Reform UK candidate stands by comments on housing migrants for non-Reform voters
7 reported
Reform UK’s Greater Manchester mayoral candidate Sian Astley has been criticized by rivals after she doubled down on comments suggesting that voters who do not support Reform should house criminals and rapists. Astley initially made the remarks in a Facebook post sharing her party’s pledge to prioritize placing migrant detention centers in areas with a Green party MP or council control. She wrote that Green voters, “uniparty MPs,” and councilors should house “illegal criminals, rapists and economic chancers.” Labour party chair Anna Turley criticized the policy as “grotesque” and a betrayal of democratic principles. Astley later told the Manchester Evening News she stood by her comments, describing them as “a little bit of tongue in cheek.” The mayoral byelection is scheduled for 30 July, with Labour’s Bev Craig considered the favorite.
What’s reported
Sian Astley is the Reform UK candidate in the Greater Manchester mayoral race.
She shared a Facebook post about a Reform policy to place migrant detention centers in areas with a Green MP or council control.
Astley wrote: “Personally I’d just ensure the Green voters, uniparty MPs (present or past) and Cllrs house the illegal criminals, rapists and economic chancers.”
Labour chair Anna Turley criticized the policy as “grotesque” and a “betrayal of basic democratic principles.”
Astley told the Manchester Evening News she stood by her comments, calling them “a little bit of tongue in cheek.”
The mayoral byelection is on 30 July; Labour candidate Bev Craig is the favorite.
The contest was triggered after Andy Burnham won the Makerfield parliamentary byelection.
Key figures
Sian Astley, Reform UK candidate for Greater Manchester mayor
Anna Turley, Labour party chair
Bev Craig, Labour candidate for Greater Manchester mayor
Andy Burnham, winner of Makerfield byelection
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK home affairs spokesperson
Robert Kenyon, Reform UK candidate in Makerfield byelection
Sources: The Guardian
