Story perspectives

Reform Candidate Demands Greens Host Criminals, Rapists

7/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Reform UK mayoral candidate Sian Astley reiterated on Facebook that Green voters should house criminals, rapists and chancers.
She is contesting the Greater Manchester mayoral election after Andy Burnham’s resignation.
Reform spokesman Zia Yusuf said a government would place detention centres in Green constituencies, not in Reform seats.
A Green Party spokesperson said Astley’s remarks lack compassion and she will disclose contracts awarded by Andy Burnham if she wins.

History

Historical Context

Michael Howard introduced the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, which Parliament passed on 3 November 1994 to curb illegal raves after the 1992 Castlemorton festival, defining a prohibited gathering as 20 or more people. The act marked a ‘tough-on-crime’ shift that later underpinned Conservative plans for new detention centres, a strategy now echoed by Reform UK’s Sian Astley in targeting Green Party seats.

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Story summary

Reform UK mayoral candidate Sian Astley reiterated on Facebook that Green voters should house criminals, rapists and chancers.
She is contesting the Greater Manchester mayoral election after Andy Burnham’s resignation.
Reform spokesman Zia Yusuf said a government would place detention centres in Green constituencies, not in Reform seats.
A Green Party spokesperson said Astley’s remarks lack compassion and she will disclose contracts awarded by Andy Burnham if she wins.

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