Title: Dame Andrea Jenkyns Celebrates 100 Days as the First Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire
The former Conservative MP, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, has recently marked her 100th day in office, celebrating her milestone as the first Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire. Her election was among the striking triumphs for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party during the local elections held on 1st May. The party also managed to wrest control of the Lincolnshire County Council from the Tories.
Throughout her early tenure, Dame Andrea has been relentlessly driving initiatives to elevate the stature of Greater Lincolnshire, describing her efforts as ‘banging the drum’ for the region. Nonetheless, her lead has not been exempt from contention. Some critics, particularly those advocating for environmental policies, are sceptical of her stance against net zero propositions. They fear this could potentially impede investment into green energy schemes and put jobs across the region in jeopardy.
Senior figures from within Reform UK have openly sided with Dame Andrea’s stance against green energy projects, expressing their opposition during a press conference in Lincolnshire. Her likening of this position to historic struggles, akin to those faced by the Bomber Command during the Second World War, has further stimulated debate.
Despite facing criticisms, Dame Andrea is resolute in pursuing her objectives, which include championing a Grand Exhibit for Lincolnshire in October to encourage investment and trade. She is also promoting the idea of setting up a Lincolnshire Transport board to enhance the county’s infrastructure, with a focus on rural bus services. Another noteworthy project she is pushing for is the establishment of a Veteran’s Village in Lincolnshire, intended to provide support to former military personnel.
Commanding a four-year term alongside an annual budget of £24m, Dame Andrea is aiming to give Greater Lincolnshire’s economy a much-needed boost. Whether she is commended or confronted, her role is indisputably central to Reform UK’s goal of becoming an influential political power from merely being a protest party.
This article was adapted from original reporting by www.bbc.com by The Lincoln Post.
