Reform U.K. have released their manifesto this morning with Greater Manchester candidate Sian Astley focusing on spreading wealth, investment and growth to the outer boroughs and towns.
The document sets out a clear plan to reverse Labour’s taxes, work to stop the region becoming a dumping ground for illegal migrants, and make Greater Manchester Police the toughest force in Britain.
Cllr Sian Astley, who represents the Baguley ward on Manchester City Council, has also promised to expose the controversial luxury developer contracts.
These contracts saw £600 million of the £1 billion deployed under the Housing Investment Loan Fund go to one single developer, delivering just 500 affordable homes of the 11,000 that were built.
Sian has further laid out a plan to release the grooming gang files and right the wrongs of Andy Burnham, who was accused of having “turned away” from grooming victims by Maggie Oliver during his time as Mayor.
Cllr Sian Astley said:
“I love Manchester. That’s why I have been here for over 35 years. The successes we have achieved and our great Northern spirit are unrivalled, but the reality is that too many residents across Greater Manchester simply haven’t shared in the city centre’s growth.
“Labour keeps telling us how incredible Manchester is, full of shiny new skyscrapers, but people in places like Bolton and Wigan see their tired high streets, their roads scattered with potholes and out-of-control antisocial behaviour. Their boroughs take more than their fair share of incoming asylum seekers and migrants, stretching housing to breaking point. They wonder why Manchester’s success hasn’t come to them.
“Since our devolution settlement in 2017, Central Manchester has grown at triple the rate of the rest of Greater Manchester. That just isn’t right. Our boroughs deserve flourishing town centres, safe and inspiring hubs for young people and equal standards across housing, health and transport.
“I want to see prosperity in every postcode, and investment in town centres and high streets across our city region. With me, residents will get a Mayor for all of Greater Manchester. Not just for Central Manchester.”
Among the many pledges Reform UK are saying they will reverse the 44 per cent increase in the mayoral precept, end spending on DEI projects such ‘equality panels’ and funding for ‘greener future’ programmes and slash spending on little-used cycle lanes that make life more difficult for drivers
They have committed to free travel for 16-18 year olds on the Bee Network and they pledge to work with Greater Manchester council leaders to abolish 20 mile-per-hour speed limits, with the exception of around schools
More controversially they are committing to publishing in full every loan agreement, decision record and contract above £1 million held by the Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester and will commission an independent forensic audit of the Housing Investment Loan Fund and the Renaker loans, and of every major contract awarded to parties connected to the previous Mayor, his office or his family.
