Andrea Jenkyns

{{about|the British politician|the American politician|Andrea Jenkins}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = Dame

| name = Andrea Jenkyns

| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|DBE}}

| image = Official portrait of Mrs Andrea Jenkyns MP crop 2.jpg

| status =

| office = Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire

| alongside =

| 1blankname =

| 1namedata =

| leader =

| term_start = 6 May 2025

| term_end =

| predecessor = Office established

| successor =

| office1 = Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills{{efn|Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills, Further and Higher Education July to September 2022.}}

| alongside1 =

| 1blankname1 =

| 1namedata1 =

| leader1 =

| term_start1 = 9 July 2022

| term_end1 = 25 October 2022

| predecessor1 = Michelle Donelan{{efn|As Minister of State for Higher and Further Education. She assumed responsibilities for Skills from Alex Burghart.{{cite web |title=Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Skills) – GOV.UK |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/parliamentary-under-secretary-of-state-for-skills--2 |access-date=12 October 2022 |website=www.gov.uk}}}}

| successor1 = Robert Halfon

| office2 = Member of Parliament
for Morley and Outwood

| predecessor2 = Ed Balls

| successor2 = Constituency abolished

| primeminister1 = Boris Johnson
Liz Truss

| termstart2 = 7 May 2015

| term_end2 = 30 May 2024

| office3 = Member of Lincolnshire County Council
for Boston North West

| term_start3 = 4 June 2009

| term_end3 = 2 May 2013

| predecessor3 = Andrew Bakewell

| successor3 = Tiggs Keywood-Wainwright

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|6|16|df=y}}

| birth_place = Beverley, Humberside, England

| death_date =

| death_place =

| residence = London, England

| party = Reform UK (from 2024)

| otherparty = Conservative (until 2024)

| spouse = {{marriage|Jack Lopresti|2017|reason=div}}|

| children = 1

| alma_mater = University of Lincoln (BA)
Open University (Dip)

| website = {{URL|dameandreajenkyns.com|Official website}}

| caption = Official portrait, 2020

}}

Dame Andrea Marie Jenkyns {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|DBE}} (born 16 June 1974) is a British politician who has been the Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire since May 2025. A member of the Reform UK party, she was previously the Conservative Party Member of Parliament for Morley and Outwood in West Yorkshire, England from 2015 to June 2024.

Jenkyns was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Morley and Outwood at the 2015 general election, defeating Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls.{{cite news|title=Elections 2015 – Morley & Outwood|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000826|access-date=8 May 2015|work=BBC News|archive-date=8 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508050357/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000826|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Andrea Jenkyns: About the woman who toppled Ed Balls|url=http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/update/2015-05-08/andrea-jenkyns-about-the-woman-who-toppled-ed-balls/|date=8 May 2015|access-date=8 May 2015|work=ITV News|archive-date=10 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510233724/http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/update/2015-05-08/andrea-jenkyns-about-the-woman-who-toppled-ed-balls/|url-status=live}} She was an advocate for the Eurosceptic organisation Leave Means Leave and a strong critic of Theresa May's handling of Brexit during her leadership of the Conservative Party.{{cite web |url=http://www.leavemeansleave.eu/who-we-are/ |title=Co-Chairmen – Political Advisory Board – Supporters |publisher=Leave Means Leave |access-date=14 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024153425/http://www.leavemeansleave.eu/who-we-are/ |archive-date=24 October 2017 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/video/andrea-jenkyns-is-a-long-standing-critic-of-the-prime-minister-11714665|title=Andrea Jenkyns is a long-standing critic of the prime minister|date=8 May 2019|website=Sky News|access-date=24 May 2019|archive-date=27 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627072307/https://news.sky.com/video/andrea-jenkyns-is-a-long-standing-critic-of-the-prime-minister-11714665|url-status=live}} Jenkyns served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills from July to October 2022, as part of the governments of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. She was later dismissed by the following Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. She failed to win re-election to the successor seat of Leeds South West and Morley at the 2024 general election.{{cite news |title=Leeds South West and Morley – General election results 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001324 |access-date=18 July 2024 |work=BBC News }}

Jenkyns was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2023 in the Resignation Honours List of former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

She left the Conservative Party for Reform UK in November 2024, announcing her candidacy for Reform in the 2025 election for the newly created Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire.{{cite web |title=Former Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns joins Reform UK |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy48el5jqwo |website=BBC News |access-date=6 January 2025 |date=28 November 2024}}

Early life

Jenkyns was born on 16 June 1974{{Cite tweet |number=1802380421562306943 |user=andreajenkyns |title=Thinking of my amazing Dad on Fathers Day as I celebrate my 50th birthday... |date=16 June 2024}} in Beverley, Humberside.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025|reason=Beverley?}} After leaving school at 16, she worked at the Greggs bakery.{{cite news|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/andrea-jenkyns-success-risk-for-farage-3673443|title=Why Andrea Jenkyns's success is a risk for Farage|work=The i Paper|date=3 May 2025|last=Robson|first=Steve}} When she was 18, Jenkyns' father sent her photo off to a beauty pageant, and she eventually reached the final of Miss UK.{{cite news|last=Scott|first=Caroline|title=Relative Values: Andrea Jenkyns, Tory MP, and her mum, Valerie|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/relative-values-andrea-jenkins-tory-mp-and-her-mum-valerie-b9d83m9cj|work=TheTimes|date=20 March 2016|access-date=27 March 2018|url-access=subscription|archive-date=27 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327023614/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/relative-values-andrea-jenkins-tory-mp-and-her-mum-valerie-b9d83m9cj|url-status=live}} In her late thirties, Jenkyns studied for a diploma in economics from the Open University before studying for a degree in international relations from the University of Lincoln.{{cite news |last1=Nevett |first1=Joshua |title=Andrea Jenkyns: First Reform UK mayor has knack for bouncing back |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm25qjj4284o |work=BBC News |date=2 May 2025}}

Jenkyns is a former member of Lincolnshire County Council for Boston North West.{{cite web|url=https://www.lincolnshireworld.com/news/former-boston-councillor-andrea-jenkyns-and-new-husband-nicknamed-son-brexit-clifford-the-day-he-was-born-717055|title=Former Boston councillor Andrea Jenkyns and new husband 'nicknamed son Brexit Clifford the day he was born'|date=4 January 2018 |publisher=Lincolnshire World|accessdate=28 November 2024}}

Parliamentary career

Following an open primary in 2013, Jenkyns was selected to contest the Morley and Outwood parliamentary seat as the Conservative candidate.{{cite news|last=Bloom|first=Dan|title=Andrea Jenkyns ousts Ed Balls: Everything you need to know about Tory who defeated Labour giant|date=8 May 2015|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/andrea-jenkyns-ousts-ed-balls-5658859|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=12 May 2015|archive-date=10 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510172116/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/andrea-jenkyns-ousts-ed-balls-5658859|url-status=live}} In the 2015 general election, she was elected with a slim majority of 422 votes, unseating Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/E14000826|title=Morley & Outwood parliamentary constituency – Election 2019|access-date=23 December 2019|archive-date=28 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428083704/https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/E14000826|url-status=live}} From July 2015, she sat on the Health Select Committee.

Jenkyns supported Brexit in the 2016 EU membership referendum{{cite web |date=16 February 2016 |url=http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/ |title=Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence? |work=Blogs.spectator.co.uk |access-date=3 April 2017 |archive-date=3 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203120144/http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/ |url-status=live}} and was a member of the Exiting the European Union Select Committee from 2016 to 2019.{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/michael-gove-is-back-as-he-lands-key-role-overseeing-brexit-10633328|title=Michael Gove lands key role overseeing Brexit|date=26 October 2016|publisher=Sky News|access-date=29 April 2017|archive-date=28 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428025902/http://news.sky.com/story/michael-gove-is-back-as-he-lands-key-role-overseeing-brexit-10633328|url-status=live}} Jenkyns stated that she was willing to vote against the government if it brought forward to the House of Commons the Chequers plan on Brexit.{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tory-mp-planning-to-bring-down-theresa-may-chequers-deal-2018-10 |title=Inside the meeting of Tory MPs planning to bring down Theresa May's Brexit plan |website=Business Insider |access-date=25 October 2018 |archive-date=17 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017143045/http://uk.businessinsider.com/tory-mp-planning-to-bring-down-theresa-may-chequers-deal-2018-10 |url-status=live}}

In the 2017 general election, Jenkyns increased her vote share by 11.8%, though only increased her majority to 2,104 as Labour's vote share also increased. Both were helped by the lack of a UKIP candidate in her constituency.{{cite news|url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/politics/labour-gain-in-leeds-as-student-vote-and-corbyn-effect-topples-long-serving-lib-dem-1-8586232|title=Labour gain in Leeds as student vote and 'Corbyn effect' topples long serving Lib Dem|work=Yorkshire Evening Post|date=9 June 2017|access-date=11 June 2017|archive-date=13 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613000207/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/politics/labour-gain-in-leeds-as-student-vote-and-corbyn-effect-topples-long-serving-lib-dem-1-8586232|url-status=live}}

Jenkyns is a Trustee and the voluntary Regional Representative for the charity MRSA Action UK, having joined following the death of her father from MRSA.{{cite web|url=http://www.morleyandoutwoodconservatives.org.uk/person/andrea-jenkyns|title=Andrea Jenkyns|website=Morley and Outwood Website|access-date=12 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518082357/http://www.morleyandoutwoodconservatives.org.uk/person/andrea-jenkyns|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead}}

In May 2018, Jenkyns quit her role as a PPS in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in order to focus on fighting for Brexit.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-44244395|title=Aide quits government 'to fight for Brexit'|date=25 May 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=7 June 2018|archive-date=7 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180607145249/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-44244395|url-status=live}} In July 2018, after David Davis resigned from the Cabinet, Jenkyns called for the Prime Minister Theresa May to be replaced, saying: "Theresa May's premiership is over."{{cite web|url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/07/top-uk-brexit-officials-resign-in-blow-to-theresa-may.html|title=Top Brexit Officials Resign in Blow to Theresa May|work=New York Daily Intelligencer|date=9 July 2017|access-date=8 August 2018|archive-date=30 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730181435/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/07/top-uk-brexit-officials-resign-in-blow-to-theresa-may.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/brexit/2018/0709/977344-brexit-british-government/|title=May to fight any leadership challenge after resignations|work=Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE)|date=9 July 2017|access-date=8 August 2018|archive-date=9 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709153655/https://www.rte.ie/news/brexit/2018/0709/977344-brexit-british-government/|url-status=live}} Jenkyns called on May to return to her Lancaster House speech, stating "Prime Ministers keep their jobs when they keep their promises".{{cite news|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2018/09/30/may-urged-to-chuck-chequers-by-tory-brexiteers/|title=May urged to 'chuck Chequers' by Tory Brexiteers|work=Shropshire Star|access-date=5 October 2018|archive-date=5 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005195017/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2018/09/30/may-urged-to-chuck-chequers-by-tory-brexiteers/|url-status=live}}

She submitted a formal letter to the 1922 Committee requesting a vote of no confidence in Theresa May as leader of the Conservative Party; at that time letters from 48 MPs were required to trigger a vote of no confidence.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/07/13/conservative-mps-asked-withdraw-letters-demanding-vote-confidence/ |title=Conservative MPs asked to withdraw letters demanding a vote of confidence in Theresa May |last=McCann |first=Kate |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=13 July 2018 |access-date=13 July 2018 |archive-date=13 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713075348/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/07/13/conservative-mps-asked-withdraw-letters-demanding-vote-confidence/ |url-status=live}} Following this, Iain Dale put her on his annual Top 100 Most Influential Conservatives of 2018 List.{{cite web|url=https://www.iaindale.com/articles/the-top-100-most-influential-conservatives-of-2018|title=The Top 100 Most Influential Conservatives of 2018|website=Iaindale.com|date=October 2018 |access-date=5 October 2018|archive-date=5 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005194727/https://www.iaindale.com/articles/the-top-100-most-influential-conservatives-of-2018|url-status=live}}

In May 2019, Jenkyns received media attention for her appearance on the BBC's Politics Live show, as she was unable to name any countries that trade solely with the EU using World Trade Organization (WTO) terms.{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/andrea-jenkyns-brexit-tory-mp-wto-rules-countries-bbc-politics-live-video-501634|title=Brexiteer Andrea Jenkyns unable to name countries that trade solely with EU on WTO rules|website=inews.co.uk|date=21 May 2019|access-date=23 September 2019|archive-date=23 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923160224/https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/andrea-jenkyns-brexit-tory-mp-wto-rules-countries-bbc-politics-live-video-501634|url-status=live}}

Jenkyns has received a number of death threats, largely as a result of her stance on Brexit.{{cite news |url=https://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news/politics/andrea-jenkyns-mp-told-to-just-kill-herself-in-office-graffiti-1-10034055 |title=Andrea Jenkyns MP told to 'just kill herself' in office graffiti |work=Wakefield Express |date=4 October 2019 |access-date=24 October 2019 |archive-date=5 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005092536/https://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news/politics/andrea-jenkyns-mp-told-to-just-kill-herself-in-office-graffiti-1-10034055 |url-status=live}} In 2018, she received a threatening and sexually explicit email calling for her to be cut with barbed wire and die. In the summer of 2019, a person was taken to court for threatening to "rip" her face off. In October 2019 she discovered graffiti on the wall of her office calling for her to kill herself.

In October 2019, Jenkyns stated her opposition to Britain's sugary drink tax, arguing instead for "better education, better labelling [and] parental responsibility".{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politics/two-yorkshire-mps-hit-out-at-the-nanny-state-they-say-is-stripping-away-individual-choice-and-responsibility-1-10027928 |title=Two Yorkshire MPs hit out at the 'nanny state' they say is stripping away individual choice and responsibility |newspaper=Yorkshire Post |date=2 October 2019 |access-date=24 October 2019 |archive-date=4 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004033046/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politics/two-yorkshire-mps-hit-out-at-the-nanny-state-they-say-is-stripping-away-individual-choice-and-responsibility-1-10027928 |url-status=live}}

In November 2019, Jenkyns received a campaign donation declared at £2,000 from the Brexit advocate and Leave.EU funder Arron Banks.{{cite web |date=5 February 2020 |title=Arron Banks donated £2,000 to Tory Andrea Jenkyns's campaign |url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/05/arron-banks-donated-2000-to-tory-andrea-jenkyns-campaign |access-date=13 July 2022 |website=The Guardian}} Banks was barred from membership of the Conservative Party at the time, on the grounds that he had advocated entryism.

Jenkyns held her seat at the 2019 general election with an increased majority of 11,267. Jenkyns said she had experienced a considerable amount of abuse and intimidation during the campaign.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-50852381|title='Abuse on the campaign trail doesn't shock me any more'|first1=Cristina |last1=Criddle |first2=Natalie |last2=Ktena |first3=Emma|last3=Close|date=21 December 2019|access-date=23 December 2019|archive-date=22 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222163929/https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-50852381|url-status=live}} After the election, she was elected Vice-Chair of the European Research Group, replacing Steve Baker, who became the Chair.{{cite news|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politics/andrea-jenkyns-made-second-in-command-of-influential-european-research-group-1-10166764|title=Andrea Jenkyns made second in command of influential European Research Group|work=Yorkshire Post|access-date=23 December 2019|archive-date=22 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222205228/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politics/andrea-jenkyns-made-second-in-command-of-influential-european-research-group-1-10166764|url-status=live}}

In February 2020, Jenkyns defended her decision to provide a character reference for the court case of a Conservative Party activist who made violent threats to Labour MP Yvette Cooper and was subsequently jailed for nine weeks. The statement described the activist as a "decent and honest person whose heart is in the right place". Jenkyns said that the activist had mental health issues and she wanted his emotional and mental well-being to be taken into consideration as part of the judicial process.{{cite news |last1=Duffy |first1=Nick |title=Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns defends giving character reference to activist jailed for violent Brexit threats |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/tory-mp-andrea-jenkyns-defends-giving-character-reference-to-activist-jailed-for-violent-brexit-threats-1393372 |access-date=8 February 2020 |work=inews |date=7 February 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709143448/https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/tory-mp-andrea-jenkyns-defends-giving-character-reference-to-activist-jailed-for-violent-brexit-threats-395518 |url-status=live }}

On 17 September 2021, Jenkyns was appointed an Assistant Government Whip in the second cabinet reshuffle of the second Johnson ministry.{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-appointments-september-2021|title=Ministerial appointments: September 2021|date=16 September 2021|access-date=17 September 2021|archive-date=12 March 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220312191407/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-appointments-september-2021|url-status=live}}

In July 2022, Jenkyns was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Education.{{cite news |title=Andrea Jenkyns: Minister says she raised her middle finger because of a 'baying mob' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62105688 |work=BBC News |date=9 July 2022}} On the way to attending Boris Johnson's resignation speech in Downing Street, Jenkyns was filmed making a "middle finger" gesture at protesters.{{cite web |title=Tory MP who gave Boris protesters the middle finger is made education minister |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/20267557.andrea-jenkyns-made-education-minister-giving-boris-johnson-protesters-middle-finger/ |access-date=8 July 2022 |website=The National |date=8 July 2022 |archive-date=8 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708193116/https://www.thenational.scot/news/20267557.andrea-jenkyns-made-education-minister-giving-boris-johnson-protesters-middle-finger/ |url-status=live }} Jenkyns said she made the gesture after being provoked by a "baying mob", stating she had received "huge amounts of abuse from some of the people who were there over the years". She said she should have shown more composure "but is only human". Her gesture was criticised by teaching representatives and by Conservative MPs Mark Spencer and George Freeman.{{cite news |title=Tory MP says she made rude gesture after being provoked by 'baying mob'|first=Anna|last=MacSwan|date=9 July 2022|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/09/tory-mp-says-made-rude-gesture-aprovoked-baying-mob-andrea-jenkyn|work=The Guardian }} On 12 July 2022, her portfolio was confirmed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills, Further and Higher Education.

Jenkyns endorsed Liz Truss in the July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election.{{cite web |title=Full list: Tory endorsements for next leader |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/full-list-tory-endorsements-for-next-leader |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708122203/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/full-list-tory-endorsements-for-next-leader |archive-date=8 July 2022 |access-date=7 July 2022 |work=The Spectator |language=en}} She was reappointed a minister by Truss when Truss became prime minister in September 2022,{{cite web |title=Ministerial Appointments: September 2022 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-appointments-september-2022|website=GOV.UK |date=10 October 2022 }} but left her role when Rishi Sunak replaced Truss 49 days later.{{cite web |title=Andrea Jenkyns MP |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/andrea-jenkyns |access-date=29 November 2024 |website=gov.uk}}

Following the November 2023 British cabinet reshuffle, Jenkyns submitted a public letter of no confidence in Sunak.{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/rishi-sunak-faces-revolt-tory-31430450 |title=Rishi Sunak faces revolt as Tory MP delivers brutal warning in letter of no confidence |first=Ashley |last=Cowburn |publisher=The Mirror |date=13 November 2023 |access-date=13 November 2023}}

Jenkyns lost her seat in parliament in the general election of 4 July 2024, receiving 9,258 votes against Labour's Mark Sewards with 17,681.{{cite news |title=Leeds South West and Morley – General election results 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001324 |access-date=18 July 2024 |work=BBC News }}

Post-Parliamentary career

On 20 September 2024, Jenkyns posted on X from the Reform UK party conference, "I'm a former Tory MP, I'm not defecting. I'm on a press pass and I'm keen to find out what it's all about. Is this the true home of conservatism and why have we lost so many members to the Reform party."{{cite news |last= Nicholson |first= Kate |date= 25 April 2025 |title= Andrea Jenkyns Could Be Reform UK's First Mayor – Here Are Her Most Unforgettable Moments |url= https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/andrea-jenkyns-most-memorable-moments-before-mayoral-election_uk_680b9984e4b031fa917dcb4e |work= HuffPost |access-date= 26 April 2025}}

On 28 November 2024, Jenkyns announced that she had left the Conservative Party and joined Reform UK, at a press conference with leader Nigel Farage, and would stand as the Reform candidate for the new mayorship of Greater Lincolnshire.{{cite news| last=Rogers | first=Alexandra | title=Dame Andrea Jenkyns: Former Tory minister joins Reform UK | work=Sky News | date=28 November 2024 | url=https://news.sky.com/story/dame-andrea-jenkyns-former-tory-minister-joins-reform-uk-13262264}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy48el5jqwo|title=Former Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns joins Reform UK|work=BBC News|accessdate=28 November 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/reform-uk-andrea-jenkyns-nigel-farage-mayor-dame-b2655398.html|title=Former Tory MP Dame Andrea Jenkyns joins Reform UK|work=The Independent|accessdate=28 November 2024}}

During the election campaign, a formal complaint was lodged with the Electoral Commission that Jenkyns did not meet the residence requirement to be a registered voter in Lincolnshire and that she was therefore ineligible to be a candidate. A hearing was due to be held prior to the 1 May election day.{{cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=Sharon |title=Reform UK candidate challenged over right to stand |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2de79gx672o |website=BBC News |date=23 April 2025 |access-date=24 April 2025}} On 25 April, the allegations were dismissed.{{cite web |title=Eligibility case against Reform candidate dismissed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg5q4gg1q1vo |website=BBC News |date=25 April 2025 |access-date=25 April 2025}}

Jenkyns won the election with 42% of the vote.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg58vvej5vo|title=Reform's Andrea Jenkyns elected Lincolnshire mayor|date=2 May 2025 |publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2 May 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/politics/uk-politics/reform-uks-andrea-jenkyns-becomes-greater-lincolnshires-first-ever-mayor/|title=Reform UK's Andrea Jenkyns becomes Greater Lincolnshire's first-ever mayor|publisher=LBC|accessdate=2 May 2025}}

Electoral history

{{Election box begin

| title=General election 2015: Morley and Outwood{{cite web|title=Election Data 2015|url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt|publisher=Electoral Calculus|access-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017112223/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt|archive-date=17 October 2015}}{{cite news

| title = Morley & Outwood

| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000826

| work = BBC News

| access-date = 13 May 2015}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Andrea Jenkyns

|votes = 18,776

|percentage = 38.9

|change = +3.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Labour and Co-operative

|candidate = Ed Balls

|votes = 18,354

|percentage = 38.0

|change = +0.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = David Dews

|votes = 7,951

|percentage = 16.5

|change = +13.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Rebecca Taylor

|votes = 1,426

|percentage = 3.0

|change = −13.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Martin Hemingway

|votes = 1,264

|percentage = 2.6

|change = New

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Yorkshire First

|candidate = Arnie Craven

|votes = 479

|percentage = 1.0

|change = New

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 422

|percentage = 0.9

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 48,250

|percentage = 63.3

|change = -2.5

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|loser = Labour Co-operative

|swing = +1.6

}}

File:Official portrait of Andrea Jenkyns (cropped).jpg

{{Election box begin | title=General election 2017: Morley and Outwood}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Andrea Jenkyns

|votes = 26,550

|percentage = 50.7

|change = +11.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Labour and Co-operative

|candidate = Neil Dawson

|votes = 24,446

|percentage = 46.7

|change = +8.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Craig Dobson

|votes = 1,361

|percentage = 2.6

|change = -0.4

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 2,104

|percentage = 4.0

|change = +3.1

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 52,357

|percentage = 68.0

|change = +4.7

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +1.6

}}

{{Election box begin | title = General election 2019: Morley and Outwood{{cite news |title=Morley & Outwood Parliamentary constituency |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000826 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |access-date=4 December 2019}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Andrea Jenkyns

|votes = 29,424

|percentage = 56.7

|change = +6.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Deanne Ferguson

|votes = 18,157

|percentage = 35.0

|change = -11.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Craig Dobson

|votes = 2,285

|percentage = 4.4

|change = +1.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Chris Bell

|votes = 1,107

|percentage = 2.1

|change = New

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Yorkshire Party

|candidate = Dan Woodlock

|votes = 957

|percentage = 1.8

|change = New

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 11,267

|percentage = 21.7

|change = +17.7

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 51,930

|percentage = 65.9

|change = -2.1

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +8.8

}}

{{Election box begin|title=General election 2024: Leeds South West and Morley {{cite web |title=Statement of persons nominated |url=https://www.leeds.gov.uk/your-council/elections/parliamentary-general-election/leeds-south-west-and-morley |website=Leeds City Council |access-date=8 June 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001324|title=Leeds South West and Morley results|date=5 July 2024|work=BBC News|accessdate=6 July 2024}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|party=Labour Party (UK)|candidate=Mark Sewards|votes=17,681|percentage=44.0|change=+7.2}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Conservative Party (UK)|candidate=Andrea Jenkyns|votes=9,258|percentage=23.0|change=-30.1}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Reform UK|candidate=James Kendall|votes=8,187|percentage=20.4|change=+18.6}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Green Party of England and Wales|candidate=Chris Bell |votes=2,522|percentage=6.3|change=+3.0}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)|candidate=Michael Fox|votes=1,798|percentage=4.5|change=+1.7}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Yorkshire Party |candidate=Howard Graham Dews|votes=664|percentage=1.7|change=-0.5}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Social Democratic Party (UK, 1990–present)|candidate=Nigel Perry|votes=99|percentage=0.2|change=N/A}}

{{Election box majority|votes=8,423 |percentage=21.0|change=N/A}}

{{Election box turnout|votes=40,209|percentage=56.0|change=-5.1}}

{{Election box gain with party link||winner = Labour Party (UK)|loser=Conservative Party (UK)|swing={{increase}}18.7}}

{{Election box begin|title=2025 Greater Lincolnshire mayoral election}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|party=Reform UK|candidate=Andrea Jenkyns|votes=104,133|percentage=42.0|change=N/A}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Conservative Party (UK)|candidate=Rob Waltham|votes=64,585|percentage=26.1|change=N/A}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Labour Party (UK)|candidate=Jason Stockwood|votes=30,384|percentage=12.3|change=N/A}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Lincolnshire Independents|candidate=Marianne Overton|votes=19,911|percentage=8.0|change=N/A}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Green Party of England and Wales|candidate=Sally Horscroft|votes=15,040|percentage=6.1|change='N/A}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)|candidate=Trevor Young|votes=13,728|percentage=5.5|change=N/A}}

{{Election box majority|votes=39,548|percentage=15.9|change=N/A}}

{{Election box turnout|votes=249,792|percentage=30.15|change=N/A}}

Personal life

In March 2024, Jenkyns stated on GB News that she had been targeted with abusive emails, with the most recent threatening her six-year-old son. The police have been advising her on improved security and are investigating the source of the anonymous communication.{{cite web |title=Dame Andrea Jenkyns MP stands up against threats against her children {{!}} 'They WON'T silence me!' |website=YouTube |date=5 March 2024 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91UT-e3_TaE |access-date=6 March 2024}}

In April 2024, she announced via Twitter that she and Jack Lopresti had divorced.{{cite tweet|number=1780147952616411601|user=AndreaJenkins|title=This is complete rubbish, and there is nothing to see here, I am divorced!}}

Jenkyns suffers from fibromyalgia and glossopharyngeal neuralgia which cause bouts of debilitating pain.{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/tory-mp-andrea-jenkyns-cannot-remember-a-day-without-pain-in-15-years-1-9209280 |title=Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns 'cannot remember a day without pain' in 15 years |last=Singh |first=Arj |newspaper=Yorkshire Post |date=16 June 2018 |access-date=13 July 2018 |archive-date=13 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713172357/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/tory-mp-andrea-jenkyns-cannot-remember-a-day-without-pain-in-15-years-1-9209280 |url-status=live }} She also has ADHD.{{cite news|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/english-teachers-tory-mp-no-confidence-letter-105046743.html|title=Tory MP defends 'embarrassingly poor' no confidence letter after grammar criticism|date=14 November 2023|first=Ross|last=McGuinness}}

She also supports keeping the ban on fox hunting.{{cite news |url=https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/interview/andrea-jenkyns-theres-not-much-really-floors-me |title=Andrea Jenkyns: 'There's not much that really floors me' |first=Sebastian |last=Whale |website=Totalpolitics.com |date=29 May 2015 |access-date=18 April 2017 |archive-date=19 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419102229/https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/interview/andrea-jenkyns-theres-not-much-really-floors-me |url-status=live }} In 2015, her dogs Lady and Godiva won top prize in the Westminster Dog of the Year show.{{cite web|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/tories-triumph-westminster-dog-year-6727910|title=The Tories have triumphed in a public vote – at this adorable dog contest|first=Dan|last=Bloom|date=29 October 2015|website=Mirror.co.uk|access-date=21 September 2019|archive-date=21 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921201849/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/tories-triumph-westminster-dog-year-6727910|url-status=live}}

Jenkyns is also an amateur soprano singer.{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/12072778/Tory-MP-Andrea-Jenkyns-who-admitted-she-is-dating-married-MP-releases-charity-music-single.html | title=Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns, who admitted she is dating married MP, releases charity music single | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Michael | last=Wilkinson | date=29 December 2015 | access-date=23 April 2021 | archive-date=22 April 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422230859/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/12072778/Tory-MP-Andrea-Jenkyns-who-admitted-she-is-dating-married-MP-releases-charity-music-single.html | url-status=live }}

Honours

Jenkyns was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 9 June 2023 as part of the 2022 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours,{{cite web |date=9 June 2023 |title=Resignation Honours 2023 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1162124/Resignation_Honours_2023.pdf |access-date=9 June 2023 |website=GOV.UK}}{{London Gazette|date=21 July 2023|issue=64120|page=14503|supp=y}} the honours awarded following the September 2022 resignation of Boris Johnson.

Notes

References

External links

{{official website|http://www.andreajenkyns.co.uk}}
{{UK MP links |parliament=andrea-jenkyns/4490 |publicwhip=Andrea_Jenkyns |theywork=andrea_jenkyns}}
{{C-SPAN|99290}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament
for Morley and Outwood|years=2015–2024}}