The upcoming Mayoral selection for the newly structured Greater Lincolnshire authority on 1st May sees Dame Andrea Jenkyns, of Reform UK, stepping into the fray. Aged 50, the former Conservative MP, who resides in Boston, is no stranger to the local land, having spent her early years in East Halton and Healing before attending school in Cleethorpes. ‘Lincolnshire is my home, and its people, my people. I aim to rectify the injustices we’ve suffered,’ she stated. Dame Jenkyns has pledged to overhaul Lincolnshire’s transport system, stating that the dependence on cars for commuting is unnecessary. She plans to establish ‘Transport for Greater Lincolnshire’, focusing on improving buses, roads, and rail services, including crucial routes such as A15, A52, and A17. Another critical area of focus for her is affordable housing, stating that local families are being priced out and displaced – something she aims to change through initiatives like Homes4Heroes. In addition, she wants to ensure locals are prioritised over Whitehall’s targets. Dame Jenkyns is also keen on boosting local employment, planning to roll out a ‘Skills for Lincolnshire’ scheme, enhance adult education, and foster collaborations between colleges and local businesses. Environmental concerns are not lost on her, as she pledges to safeguard the countryside from detrimental planning decisions, including solar farms on prime agricultural land and unnecessary pylons. Finally, Dame Jenkyns aims to stimulate growth in Lincolnshire, stating, ‘It’s our turn to benefit from billions others have received’. She plans to launch a Business Start-Up and Growth Fund, support an AI and Defence Innovation Cluster, and advocate for significant inward investment.
This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.
