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‘This is the dream job’: Labour’s Bev Craig on the battle to be Manchester mayor

The Guardian Politics Sunday 26 July 2026, 06:00 UTC By Josh Halliday and Priya Bharadia 1 min read
Key Points

Polling puts close Burnham ally in lead as she aims to defeat Reform and draw back support from revitalised GreensBev Craig was mid-squat at the gym when she was recognised for the first time as the prospective heir to Andy Burnham’s throne. Until recently, the Manchester city council leader could happily have gone about her workout in peace. But all that changed when Burnham, who DJ’ed at her 40th birthday party last year, won the Makerfield byelection and set up another big electoral...

Polling puts close Burnham ally in lead as she aims to defeat Reform and draw back support from revitalised Greens

Bev Craig was mid-squat at the gym when she was recognised for the first time as the prospective heir to Andy Burnham’s throne. Until recently, the Manchester city council leader could happily have gone about her workout in peace.

But all that changed when Burnham, who DJ’ed at her 40th birthday party last year, won the Makerfield byelection and set up another big electoral contest on his way to becoming prime minister.

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Bev Craig (PERSON) Manchester (LOCATION) Burnham (ORG) Craig (PERSON) Andy Burnham’s (PERSON) Makerfield (PERSON)
Originally published by The Guardian Politics Read original →

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