Formal Objection Made Against Reform UK Candidate in Greater Lincolnshire Mayor Election
A formal objection has been made against Dame Andrea Jenkyns, the Reform UK candidate in the race to be elected Greater Lincolnshire mayor, over her eligibility to stand. The challenge, confirmed by North Kesteven District Council, questions whether Dame Andrea is entitled to be on the electoral roll in the county, which is one of the criteria for being a candidate.
According to the BBC’s reporting based on information from 1, guidance by the Electoral Commission states that in order to be allowed to stand, candidates need to live or work in the area, own or rent land or property there, or be on the electoral roll. Dame Andrea was added to the North Kesteven electoral roll at an address in Bassingham, near Lincoln, this month. Inclusion on the roll is based on where someone lives and can include second homes.
Reform UK has described the complaint as "vexatious" and "politically motivated". The party leader, Nigel Farage, said the challenge was about "playing games with electoral law". In an interview with Lincolnshire Live, Dame Andrea said she lived in Yorkshire with her son but intended to move to Lincolnshire full-time if she was elected. Mr Farage added that Dame Andrea was living "not full-time but part-time" in Lincolnshire and was "commuting back and forth" to care for her disabled child.
The BBC understands that a formal hearing will be held on Friday, less than a week before the election on Thursday, 1 May. The outcome of the challenge will not impact the election itself, which is a separate legal process. However, if the challenge is successful, it could be used later to challenge the result via an application made to the Election Petitions Office.
Background of the Candidate
Dame Andrea moved to Lincolnshire when she was seven and went on to study at Grimsby College and the University of Lincoln. She was a member of Lincolnshire County Council before she became the Conservative MP for Morley and Outwood, in West Yorkshire, in 2015. She defected to Reform UK last year.
Electoral Process
Councils can dismiss complaints without a hearing, but when a hearing is to be held it must happen within seven working days of the complaint being made. Appeals against the outcome can be made within 14 days of a decision. The BBC understands that the challenge came from an election agent for one of the other five candidates for mayor.
Conclusion
The formal objection made against Dame Andrea Jenkyns has raised questions about her eligibility to stand in the Greater Lincolnshire mayor election. While the outcome of the challenge will not impact the election itself, it could have implications for the result if the challenge is successful. The BBC will continue to provide updates on this developing story.
