New mayor pledges to 'go even further' than Burnham

Greater Manchester's new mayor has pledged to build on Andy Burnham's legacy in the region, and to "go even further".

Bev Craig succeeded Burnham in the role after he was elected as an MP in June, which paved the way for him to become prime minister in July.

Craig called for "a lot more powers" to be devolved from the government in Westminster, and claimed the UK is "still one of the most centralised countries in the western world".

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester for the first time since the 30 July mayoral election, she also addressed misogynistic, homophobic abuse she received online during the campaign, saying her sexuality was her "least interesting" trait.

The Labour candidate claimed victory in the mayoral by-election last week when she secured 309,525 votes over Reform's Sian Astley, who won 157,178.

On Thursday, she said succeeding a mayor who was "so popular that he went on to be prime minister" was "a great opportunity".

"It means we've been doing great things in Greater Manchester, and so my job is to build on the foundations which have been laid, and go even further," she said.

"Having Andy in Number 10 is a great opportunity and not for party politics, but for people in Greater Manchester, and I want to be the mayor that works with him."

However, despite Burnham's allegiances to Greater Manchester, Craig said more work had to be done to devolve power to the regional mayors.

"I think the reality is if you look at the powers we have been getting, we are still one of the most centralised countries in the western world," she said.

"Westminster has so much control in comparison to our neighbours, so there's a lot more power I want to see mayors get their hands on, like skills, transport and housing."

The new mayor also responded to the online abuse she had been subjected to during the election campaign.

"People have said stuff like this to me my whole life, but what what didn't defeat me at 14 in the playground isn't going to defeat me at 41 in politics," she said

"I want people not to judge me on my short hair or identity, but that as the mayor, I am the mayor for everyone.

"Hopefully, over the next 18 months people will see someone who fights for them, irrespective of who they are, but just because they want to make Greater Manchester better."

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