Greater Manchester's mayor Bev Craig says PM's new powers will change lives

Bev Craig, the newly elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, has expressed strong optimism about the potential impact of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s efforts to devolve more powers to regional leaders. Following her victory in the recent by-election, Craig emphasized that transferring authority from Whitehall to local areas could significantly improve people’s lives. The by-election took place after Burnham resigned as mayor to become the Member of Parliament for Makerfield, winning the seat in June. At a Labour rally in Manchester, Craig and Burnham appeared together, underscoring their shared commitment to regional empowerment.

Craig, 41, secured a decisive win with 309,525 votes, far ahead of Reform Party candidate Sian Astley, who received 157,178 votes. She pledged to embrace the responsibilities associated with her new role and meet the challenges head-on, stating: “I will rise to his challenge about taking the power and control that he is offering mayors like me to make our regions better. Because that is what it is all about.” Her enthusiasm reflects a belief that these devolved powers can bring tangible improvements to Greater Manchester’s communities.

Andy Burnham has proposed a scheme to allocate a portion of income tax revenue to mayors of English city regions, marking a significant shift in governance designed to enhance local control. However, some opposition parties have criticized these plans as vague and potentially disadvantaging economically weaker areas. Despite this skepticism, Craig remains determined to drive progress and growth beyond what has previously been achieved. A primary focus of her tenure will be helping every child in Greater Manchester feel empowered to succeed.

The new mayor outlined several key campaign commitments, including freezing Metrolink and bus fares within the Bee Network and expanding free bus travel to include children aged 11 to 18, extending the current scheme that only covers 16 to 18-year-olds. Craig also promised to deliver 50,000 new homes over the next 15 years, combining council housing with genuinely affordable options, and to launch a £20 million initiative dedicated to revitalizing high streets. This scheme aims to support small businesses, repurpose empty units, and rejuvenate town centers across the region.

Burnham highlighted the broader vision of “Manchesterism,” a philosophy focused on devolution and taking control over essential services like housing and public transport. He encouraged Craig to push boundaries further, describing her as the “queen of the north” and affirming, “You are the right person to lead this great city region forward into its best decade ever, because that is what the next decade is going to be.” Craig’s roots trace back to a council estate in Belfast; she moved to Manchester in 2003 to pursue studies in politics and modern history at the University of Manchester, which has shaped her political journey.

Voter turnout in the by-election was under 25%, despite more than two million eligible voters across Greater Manchester’s ten boroughs. Sian Astley, although defeated, praised her campaign efforts and vowed to monitor the fulfillment of promises made during the election. With Craig’s leadership commencing, Greater Manchester looks set to embrace a new era of local governance and regional development

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