In a significant political turnaround, Dame Andrea Jenkyns has been declared as the Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, standing in representation of Reform UK in a position that now stands as their most prominent political appointment. Labelling it as a ‘fresh chapter in British politics’, Jenkyns has vowed to ‘restore Britain to its illustrious history’, having triumphed over the Tory candidate by a considerable 40,000 votes. This achievement signals a distinguished comeback for Jenkyns, an ex-Tory MP who has previously overcome various political challenges. From her humble beginnings as a Greggs bakery employee and Miss UK finalist, she now administers a £24 million annual budget managing expertise in areas like skills, transport, and economic development.
The political voyage of Jenkyns kickstarted in 2009 when she was elected to the Lincolnshire County Council. She initially lost the position due to a minute issue but soon reclaimed it. Her political trajectory took a considerable surge in 2015 when she dismissed shadow chancellor Ed Balls, shaking the Labour stronghold in Morley and Outwood. Known for her modest beginnings as a ‘resolute Yorkshire lady’, Jenkyns climbed her way from a Saturday shop assistant to a senior management role before transitioning into politics. Her father’s support, and later his demise, inspired her to pursue a political career.
A hardline Brexit advocate, Jenkyns was openly critical of Theresa May’s approach to the EU departure and later became a supporter of Boris Johnson, serving in his administration. Following a series of political setbacks, which included the loss of her parliamentary seat in the 2024 general election, Jenkyns joined Reform UK, a party spearheaded by her former political opponent, Nigel Farage. Her appointment as the Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire underscores a remarkable revival, reinforcing her reputation for resilience and versatility.
This story has been amended by The Lincoln Post from the original report given by www.bbc.com.
