Reform Greater Manchester candidate criticised over migrant rapists comments

Sian Astley, the Reform UK candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoral race, has faced criticism from her rivals for doubling down on comments that voters for other parties should have to house criminals and rapists. Astley, a property businesswoman, initially made the remarks in a Facebook post sharing her party's pledge that a Reform government would prioritise placing migrant detention centres in areas with a Green MP or controlled council.

The policy, announced in May by the party's home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf, would ensure no such facilities in areas with a Reform-controlled council or MP. Astley posted: "How very democratic a policy. You get what you vote for." She added: "Personally I'd just ensure the Green voters, uniparty MPs (present or past) and Cllrs house the illegal criminals, rapists and economic chancers, so it's nice of Reform UK to offer to build accommodation instead."

Labour chair Anna Turley criticised Astley, saying Reform's "grotesque policy" revealed contempt for all voters. Turley said: "By backing this proposal, Reform's candidate has shown she shares Nigel Farage's view that communities should be rewarded or punished based on how they vote. Threatening to punish places where people don't vote your way is a betrayal of basic democratic principles."

Rather than backing down, Astley told the Manchester Evening News this week she stood by her comments, insisting those advocating open borders were opening the country to "exactly that – criminals, economic chancers, rapists". She said her comment was tongue-in-cheek: "So, I'm sorry, but if people are attacking me for being angry about that, and for suggesting that – a little bit of tongue in cheek 'well if you voted for it why don't you have it?' – comment, then really they're getting angry about the wrong thing."

Labour's candidate Bev Craig is the favourite to win the mayoral byelection on 30 July. The contest was triggered after Andy Burnham won the parliamentary byelection in Makerfield and is expected to become Labour leader and prime minister. Astley, leader of the Reform group on Manchester city council, was seen as a strong choice when unveiled last month. She featured on BBC One's DIY SOS and BBC Two's Your Home Made Perfect before politics. Reform's candidate in Makerfield, Robert Kenyon, faced misogyny accusations over past comments. Astley's opponents believe her immigration and voter comments could cost her in diverse Greater Manchester, where over 2 million people are eligible to vote.