Who is Bev Craig? Meet Andy Burnham’s ‘protégé’

• The Greater Manchester mayoral election is taking place following the previous mayor, Andy Burnham, becoming Prime Minister, triggering the largest by-election in British history.
• Labour candidate Bev Craig, currently leader of Manchester City Council, is widely predicted to win, benefiting from a “Burnham bounce” in national polls.
• Craig, the first female and LGBTQ+ leader of Manchester City Council, has worked closely with Burnham and is seen as his protégé.
• She plans to offer a blend of continuity with Burnham's policies, such as extending free bus passes, while asserting her own leadership style.
• If elected, Craig intends to demand greater devolution of powers for Greater Manchester from Prime Minister Burnham, particularly in areas like skills and housing.

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Bev Craig: Andy Burnham’s ‘protégé’ who wants to be more powerful than he was