Reform UK candidate stands by comments on migrant detention and voters
7 reported
The Reform UK candidate in the Greater Manchester mayoral race, Sian Astley, has been criticized by rivals after she defended comments suggesting that voters for other parties 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 it was “very democratic” and that she would “ensure the Green voters, uniparty MPs and Cllrs house the illegal criminals, rapists and economic chancers.” Labour party chair Anna Turley criticized the policy as “grotesque” and a “betrayal of basic 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 promoting a Reform policy to place migrant detention centers in areas with a Green party MP or council control.
In the post, she wrote that Green voters and “uniparty MPs” should house “illegal criminals, rapists and economic chancers.”
Labour chair Anna Turley called the policy “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’s Bev Craig is the favorite.
The byelection was triggered after Andy Burnham won a parliamentary byelection in Makerfield.
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, former Greater Manchester mayor
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK home affairs spokesperson
Robert Kenyon, Reform UK candidate in Makerfield byelection
Sources: The Guardian
