Bev Craig OBE, leader of Manchester City Council, is leveraging her upbringing on a council estate in Northern Ireland to position herself as the candidate who understands the region's diverse communities in the race to become Greater Manchester's next mayor. Craig, who grew up in Greenisland, eight miles outside Belfast, argues that her background gives her an edge in connecting with people living on the outskirts of Manchester.
Background and Upbringing
Craig describes her childhood on a council estate where amenities were limited to a chippy, a library, a shop, and a GP surgery. "You're surrounded by fields, you've got to walk along the seafront," she said. Going into Belfast was "a bit like going to the Moon," and her mother still avoids the city unless necessary. Craig's father was a mechanic who struggled with health and odd jobs after an accident, while her mother worked in a post office, factory, and as a classroom assistant. "We didn't call ourselves poor," she said. "It wasn't until I went to university that I realised that maybe we didn't have as much money as everyone else."
Connection to Greater Manchester Communities
Craig sees parallels between her hometown and Greater Manchester's towns and villages plagued by unemployment, poverty, and poor housing. She feels more akin to places like Chadderton than Chorlton, and Denton than Didsbury. "I'll never go into a community and call them poor," she said, emphasising that every community has strength. Her goal is to change the perception that such areas are a burden rather than having much to offer.
Political Journey and Achievements
Craig arrived in Manchester at age 18 with "no money, no friends and no connections" but found the city helped her thrive. As council leader for five years, she oversaw the biggest house building scheme in a generation, reduced homelessness and child poverty, and served as deputy mayor for economic and inclusive growth. She was the first in her family to pass GCSEs and had no expectation of a job beyond retail or factory work.
Mayoral Ambitions and Policy Priorities
Craig is not daunted by following Andy Burnham, whom she describes as genuinely caring. She envisions a "dream team" with Burnham as Prime Minister and herself as mayor, pushing for more devolved powers from day one. Her priorities include expanding the Bee Network, freezing fares, introducing more bus routes and night buses, and bringing trains under public control. She also aims to extend the 'Our Pass' free bus travel scheme to all 11-to-18-year-olds. "Not all roads should lead to the city centre," she said, focusing on orbital routes like Rochdale to Bolton.
Addressing Key Issues
Craig promises to invest in high streets through the Good Growth Fund, ensure affordable housing through flagship building programmes, and support renters. She commits to holding hospitality summits in each borough to discuss business rates and VAT, and to focus Greater Manchester Police on neighbourhood policing and tackling anti-social behaviour. On rough sleeping, she says local leaders are "on the cusp" of the next phase of A Bed Every Night to ensure no veteran sleeps on the streets.
Political Strategy and Collaboration
Reflecting on Labour's losses in May's local elections, Craig said people didn't feel change quickly enough. She stressed the need for Labour to learn lessons but expressed confidence in a different political landscape. She emphasises collaboration across parties, pointing to her work with Conservative government, Stockport Lib Dem leader, and Bolton's Conservative group. "This is about politicians coming together to make the place better," she said, noting Manchester's tradition of negotiating the best deal from whoever is in power.
Personal Qualities and Public Perception
Craig acknowledges she is seen as serious but rejects being called boring. She hopes the campaign shows her authentic self: "the Bev on the hockey pitch, the Bev that walks her dog, the Bev that has normal mates that aren't in politics." She draws on her upbringing to connect with people who feel unheard, aiming to put more money in pockets and make life more affordable and enjoyable.
