Reform mayoral candidate described education sessions on ‘challenges facing trans people’ as ‘indoctrination’
Reform England’s candidate for mayor of Greater Manchester has come under fire after describing training sessions on the challenges faced by transgender people as “brainwashing”, it has been revealed. Independent to show.
Posting on her official Facebook page, Sian Astley, who runs a design and property business, slammed what she described as “aggressive transgender ideology” and said it would “have no place” in Greater Manchester if she won the mayoral election.
LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall accused Ms Astley of treating transgender people like a “political football” and called on all political leaders to work to create a “safe and equal world”; The LGBT Foundation said his comments contradicted Greater Manchester’s proud history as a “safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ+ people”.
In the articles he saw Independent, Ms Astley also said it was “wonderful” that Nigel Farage had a £5m “cash” and said she did not care about the £5m gift Thai billionaire Christopher Harborne gave her ahead of the 2024 general election – currently the subject of a parliamentary indecency inquiry.
Ms Astley wrote: “I don’t care if Nigel Farage is given £5million and uses it to keep himself and his family safe for the rest of his life. Let me be clear, I don’t care if he gets death threats, I don’t care about donations. It’s great he gets it. I have no jealousy, anger or concern about it.”
He added: “I can understand why Nigel Farage needs daily protection from the madness of the far left. It is the fault of weak British politicians who have not put the British people at the center of their decision-making that politics has come to this point.”
“The divisions don’t stem from the Reformation, they go back decades. May it all be sorted out, God willing, I hope so, we’ll make a good move on that. And if Nigel has money enough to keep himself safe, that’s fine with me.”
His remarks came despite parliament’s standards commissioner launching an investigation following allegations that Mr Farage failed to declare the donation. If found to have breached the rules, the Reform leader could face sanctions including suspension from the House of Commons.
In posts about women’s spaces, he said: “As Mayor, I will always put the safety of women and girls first. Women’s spaces will always be protected, and aggressive trans ideology that demands otherwise will have no place in the GMCA under my administration.”
“If you are a woman in Manchester you should know that Labor is a threat to your spaces and your safety. Bev Craig [Labour’s mayoral candidate] He believes that a man can only become a woman by identifying with himself.
“Last year’s Supreme Court decision was a defining moment for protecting women’s spaces, but Labor cannot be trusted to support it in Manchester.”
He added: “Under the leadership of Bev Craig, Manchester City Council declared that ‘trans women are women’ and pressured councilors to attend brainwashing sessions about the ‘challenges faced by transgender people’.
“We support all residents to make their own life choices, but not at the expense of women’s safe spaces.”
Ms Craig is the leader of Manchester City Council and the Labor candidate for Mayor of Manchester.
A spokesperson for Stonewall said: “Once again we see the lives of trans+ people being used as an unacceptable political football. We need to be honest about the facts: the data shows that it is predominantly heterosexual men who perpetrate violence against women.”
“To suggest otherwise perpetuates a narrative that harms everyone, undermines effective policymaking, and does nothing to achieve the common goal of ending violence against all women and girls, including the LGBTQ+ community.
“Stonewall works to create a safe and equal world for all lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer+ people to live, work and thrive. We should expect leaders from across the political spectrum to do the same.”
A spokesperson for the LGBT Foundation said: Independent: “Greater Manchester’s recognition as a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ+ people is more than a source of pride, it is part of the city’s DNA.
“With Sparkle, the world-famous Gay Village and one of the UK’s biggest Prides, a national celebration of trans lives and communities that continues to grow every year, and a thriving network of industry-leading LGBTQ+ charities and grassroots organisations, Greater Manchester has built a legacy of activism, visibility and community that continues to shape it today.
“This is a legacy that builds on our history and heritage, and we believe it will continue into the future.”
According to Suicide Prevention UK, 48 per cent of all trans people in the UK have attempted suicide at least once in their lives. Meanwhile, a survey conducted by campaign group TransLucent found that 85 per cent of trans women reported being subjected to transphobic street harassment by strangers, while 71 per cent of trans men and 73 per cent of gender non-binary people said the same.
Ms Astley previously sparked controversy when she said Green voters, ‘one-party’ MPs and councilors should accommodate “illegal criminals, rapists and economic opportunists” and insisted open borders advocates were “opening this country to criminals, economic opportunists, rapists”.
And he said those who attacked him for his “wrong language” comment were “angry about the wrong thing.”
The Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, due to take place on 30 July, was called after Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election, forcing him to resign as mayor.
Reform UK has been contacted for comment.
