Reform UK's candidate to replace Andy Burnham as Mayor of Greater Manchester has defended voters concerned about immigration, insisting they are not 'nasty people or rampant racists'. Sian Astley made the comments during a hustings hosted by the Manchester Evening News on July 8, as seven candidates vie for the position in the July 30 by-election.
Immigration Debate Takes Centre Stage
Responding to a question on immigration, Ms Astley said: 'Uncontrolled immigration came up on the doorstep over and over and over again and it didn't come up from people who were nasty people or rampant racists.' She argued that residents are worried about the impact on housing, education, and health services, noting that while Manchester was 'built on fantastic immigration', current levels are putting pressure on the city's 20,000 household waiting list. She described the issue as 'the elephant in the room' that politicians must address honestly.
Green Party and Labour Respond
Green Party candidate Geraldine Coggins disagreed with Ms Astley's framing, stating that Reform UK has an 'agenda of hatred and division'—a claim Ms Astley denied. However, Ms Coggins acknowledged pressure on public services but attributed it to '15 years of Tory austerity cutting all our services', not migration. She added: 'We are living with the legacy of the communities that have come before us and this city region is so much better for that.'
Labour's Bev Craig echoed the sentiment, saying she was proud of a Greater Manchester built by immigrants. She stated: 'As Mayor you are not in charge of migration, you are in charge of keeping this place together, not pitted or divided against one another.' She called for honest discussions without pitting groups against each other.
Conservative and Liberal Democrat Views
Conservative candidate Phil Eckersley highlighted concerns over illegal immigration, noting that Trafford Conservatives have long campaigned against housing asylum seekers in two Trafford hotels, citing 'safety concerns'. Asylum seekers have since been moved out of one hotel. Mr Eckersley pointed to legal schemes welcoming Hong Kong, Afghan, and Ukrainian refugees, saying: 'People who come to Greater Manchester legally should be given the opportunity to have comfortable and affordable housing.'
Liberal Democrat Richard Kilpatrick echoed his party's policy, urging the government to allow asylum seekers to work, as 'they would work incredibly hard and they're desperate'. He praised the region's diversity, saying: 'If we could bottle up the diversity of this region and give it to the rest of the country, maybe we might be a little less divided.'
Restore Britain Candidate Faces Backlash
Restore Britain's Marlon West drew boos as he discussed his party's platform of mass deportation and an inquiry into grooming gangs. His daughter Scarlett, a victim of grooming gangs, waived her anonymity; her case featured in the Baird Inquiry, which found she 'went missing and was raped' in 2019. Mr West said: 'What I'd say is live my life for four years while your daughter is being raped. Go to Piccadilly Gardens at 12 at night. It's terrifying.' He criticised illegal immigration and HMOs where 'businessmen are making massive profits', adding: 'This needs to stop and for the safety of women and children, it has to stop now.'
