform UK, which has surged in recent English local elections, said it viewed the result as a step forward given the party's limited prior organisation in the region, while vowing to build further for future contests.

Political commentators noted the low turnout as a potential warning sign for both major parties, suggesting voter fatigue after a string of elections in the region over the past year, including May's local polls.