Dame Andrea Jenkyns, a former worker at Greggs and Miss UK finalist, has achieved a remarkable political milestone by winning the mayoral election for Greater Lincolnshire. Her election under the banner of Reform UK signifies a notable achievement for the party, marking its most significant office to date. In her victory speech, Jenkyns heralded this as a “new dawn in British politics,” pledging to revitalize the nation and return it to its “glorious past.” Notably, she triumphed by a staggering margin of over 40,000 votes against her Conservative opponent, a victory that resonates deeply with her personal journey, having previously been ousted as a Tory MP less than a year prior.
Dame Andrea’s rise is even more impressive considering her humble beginnings. She controls an annual budget of £24 million and now possesses authority over vital areas such as skills development, transportation, and economic growth in the Greater Lincolnshire region. Her victory is not only a personal success but also marks a significant political comeback, showcasing her resilience in a landscape fraught with challenges.
Her political journey began in 2009 when she first won a seat on the Lincolnshire County Council, narrowly defeating a candidate from the far-right British National Party (BNP). However, her initial tenure was short-lived as she had to resign after her job as a music tutor rendered her ineligible. Nevertheless, she prevailed in a by-election just afterwards, securing her position again over the BNP candidate, albeit by a mere 16 votes. Yet, in the following election cycle, she lost her seat to a candidate from the UK Independence Party (UKIP), which had been founded by Nigel Farage.
Jenkyns’s political career took a dramatic turn in 2015 when she shocked the political landscape by defeating the Labour Party’s shadow chancellor, Ed Balls, in the Morley and Outwood constituency with a narrow margin of just 422 votes. This unexpectedly significant win helped breaching Labour’s previously secure stronghold, known colloquially as the “red wall.” Upon her election, Jenkyns expressed her disbelief, noting that she was left “lost for words.”
Andrea Jenkyns, who was born in Humberside in 1974, began working right after school at the age of 16, transitioning from a Saturday assistant at a bakery to senior management levels. A trained opera singer, she also worked as a secondary school music tutor. In her 30s, motivated by ambitions for further education, she completed a diploma in economics from the Open University and later earned a degree in international relations and politics from the University of Lincoln by the age of 40. Her father, a lorry driver who owned his haulage business, played a significant role in her early aspirations by encouraging her participation in the Miss UK beauty contest.
Jenkyns was a passionate advocate for Brexit during her time in Parliament, offering robust criticism of former Prime Minister Theresa May’s approach to the UK’s departure from the European Union. In a notable exchange during Prime Minister’s Questions, she directly challenged May, asserting claims of failure in delivering promises and suggesting her resignation. Following May’s exit, Jenkyns maintained rapport with Boris Johnson, who later appointed her as an assistant government whip in 2021 and junior education minister a year after.
However, her career witnessed turbulence as well; her flamboyant personality got her into trouble when she was recorded giving the middle finger to protestors as Johnson resigned, resulting in public backlash. In response to the controversies, she defended her actions as a human reaction to abuse received over the years. In 2023, she was honored with a damehood as part of Johnson’s resignation honors.
Despite maintaining her ministerial position under Liz Truss, Jenkyns faced further challenges when she was dismissed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. After failing to secure re-election in the general elections of 2024, she revisited her political ambitions with the Reform UK party. Jenkyns expressed a desire for the Conservative Party to collaborate with Reform UK to avoid a Labour “supermajority.” With her background firmly established, she officially joined Reform UK and campaigned to become the mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, signifying a significant turnaround in her political trajectory.
Overall, Andrea Jenkyns’s journey from a bakery worker to an influential political figure serves as an inspiring narrative of resilience and adaptability in a turbulent political environment.