On April 25, 2025, a significant electoral dispute involving the Reform UK’s candidate for the position of mayor in Greater Lincolnshire concluded with favorable news for Dame Andrea Jenkyns. An electoral official determined that Dame Andrea had the right to participate in the upcoming mayoral election, thereby dismissing challenges regarding her eligibility. This announcement is pivotal for the context of the Greater Lincolnshire mayoral election scheduled for May 1.
The controversy revolved around whether Dame Andrea was appropriately listed on the electoral roll in Lincolnshire, which is a crucial criterion for any candidate aspiring to run in the election. Questions about her residency status emerged, with some voices raising concerns about whether she truly made Lincolnshire her primary home. However, an investigation by the electoral registration officer at North Kesteven District Council confirmed that her domicile was in Lincolnshire. The officer established that Dame Andrea was indeed using her residence there as her primary living address, thus affirming her eligibility.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns is not a newcomer to the political arena. Having previously served as a minister within the last Conservative government, she has returned to her roots in an attempt to assume a leadership role in her childhood home. Celebrating her connection to Lincolnshire, she remarked post-hearing, “From the start, this has been a political hit job aimed at smearing my candidacy.” Her pride in residing in Lincolnshire and her aspirations to serve as its mayor is well-articulated, as she expressed her commitment with the statement, “it would be the honour of my life to be mayor of the place I grew up in and live in.”
Per the guidelines issued by the Electoral Commission for candidates wishing to stand for election, individuals must either live or work within the area where they seek office, own or rent property, or be registered on the electoral roll. Dame Andrea registered at an address in Bassingham, a community located near Lincoln. Although she spends part of her time in Yorkshire, where her son is attending school, the electoral officer confirmed that there was no basis for claiming that she did not primarily reside in Lincolnshire.
Key to this matter is the electoral registration officer’s neutral stance. He clarified, “I do not make any determination that the subject was not entitled to be registered in respect of the address or has ceased to be resident at the address.” Consequently, Dame Andrea was deemed entitled to remain on the electoral roll at her Bassingham address. Further buttressing her candidacy, a recent YouGov poll indicated that she was leading in the race to become Greater Lincolnshire’s first-ever mayor, signaling a strong public support for her campaign.
Dame Andrea, who switched her political loyalty to Reform UK last year, has deep connections to Lincolnshire. Having moved there at the age of seven, her educational journey took her through Grimsby College and the University of Lincoln. Following her tenure as a council member in Lincolnshire, she transitioned to become the Conservative MP for Morley and Outwood in West Yorkshire in 2015, marking her diverse political career.
This electoral challenge and its resolution underscore larger themes in contemporary politics surrounding eligibility, residency, and the candidacy of women in leadership roles. As observers look forward to the Greater Lincolnshire mayoral election, the implications of this ruling and public perception of candidates will likely play crucial roles in shaping the political landscape in the region.
In conclusion, the dismissal of the challenge against Dame Andrea Jenkyns paves the way for a potentially transformative election in Greater Lincolnshire, emphasizing not only the importance of clear electoral guidelines but also reflecting the nuanced dynamics of local political candidates and their relationships with the communities they aim to serve.