Photo credit: www.bbc.com
Dame Andrea Jenkyns Joins Reform UK as Candidate for Greater Lincolnshire Mayor
Former Conservative MP Dame Andrea Jenkyns has officially become a member of Reform UK and will represent the party in the upcoming May 2025 election for Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire.
After losing her parliamentary seat in the July general election, Jenkyns expressed her discontent with the Conservative Party, stating she had “fought to the bitter end” but believed it was now “beyond salvage.”
Describing Reform UK members as “patriotic bravehearts,” she expressed confidence in their ability to provide the necessary rejuvenation for the country.
Jenkyns previously represented the Morley and Outwood constituency from 2010 until 2024, but her tenure ended following her defeat in the newly constituted Leeds South West seat during the recent election.
Her shift from the Conservatives coincided with a claim by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage that the party’s membership has surpassed 100,000, indicating significant growth and interest.
Looking ahead, Farage outlined the party’s strategy for the upcoming English county council elections in May 2024, announcing plans to field around 2,200 candidates. He emphasized the necessity for Reform UK to secure “hundreds of seats” to align with their objectives for 2025.
Originally launched as the Brexit Party in 2018, Reform UK experienced a notable performance in the recent general election. Although it won only five parliamentary seats, the party garnered over four million votes, positioning itself as a strong third force behind Labour and the Conservatives.
When reflecting on her departure from the Conservative Party, Jenkyns noted her longstanding respect for Farage and indicated that she felt a political kinship with Reform UK. “I was tempted before the general election, but I am a loyal person to a party,” she remarked, adding that her allegiance was to the party rather than its leaders. “I believed, as I said, in going down with that ship fighting,” she affirmed.
Jenkyns has previously voiced her support for the alignment of the Conservative Party with Reform UK to counter a potential Labour “supermajority.” Her campaign materials during the last election notably included a photograph with Farage, highlighting her association with the party’s leadership.
In the last year, she urged then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to resign, further indicating her discontent with the current direction of the Conservative Party. During her time in government, she was a staunch supporter of Boris Johnson and held roles as both an assistant minister and a junior education minister.
Just prior to Jenkyns’ announcement, Ben Habib, former deputy leader of Reform UK, disclosed his exit from the party, citing “fundamental differences” with Farage regarding Brexit and the party’s organizational structure. He also raised concerns about migration policies, expressing his support for “mass deportations,” a stance that diverged from Farage’s views.
Source
www.bbc.com