Bev Craig

When people ask what’s the difference between you and Andy - there’s loads of differences. But I am standing as my own person, with my own ideas, and I’ll be accountable to this region, and to no one else.

Because that is what it is all about.

I will rise to his challenge about taking the power and control that he is offering mayors like me to make our regions better.

For a prime minister two weeks in, to start giving powers out of Whitehall and putting it in the places that can make a difference - that can change our lives.

So it's absolutely fantastic that in two weeks since becoming prime minister, he's coming good on his long-standing beliefs around power and control.

I've long argued, as did Andy before he became prime minister, that Greater Manchester should have more power and more control.

I am standing as my own person, with my own ideas, and I’ll be accountable to this region, and to no one else.

We will work together, we will do it together, we will deliver it together and we will build a Greater Manchester that works for all of us, that we are all part of, where everyone feels welcome and everyone has the chance to succeed.

So, the hard work begins. I’ve done it with a promise and a plan, and my promise to you is that I will leave this city region better.

Every single decision I take, as your Mayor of Greater Manchester, will pass the test of making your life better.

I never believed as a girl growing up on a council estate that one day I would have the chance to stand for the place that I love.

To have trust placed in you is an honour. I’m honoured, I’m humbled and I stand ready to serve the three million people that live across this fantastic city region.

They voted for Greater Manchester to build on the legacy that we’ve created together, but they voted to reject the division and the dividing lines that people put in our communities.

(People) that want to put more money in their pockets. That want to make life easier, that are on their side, and I’m excited to get stuck in.

Fantastic people doing incredible things against the odds every single day – rejecting the politics of hate but standing with their neighbours, looking out for each other

Move away from divisive politics that try to pit neighbour against neighbour

We have to move away from divisive politics, and we'll do it together.

Everyone deserves a quality home in a good neighbourhood.

For too many people across our region, life is simply too hard. The generational belief that we had, that if you work hard and do the right thing, your life will be better and the life of the community will be better, is something that…

I'm honoured, I'm humbled and I stand ready to serve the three million people that live across this fantastic city region. I will serve every single one of them, every single day.

I will defend this city region with every bone in my body and I will fight for a better life for all of us.

Today – I hope that you will put your trust in me, and vote Labour. I promise I will not let you down.

Only if we keep moving forward together, face up to our biggest challenges, and make life better for everyone. That's why, today, I am asking for you to choose hope and vote Labour.

Bev Craig insisted the region’s “best days are still ahead of us” as polling stations opened at 7am on Thursday in the mayoral contest that was triggered last month.