Salford residents will head to the polls next month to vote in the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election – and the Reform UK candidate standing has been announced.
Sian Astley, the leader of the party’s group on Manchester City Council, has joined the growing list of contenders vying to succeed former mayor Andy Burnham.
Ms Astley, a Manchester University graduate who lives in Fallowfield, currently runs a design and property business and represents the Baguley ward on the council.
She won her seat on the authority in May in a ward which had been controlled by Labour for more than 50 years.
“I am delighted to be chosen as Reform UK’s candidate for Mayor of Greater Manchester – I am determined to improve communities and the lives of working people,” she said.
“Over the years, we have all seen our towns and areas across Greater Manchester decline, with high streets left unattended, unfunded and unloved. They need to be placed front and centre again.
“One of my first acts as Mayor will be to open up the books on contracts Andy Burnham awarded during his time as Labour’s Mayor, at least one of which was to a company which made substantial donations to his Mayoral campaign.
“Politics needs real people with real life experience. People like me.”
Ms Astley, who has appeared on television as a property market expert, said she had previously been a Labour voter in Manchester and feels the “vice-like grip” the party has held over Manchester has been “evident for decades.”
She claimed Labour has lacked transparency and shown “contempt for the voter” across their time in power.
Four other political parties have announced their candidates for the mayoral race, they are listed alphabetically here:
Geraldine Coggins, a Trafford councillor, is the Green candidate.
Bev Craig, the leader of Manchester City Council, is the Labour candidate.
Phil Eckersley, a Trafford Councillor, is the Conservative candidate.
Marlon West, a campaigner against sexual abuse, is the Restore Britain candidate.
