Former Conservative MP Dame Andrea Jenkyns has made headlines with her transition to Reform UK, affirming her candidacy for the position of Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire in the upcoming elections scheduled for May 2025. This significant shift comes after her defeat in the recent parliamentary elections held in July, where she lost her seat representing the constituency of Leeds South West, a newly drawn area. The former MP has expressed a sense of disillusionment with the Conservative Party, which she describes as “beyond salvage,” indicating her belief that the party has strayed from its foundational values.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns had a robust political career, having served as a Conservative MP for Morley and Outwood from 2010 until 2024. However, the seismic changes within the party and her recent electoral defeat led her to reassess her political affiliations. In her public statements, she praised Reform UK, referring to its members as “patriotic bravehearts” who are poised to provide the “fresh start” the nation desperately requires. This assertion underscores her newfound alignment with the party’s objectives, which are rooted in a patriotic vision for Britain.
This departure from the Conservatives is particularly notable as it coincides with a broader trend in British politics. Boris Johnson’s government has faced considerable scrutiny, and the party’s recent internal conflicts seem to have galvanized figures like Dame Andrea to seek alternative political homes. In her remarks, she highlighted her past loyalty to the Conservative Party while admitting that it has become “tired.” Her commitment to party loyalty had previously restrained her from openly aligning with Reform UK sooner, even as she admired its leadership under Nigel Farage.
Farage, the charismatic leader of Reform UK, has recently announced that his party’s membership now surpasses 100,000. This boost in membership is reflective of a growing political movement, with the party preparing to contest an impressive 2,200 candidates in the upcoming county council elections. Farage emphasized the necessity for Reform UK to secure “hundreds of seats,” positioning the party as a significant player within British politics ahead of the crucial election year of 2025. Notably, despite only securing five parliamentary seats in the last general election, the party managed to attract over four million votes, placing it solidly in third behind Labour and the Conservatives.
Previously known as the Brexit Party, Reform UK emerged from a nationalist stance aimed at fulfilling the British public’s desire for a definitive departure from the European Union. The party’s evolution has drawn in former Conservative members and those dissatisfied with the direction of the mainstream parties. With figures like Jenkyns, who vocally supported party unity against a potential Labour “supermajority,” the dynamics within the British political landscape are shifting.
However, not all transitions within the party have been smooth. Just prior to Jenkyns’ announcement, Ben Habib, the former deputy leader of Reform UK, departed from the party, citing “fundamental differences” with Farage, particularly regarding Brexit strategies and migration policies. Habib emphasized the need for a more robust approach to migration, advocating for measures such as mass deportations, which contrasts sharply with Farage’s policies.
Dame Andrea’s public journey is emblematic of a broader narrative within the Conservative Party and its splinter factions. Having previously supported Boris Johnson, she openly criticized Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and pushed for leadership changes reflecting her frustrations with the party’s current trajectory. Her decision to align with Reform UK highlights both her personal convictions and the larger shifts occurring within British politics as various factions vie for influence and relevance in a changing electoral landscape.
