Full Breakdown
Controversial Immigration Remarks Ignite Fury in Greater Manchester Mayoral Race
7/10/2026, 8:49:30 PM
Core Event
Reform UK’s Greater Manchester mayoral candidate, Sian Astley, a property businesswoman and leader of the Reform group on Manchester City Council, reiterated a Facebook post that suggested Green-voting constituencies, “uniparty” MPs and councillors should house “illegal criminals, rapists and economic chancers.” The remarks were made while promoting Reform’s policy that migrant detention centres would be built only in areas that elect Green representatives, sparking condemnation from Labour, the Green Party and other local politicians ahead of the 30 July mayoral by-election.
Background & Context
In May, Reform UK home-affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf announced that a Reform government would not locate immigration detention facilities in constituencies held by Reform MPs or councils under Reform control. Instead, the party proposed placing such centres in seats won by the Green Party, framing the plan as a democratic consequence of voters’ choices. Astley shared the policy on Facebook, adding her own “tongue-in-cheek” commentary.
Key Figures
- Sian Astley – Reform mayoral candidate, Manchester councillor for Baguley (elected with a 423-vote majority).
- Zia Yusuf – Reform home-affairs spokesman, architect of the detention-centre policy.
- Anna Turley – Labour Party chair, vocal critic of Astley’s comments.
- Bev Craig – Labour’s mayoral candidate and favourite to win the by-election.
- Green Party spokesperson – Responded to Astley’s remarks on behalf of the Greens.
Official Statements & Responses
Reform’s policy, outlined by Zia Yusuf, states that detention centres would be sited exclusively in constituencies that elect Green MPs or councillors, while Reform-held areas would be exempt. Labour chair Anna Turley described the proposal as “grotesque” and a betrayal of democratic principles, arguing it punishes communities based on voting patterns. The Green Party’s spokesperson said the comments “underlines the divisive nature of Reform,” accusing the party of lacking compassion and humanity. Astley, speaking to the Manchester Evening News, affirmed she stands by her statements and framed them as a reaction to “open-borders” rhetoric.
Criticism & Opposition
Labour and the Greens have both framed Astley’s remarks as inflammatory and antithetical to inclusive governance. Turley warned that the policy “rewards or punishes communities based on how they vote,” while the Green spokesperson called the stance “hatred and division.” Local activists and media commentators noted that the controversy could jeopardise Reform’s prospects in a diverse region with more than 2 million eligible voters.
Data & Statistics
- Election date: 30 July 2026 – Britain’s largest by-election by electorate size.
- Voter pool: Over 2 million eligible voters in Greater Manchester.
- Astley’s council win: 423-vote majority in the Baguley ward (May 2026).
- Reform’s recent performance: Gained 106 seats in the May local elections, including most of Wigan and Tameside.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources uniformly report Astley’s stance; no contradictory accounts of her comments appear. However, the precise mechanism for allocating detention centres—such as how “Green voters” would be identified and the legal feasibility of targeting specific constituencies—remains unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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.” — Anna Turley, Labour Party chair
- “If you are an advocate for open borders then you are opening up this country to exactly that - criminals, economic chancers, rapists,” — Sian Astley, Reform mayoral candidate
- “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.” — Sian Astley
- “This underlines the divisive nature of Reform. No compassion, no humanity, just hatred and division.” — Green Party spokesperson
What’s Next
The mayoral by-election will be held on 30 July 2026. Candidates, including Labour’s Bev Craig and Reform’s Sian Astley, will continue campaigning amid heightened scrutiny of immigration-related rhetoric. No further policy clarifications from Reform have been announced.
