Reform UK Candidate Launches Campaign with Pledges on Contracts, Grooming Gangs, and Housing
Sian Astley, who entered politics in May 2024, has launched her campaign for the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election with a promise to “open up the books on contracts Andy Burnham awarded during his time as Labour’s Mayor” if elected. She also intends to review decisions made by the former mayor regarding inquiries into grooming gangs. Her first priority is a region-wide assessment of Greater Manchester’s social housing stock, citing her experience as a long-standing landlady who believes too much social and rented accommodation is substandard.
Astley, a newly-elected councillor for Baguley and Reform campaigner, says her recent experience has given her further insight into what she deems unacceptable living conditions. She is a builder and interior designer, known for appearances on television series such as Your Home Made Perfect, Getting the Builders In, and Property Ladder.
From Labour Voter to Reform Candidate: A Shift in Allegiance
Astley, once a Labour voter, explains her change in allegiance: “I just got to the end of my tether with the existing politics.” She recalls being “really excited” about Tony Blair’s 1997 government but says over the last 30 years, things have gotten worse for ordinary people, citing the cost of living, housing, and high streets. She joined Reform UK about 18 months ago, deciding to “stop shouting at the telly” and get involved.
In May’s local elections, she won a seat in Baguley with a 423-vote majority, ahead of Labour’s Paul Andrews. Two months later, she was announced as Reform UK’s candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election.
Manifesto Promises: Immigration, Policing, and Grooming Gang Files
Astley’s manifesto for Greater Manchester includes promises to “spread wealth, investment and growth to the outer boroughs and towns,” “reverse Labour’s taxes,” stop the region becoming a dumping ground for illegal migrants, and make Greater Manchester Police “the toughest force in Britain” by targeting vape shops and “dodgy” barbershops. She also pledges to slash spending on cycle lanes, reveal how many hotels and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) are housing migrants, triple the use of police stop and search powers, launch a review into the Clean Air Zone, and release “all files” relating to grooming gang enquiries “going back at least 40 years.”
Astley says Labour has failed to tackle immigration, calling the city-region a ‘haven’ for illegal migrants. She acknowledges her words ‘devastate’ some people but insists public services, infrastructure, and housing are at breaking point. “It’s about basic maths,” she says. “You can’t have 20,000 people on the housing register in Manchester alone and then say, ‘But of course, we have to keep taking in everybody from across the world.'”
Controversial Comments on Migrant Detention Centres
In May, Astley shared a Reform UK policy on Facebook stating that detention centres would be built in constituencies that elect Green voters. She commented: “How very democratic a policy. You get what you vote for. Personally I’d just ensure the Green voters, uniparty MPs (present or past) and Cllrs house the illegal criminals, rapists and economic chancers, so it’s nice of Reform UK to offer to build accommodation instead.” She stands by those comments, saying if someone advocates for open borders, they should “put your money where your mouth is.”
Grooming Gang Inquiries: Calls for Full Transparency
Astley promises to release files about grooming gangs, saying former mayor Andy Burnham did not go far enough with his three inquiries. She claims redacted documents failed to give victims and campaigners full confidence. “They don’t feel that there has been full transparency,” she says. “These are girls and families whose lives were destroyed. And it wasn’t dealt with at the time because of political correctness.” She aligns with campaigner Maggie Oliver, saying if Oliver says it’s not good enough, she is with her.
Police and Crime: Support for Chief Constable Stephen Watson
Astley says Greater Manchester Police should support her plans and that Chief Constable Stephen Watson “had better not stand in my way.” She acknowledges Watson is “making all the right sounds” but needs to go further, calling for wider operations against counterfeit goods, more beat bobbies, ring-fenced neighbourhood policing funding, and a clear timetable for GMP exiting special measures. She says Watson is not in her “firing line.”
Housing: A Passion for Fixing the System
As a landlady with 17 small flats across three properties, Astley is passionate about housing. She says the private rented sector has been “absolutely battered by legislation and taxation” and is expected to take on responsibility divested by social homes. Her day one promise as mayor is a city region-wide assessment of all social housing, creating a “dashboard” to track what’s being built, where, and who it’s for. She believes more housing is needed because “immigration is so high.”
Reform’s Prospects and Nigel Farage’s Leadership
Despite Reform’s local election gains, the party failed to win parliamentary by-elections in Gorton, Denton, and Makerfield. Astley says support is widespread but concedes the Greens came through “powerfully” in Gorton and Denton. In Makerfield, she says voters wanted Keir Starmer out and saw voting Andy Burnham as the fastest way. Regarding Nigel Farage’s finances, she says the “establishment are absolutely terrified of Reform” and that supporters are “right behind Nigel.” She dismisses scrutiny of Farage’s finances, saying the Parliamentary Standards Commission will investigate after the Clacton by-election.
