Labour wins the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election as Bev Craig defeats Reform UK and succeeds Andy Burnham. The contest follows Burnham’s resignation as mayor, after his parliamentary election win last month, which opened a route to his bid for No. 10, according to multiple reports. Across outlets, Craig is described as a Manchester city council leader and Labour’s candidate. Results reported by the BBC and others show Craig secures a decisive margin over Reform UK’s Sian Astley, with Reform presented as the main challenger. Several sources characterize the result as a Labour hold on a key regional role and note that the race is seen as politically significant for the governing party’s standing with voters. The campaign is also repeatedly linked to the period after the “Burnham bounce,” with outlets describing Labour as regaining or strengthening support in areas where Reform had made gains. Some reporting notes that the result was declared more than a day after polling closed, citing a long count before confirmation. Overall coverage agrees on the outcome: Craig becomes mayor, maintaining Labour’s control of Greater Manchester’s mayoralty.