UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Dame Andrea Jenkyns is under scrutiny as a council hearing over her residency eligibility is scheduled ahead of Lincolnshire’s mayoral elections.
As reported by The Independent, one of Reform’s top candidates in the local election is under threat of disqualification over claims she does not live in the region.
Reform’s candidate for Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire will face a hearing next Friday, just six days ahead of the polls.
The Reform candidate is leading the polls in a highly contested county, having defected from the Tories after backing Boris Johnson as a Conservative MP.
Where is the hearing being held?
Ms Jenkyns’ hearing will be held at North Kesteven District Council next week. It comes amid mounting issues for Reform’s local election campaign, including former Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe’s defamation lawsuit against Nigel Farage.
What’s did Reform UK say about claims against Dame Andrea?
The party argues that the charges against Dame Andrea are ‘baseless and politically charged, suggesting they are an attempt to damage her image in the final days of the election.
Sources reveal that the complaint was filed by the agent of Marianne Overton, an independent candidate and councillor for North Kesteven District Council, who is running against Dame Andrea.
The complaint centers on allegations that Dame Andrea is not qualified to run in Lincolnshire because she resides in Leeds, where her previous constituency was during her time as a Tory MP.
What did North Kesteven District Council say about claims against Andrea?
A spokesperson for North Kesteven District Council stated,
“A formal objection has been received by the North Kesteven Electoral Registration Officer in relation to an individual registration on the Electoral Register and the statutory process is being followed.”
What did Reform UK spokesperson say about Andrea Jenkyns’ eligibility complaint?
A Reform UK spokesman stated,
“We understand a vexatious and politically motivated complaint has been made by the relative of a candidate in the same election that Andrea Jenkyns is contesting, in an attempt to deprive the people of Lincolnshire the chance to vote for Reform UK. We are confident that this complaint will be dismissed.”
What did Andrea Jenkyns say about eligibility allegations?
Dame Andrea has refrained from commenting directly, but sources suggest she has expressed to friends that the allegations are part of a “smear campaign” due to her leading position as the mayoral candidate.
She has confirmed that she divides her time between Leeds and Lincolnshire for family reasons, but she plans to present proof next week that Lincolnshire is her main residence.
For several months, Ms Jenkyn has engaged with local authority democratic officers to discuss her eligibility.
UNISON’s campaign against Dame Andrea
UNISON, the prominent public sector union, has reached out to Lincolnshire County Council staff, labelling Dame Andrea a “disaster.” They have reportedly urged members to appear in a video attacking her. This has raised concerns within Dame Andrea’s team about a potential breach of purdah rules before the upcoming election.
A UNISON spokesperson stated,
“This all about informing members in Lincolnshire as to where the various mayoral candidates stand on the issues that matter. This includes the measures being introduced in the employment rights bill. This is not a breach of election rules.”
The group Hope Not Hate has accused Dame Andrea of being a “climate change sceptic,” highlighting her resistance against Net Zero policies as evidence.
What are the legal residency rules for mayoral candidates?
- Registered as a local government elector in the area (from nomination day onward)
- Lived in the area for the past 12 months
- Worked in the area for the past 12 months
- Owned or rented property in the area for the past 12 months
Why former Reform MP Rupert Lowe sues Nigel Farage for defamation?
Ex-Reform UK MP Mr Lowe has taken legal steps to sue party leader Nigel Farage for defamation, citing accusations of bullying remarks.
He stated,
“On 7 March 2025 Lee Anderson and Zia Yusuf signed and published a statement on behalf of Reform UK. Mr Anderson and Mr Yusuf are respectively the party’s chief whip and chairman.”
Mr Lowe said,
“The statement falsely alleged, amongst other things, that I had engaged in serious workplace bullying and had made multiple serious threats to physically assault, and injure, Mr Yusuf.”
He added,
“The statement was read by millions and has caused serious harm to my reputation. I believe it was published as part of a concerted smear campaign against me after I made comments about the party’s leader Nigel Farage.”
The Great Yarmouth MP continued,
“I have today instructed my solicitors Brett Wilson LLP to send letters of claim to Reform’s leader and director Nigel Farage, Mr Anderson and Mr Yusuf asserting claims for defamation,”
adding,
“I call on the party, Mr Farage, Mr Anderson and Mr Yusuf to do the right thing and retract these false allegations. In the event that they are unwilling to do so it is my intention to issue High Court proceedings. Whilst I have no desire to litigate, I will do what is necessary to ensure my reputation is restored.”