Reform UK select property expert and businesswoman Sian Astley as Greater Manchester mayoral candidate

Sian Astley is currently the leader of the Reform UK group on Manchester City Council.

Reform UK has announced their candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoral election.

Businesswoman and property expert Sian Astley says she would “open up the books on contracts Andy Burnham awarded during his time as Labour’s Mayor” if she is elected.

Ms Astley, who lives in Fallowfield, is currently the leader of the Reform UK group on Manchester City Council.

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She was elected as a councillor for Baguley, in Wythenshawe, during the local elections in May with a 423 vote majority, ahead of Labour’s Paul Andrews. Baguley was previously held by Labour for 50 years.

Ms Astley has promised to place towns and areas across the city region “front and centre” if she becomes Greater Manchester mayor.

“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,” 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.”

“Politics needs real people with real life experience. People like me,” she added.

A graduate of Manchester University, Ms Astley runs a design and property business. She has appeared regularly on television and in print as an expert on the property and renovation industry as well as landlord-related issues.

Voters are due to go to the polls on Thursday July 30.