Reform UK's candidate for the upcoming mayoral election, Sian Astley, has launched her campaign manifesto, pledging to be the 'Mayor for all of Greater Manchester'. Astley, who leads the Reform group on Manchester Council after being elected as a councillor in the Baguley ward with a 423-vote majority in May, is among seven candidates running to replace Andy Burnham as Mayor of Greater Manchester in the by-election on July 30.
Key Pledges and Controversies
In an interview with the Manchester Evening News, Astley stood by controversial 'tongue in cheek' comments suggesting that Green voters, 'uniparty' MPs and councillors should house 'illegal criminals, rapists and economic chancers'. The manifesto focuses on 'spreading wealth, investment and growth to the outer boroughs and towns' of Greater Manchester, with promises to 'reverse Labour's taxes, work to stop the region becoming a dumping ground for illegal migrants, and make Greater Manchester Police the toughest force in Britain'.
Specific Policy Proposals
The manifesto includes plans to slash spending on little-used cycle lanes, reveal how many hotels and HMOs are housing migrants, triple police stop and search powers, review the Clean Air Zone, and release all files on grooming gang enquiries going back at least 40 years. It also proposes free Bee Network travel for 16-18 year olds, support for extending the Metrolink to Stockport, and a review of 'pointless' ANPR cameras. Astley vowed to 'go to war' with vape shops and 'dodgy' barbershops.
Astley's Vision for Greater Manchester
Astley stated: 'I love Manchester. That's why I have been here for over 35 years. The successes we have achieved and our great Northern spirit are unrivalled, but the reality is that too many residents across Greater Manchester simply haven't shared in the city centre's growth.' She criticised Labour for focusing on Manchester's city centre while neglecting outer boroughs like Bolton and Wigan, which face potholes, antisocial behaviour, and an influx of asylum seekers. 'Since our devolution settlement in 2017, Central Manchester has grown at triple the rate of the rest of Greater Manchester. That just isn't right,' she added.
Detailed Manifesto Commitments
The Reform UK manifesto outlines several specific commitments: cutting waste on cycle lanes and DEI projects; reversing the Mayor's tax increase; revealing migrant housing locations and shutting down migrant hotels; creating the 'toughest police force' through stop and search, increased city centre police presence, and zero tolerance on drugs; reviewing the Clean Air Zone and scrapping net zero measures; splitting regeneration spending proportionally; building affordable homes on brownfield sites; establishing a new police unit to pursue grooming gang perpetrators and expose enablers; publishing all contracts above £1 million; and providing free travel for 16-18 year olds while supporting Metrolink expansion.
