Reform UK launches Greater Manchester mayoral manifesto with tax, policing and transport pledges

Reform UK has launched its manifesto for the Greater Manchester mayoral election, setting out proposals on policing, transport, housing, migration and council tax.

The party says its plans are aimed at spreading investment and economic growth across all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester.

The manifesto was unveiled today, Monday 13 July, by Reform UK mayoral candidate Councillor Sian Astley, who represents the Baguley ward on Manchester City Council.

Among the party's headline pledges are reversing increases to the mayoral precept, expanding police powers, investing more evenly across Greater Manchester's boroughs and reviewing transport and housing policies introduced under previous administrations.

Reform UK says it would seek to reverse what it describes as a 44 per cent increase in the mayoral precept by reducing spending in areas including diversity, equality and inclusion programmes, environmental initiatives and cycle infrastructure.

On policing, the party has pledged to increase the use of stop and search, strengthen enforcement against shoplifting and drug offences, establish a specialist unit to investigate historic child sexual exploitation offences and publish files relating to grooming gang investigations where legally possible.

The manifesto also includes proposals to review Clean Air Zone related spending, oppose any future charges on motorists, encourage quicker pothole repairs and support extending the Metrolink network to Stockport. Reform UK has also committed to free Bee Network travel for 16 to 18 year olds.

Housing proposals include prioritising development on brownfield land, carrying out a Greater Manchester wide audit of brownfield sites and using existing housing investment funds to increase the supply of affordable homes.

The party also says it would commission an independent forensic audit of the Greater Manchester Housing Investment Loan Fund and publish contracts and loan agreements worth more than £1 million held by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester.

Councillor 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.

"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."

The next Greater Manchester mayoral election will determine who leads the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and oversees responsibilities including policing, transport, housing and economic development across the city region.