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Reform UK selects Sian Astley as Greater Manchester mayoral candidate

Monday, 29 June 2026 15:48

By Adam Clark

Credit: Reform UK

Reform UK has announced Sian Astley as its candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election next month.

Astley is a Manchester City councillor for Baguley and leads the party's group on the council.

She is a graduate of the University of Manchester and lives in Fallowfield, where she runs a design and property business.

At the local elections in May, Astley was elected as Reform UK's councillor for Baguley in Wythenshawe, with a 400-vote majority. The party said the ward had previously been represented by Labour for 50 years. 

Setting out her priorities, Astley said she would examine contracts awarded during Andy Burnham's time as Mayor of Greater Manchester.

She said. "I am delighted to be chosen as Reform UK's candidate for Mayor Greater Manchester. I am determined to improve communities and the lives of working people.

"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."

Reform UK joins other political parties in announcing their candidates for this by-election, with the full candidate list due in the coming weeks. 

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