Emotions ran high at Manchester's full council meeting on July 15, 2026, as Green Party leader Astrid Johnson faced accusations of comparing Reform UK councillors to Nazis during a debate on the far-right. The city solicitor was forced to intervene after Reform UK group leader Sian Astley objected to Johnson's remarks.
Green Leader's German Upbringing Sparks Controversy
During a discussion about the far-right, Johnson, who is German-born, spoke about the fragility of democracy. She said: 'As a German, I am constantly reminded that democracy is far more fragile than we would all like to believe. Fascism didn’t arrive at once, but once democratic institutions begin to weaken, change can happen very quickly.'
Johnson warned about changes in language that precede extremism, stating: 'One of the first warning signs is a change in our language. It began with minorities being divided into us and them, with minorities being blamed for problems they did not create. Suspicion was becoming normal, prejudice acceptable, and exclusion became Reform’s ‘common sense’ politics.'
She then asked: 'We should ask at what point slogans like ‘Stop the boats’ and ‘Put British people first’ lead to the German unwertes Leben: ‘life unworthy of life’. Because the Nazis did not initially use that kind of extreme language. This is why I find this current political climate so troubling.'
Accusation and Denial
Sian Astley, Reform UK group leader, immediately responded: 'Comparing Reform councillors to Nazis is out of order.' Johnson strongly denied the claim, saying: 'I’m not comparing you to Nazis.' Astley insisted: 'Yes you were.'
The city solicitor stepped in, urging Johnson to 'be mindful of your language' and 'be aware of the observation that Councillor Astley has made'. Johnson then apologised, clarifying: 'I am so sorry, and the next point actually clarifies that, I really don’t want to compare, I’m just mindful of where this can lead to. Because my next point was that Britain today is not like Germany in the 1930s. History never repeats itself in exactly the same way. But history does leave warnings when words that once belonged only to the political extremes become part of everyday political conversation.'
Earlier Tensions and Mayor Race
The meeting had already seen tensions earlier when Sian Astley, who is running for Greater Manchester mayor, was shut down during a speech for using the council chamber as a political platform, apparently referencing former mayor Andy Burnham. Reform UK Councillor Dylan Evans noted that Labour Councillor Pat Karney wore a t-shirt with Burnham's face, saying: 'I find it a bit odd that we’re allowed to praise him and wear a t-shirt of him, but not criticise him.'
The meeting was later adjourned while the city solicitor spoke to the Reform UK group after they questioned a speech by Councillor Richard Kilpatrick, a Lib Dem also running for mayor. Bev Craig, Labour leader and mayoral candidate, did not attend. By the final motion, all Reform UK councillors had left the chamber.
