Key facts
- Reform UK candidate Sian Astley has been criticised for comments suggesting voters for other parties should house criminals and rapists.
- Astley shared a Reform UK policy to place migrant detention centres in areas controlled by the Green party.
- She added that Green voters, MPs, and councillors should house 'illegal criminals, rapists and economic chancers'.
- Labour chair Anna Turley condemned the remarks as a 'grotesque policy' showing contempt for voters.
- Astley stood by her comments, linking open borders to crime and defending her 'tongue in cheek' suggestion.
Sian Astley, the Reform UK candidate for Greater Manchester mayor, has faced significant criticism for her remarks suggesting that voters for opposing parties should be responsible for housing criminals and rapists. Astley initially shared her party's policy, announced by spokesperson Zia Yusuf, which proposes placing migrant detention centres in areas represented by Green party MPs or controlled by Green councils. Astley added her personal view that "Green voters, uniparty MPs (present or past) and Cllrs house the illegal criminals, rapists and economic chancers." Labour party chair Anna Turley criticised the policy and Astley's comments, calling it a 'grotesque policy' that demonstrated Reform's contempt for voters and a betrayal of democratic principles. Rather than retracting her statements, Astley doubled down, telling the Manchester Evening News that those who advocate open borders are exposing the country to crime and defended her 'tongue in cheek' comment. The mayoral byelection is scheduled for July 30, with Labour's Bev Craig considered the favourite. Astley, a property businesswoman and leader of the Reform group on Manchester city council, was previously featured on BBC programmes before entering politics. Her opponents believe her comments could harm her chances in the diverse Greater Manchester region.