The Labour Party have confirmed that Bev Craig will run as their candidate in the upcoming Greater Manchester mayoral by-election.
Craig, 41, is the current leader of Manchester City Council, a position she has held since December 2021. She has served as the councillor for Burnage since 2011, and is also Greater Manchester’s Deputy Mayor for Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth.
After growing up on a council estate to a family who endured unemployment, ill health and financial hardship, Bev moved into the Greater Manchester City region aged 18, a decision she claims transformed her life.
Craig said: “Greater Manchester is a special place- from the Industrial Revolution, the trade union and co-operative movements and the suffragettes- this place has always fought for progress.”
She promises to build a Greater Manchester which works for everyone, with cheaper travel, more affordable housing, safer neighbourhoods, better high streets and world-class opportunities for people in all boroughs.
She criticised the Westminster establishment, saying that, whilst “it has left places like ours behind, Greater Manchester has taken control of our own future and we’ve started building our own success”.
She praised the previous mayor, Andy Burnham, saying that: “we have achieved so much- bringing buses back under public control, creating jobs, attracting investment and pushing Greater Manchester forward as a real powerhouse of the North West”. She added that there was still more work to do, going on to say that: “for too many people, who work hard and do the right thing, life still feels to hard and unaffordable”.
Craig insisted that, if she was elected mayor, she “will work everyday for us to make sure everyone shares in the success that Greater Manchester is building- making sure there’s more money in people’s pockets, pride in every town centre with a new High Street’s Fund, a new generation of council and affordable homes and an expanded Bee Network which freezes fares and that works for all of us.”
The Greater Manchester Mayoral Election comes following the resignation of Andy Burnham, which was triggered following his victory in the Makerfield by-election last Thursday. The election will take place on the 30th July, with the following individuals announced as candidates so far:
Marlon West- Restore Britain
Geraldine Coggins- The Green Party
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