- Labour's Bev Craig is widely predicted to win the Greater Manchester mayoral election, with a poll suggesting she will defeat Reform's Sian Astley 65 per cent to 35 per cent in the second round.
- The election, which uses the supplementary voting system, is for the successor to Andy Burnham, who recently became Prime Minister, and is expected to go to a second round for the first time in the region's history.
- Ms Craig, the first female and LGBTQ+ leader of Manchester City Council, is considered a protégé of Mr Burnham, having worked closely with him and benefiting from a 'Burnham bounce' due to his new national role.
- Her campaign combines continuity with new policies, such as extending free bus passes to 11- to 16-year-olds, and she aims to win back voters by addressing grievances and improving their lives.
- If elected, Ms Craig intends to leverage her relationship with Prime Minister Burnham to demand greater devolved powers for Greater Manchester, particularly in areas like post-16 skills, housing, and revitalising high streets.
IN FULL
