Who is Bev Craig? Manchester City Council’s new leader is announced

Bev Craig has been appointed as the new leader of Manchester City Council.

The local authority’s deputy leader was picked by Labour councillors in the city to succeed Sir Richard Leese, who is stepping down after 25 years at the top of Manchester politics.

Coun Craig’s success in the vote is a history-making moment for Manchester. Here’s why and what else we know about her.

Who is Bev Craig?

Coun Craig represents the Burnage ward on Manchester City Council as a Labour councillor.

Originally from Northern Ireland, the 36-year-old moved from Belfast to Manchester in 2003.

She studied politics and modern history at Manchester University, graduating in 2007, and then did a Master’s degree in political science and a PhD exploring class and diversity in politics.

She was first elected to represent Burnage ward in 2011 and in May this year was returned to the chamber with an enormous and increased majority.

She was appointed deputy leader of the council in May 2021, having served for four years prior to that as executive member for adult services, health, wellbeing and inclusion.

She also previously served as the deputy chair of Manchester Health and Care Commissioning and co-chair of the Manchester Local Care Organisation as well as playing a major role in the city’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Why is her appointment as leader historically significant?

Coun Craig’s success in the leadership campaign with 51% of the votes cast by Manchester’s Labour councillors is an historic moment.

She is the first woman ever to be chosen as leader of Manchester City Council.

As an openly gay woman she is also the first LGBTQ+ person ever to take on the prestigious position.

She will start in her new role when Sir Richard brings his stint at the political helm which has lasted a quarter of a century to a close on 1 December.

What has she said about becoming leader?

Coun Craig spoke on Twitter about her sense of pride and honour at stepping into the leader’s role.

She wrote: “Last night Manchester elected me as the new Leader of Manchester. I’m humbled to have the privilege to lead our fantastic city.

“Mcr Labour is strong & united. Manchester- We won’t let you down”.

She also commiserated with the other three candidates in the leadership race - Coun Luthfur Rahman OBE, Coun Garry Bridges and Coun Ekua Bayunu.

Which issues has she recently spoken about?

Coun Craig has recently been vocal about her and the council’s opposition to the Government removing the £20 uplift to Universal Credit.

She wrote a strongly-worded letter to the secretary of state at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Therese Coffey urging ministers to reconsider.

She said Manchester residents stand to lose some £59.6m from the cut, which comes into force today (Wednesday 6 October), and face an extremely tough winter financially.

She previously crossed swords with Ms Coffey online after the minister suggested the uplift was “about two hours’ extra work” per week.

She also recently backed Shelter’s campaign to build more social housing and give renters more rights.

Coun Craig ran for the leadership election on policies including improving road safety, reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, tackling the climate crisis and improving parks and green spaces and supporting the city’s network of community and grass-roots groups.