Dame Andrea Jenkyns is a figure who has made a dramatic return to the forefront of British politics. After losing her seat as a Conservative MP in 2024, she joined Reform UK and within a year became the party’s most senior elected official as the first Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire. Her journey from a Saturday job at a bakery to running a £24 million budget for over a million people is defined by resilience and a willingness to change political allegiance.
Born on 16 June 1974, Jenkyns is currently 52 years old. She served as the Conservative MP for Morley and Outwood from 2015 until her defeat in the July 2024 general election. In November 2024, she defected to Reform UK, and on 1 May 2025, she won the mayoral election for Greater Lincolnshire with 42% of the vote, defeating the Conservative candidate by more than 40,000 votes.
Her political career has been marked by high-profile roles, including Minister for Skills and a Conservative Party Whip, as well as a reputation for being a straight-talking campaigner. Outside of politics, she is an amateur opera singer, a vocal coach, and a mother who openly speaks about her ADHD diagnosis and her son’s special educational needs.
Who is Andrea Jenkyns? A Biography
Dame Andrea Marie Jenkyns DBE
16 June 1974 (age 51 in 2025)
Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire (since May 2025)
Reform UK (formerly Conservative)
- Early Life: Born in Beverley, Humberside, and moved to Lincolnshire at age seven. After school, she worked as a Saturday shop assistant at Greggs and rose to a senior retail manager over 18 years.
- Education: Retrained in her 30s, earning a Diploma in Economics from the Open University, then graduated from the University of Lincoln at age 40 with a BA (Hons) in International Relations and Politics.
- Entry into Politics: Her father’s death from MRSA in 2011 inspired her political career. She won the 2015 general election for Morley and Outwood, defeating Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls with a slim majority of 422 votes.
- Honours: She received the DBE (Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for her public service.
| Category | Detail | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|
| Born | 16 June 1974 | Leeds, West Yorkshire, England |
| Political Affiliation | Reform UK (2024–present) | Conservative (formerly) |
| Parliamentary Service | MP for Morley and Outwood | 2015–2024 |
| Current Office | Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire | 2025–present |
| Title | Dame | Appointed DBE |
| Spouse | Jack Lopresti | Married 22 December 2017 |
What is Andrea Jenkyns’ Political Career?
Parliamentary Career (2015–2024)
Jenkyns served as the Conservative MP for Morley and Outwood for nearly a decade. During this time, she held several key roles, including Minister for Skills under Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, a position from which she was later dismissed by Rishi Sunak. She also served as a Conservative Party Whip from September 2021 to July 2022. She was a vocal supporter of Brexit and frequently criticised Theresa May’s EU exit strategy.
Defection to Reform UK and Mayoral Victory
After losing her seat in the July 2024 general election, Jenkyns joined Reform UK in November 2024. Her decision to switch parties was a significant move, reflecting a shift in her political alignment. Just six months later, on 1 May 2025, she was elected as the first Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, winning 42% of the vote on a turnout of around 30%. This victory is widely regarded as Reform UK’s most influential electoral success to date.
Role as Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire
As Mayor, Jenkyns oversees a £24 million annual budget and holds authority over skills, transport, economic growth, and infrastructure for 1.1 million people. The role is a strategic authority position, giving her significant influence over regional development in Lincolnshire.
Jenkyns’ mayoral victory is historically significant for Reform UK. It represents the party’s most powerful elected position, giving it direct control over a regional budget and policy area. Her defection from the Conservatives and subsequent win highlight the shifting political landscape in parts of England.
Who is Andrea Jenkyns’ Partner and Family?
Andrea Jenkyns is married to Jack Lopresti, a Conservative politician. The couple married on 22 December 2017. She has a son named Clifford Jenkyns. Both Andrea and Clifford have ADHD, and she is an active campaigner for children with special educational needs. She owns three Schnauzers named Gertrude, Guinevere, and Gretal.
Publicly available information about her family life is limited. While certain details, such as her son’s name and her own ADHD diagnosis, are confirmed through her official website, other aspects—such as specific details about her son’s condition—have not been widely disclosed. This reflects a broader trend where public figures choose to keep certain personal matters private.
While there is strong public interest in the personal lives of politicians, verified information regarding Jenkyns’ partner and family is confined to what she has chosen to share publicly. The identity of her partner is confirmed as Jack Lopresti, but other details often sought by users remain private.
What is Andrea Jenkyns’ Net Worth?
There is no publicly available figure for Andrea Jenkyns’ net worth. Her career has included retail management, music tutoring, and politics, but specific financial details are not disclosed in any official or verified sources. Any figures found online remain speculative and unconfirmed. Her official website and the Greater Lincolnshire CCA page do not provide this information.
Andrea Jenkyns Timeline
- 16 June 1974: Born Andrea Marie Jenkyns in Leeds, West Yorkshire.
- 2015: Elected as Conservative MP for Morley and Outwood.
- 2015–2024: Served as Conservative MP, held roles including Whip and Minister for Skills.
- 30 May 2024: Left the House of Commons after losing her seat.
- November 2024: Joined the Reform UK party.
- 1 May 2025: Elected as the first Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire (Reform UK).
- May 2025: Assumed office as Strategic Authority Mayor for Greater Lincolnshire.
- 4 June 2026: Reportedly storms out of a meeting following discussions of the Henry Nowak murder case, as covered by The Guardian.
What is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Andrea Jenkyns?
| Established Information | Uncertain or Unverified Facts |
|---|---|
| Born on 16 June 1974. | Her exact net worth is not publicly available. |
| Current Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire (elected May 2025). | The identity of her partner is confirmed (Jack Lopresti), but other family details remain limited. |
| Was the Conservative MP for Morley and Outwood. | Specific details about her son’s disability have not been publicly detailed beyond confirming ADHD. |
| Now a member of Reform UK. | Claims that she is an “insomniac” are not formally verified in authoritative medical sources. |
| She is a Dame (DBE). |
What is the Context of Her Political Transition?
Andrea Jenkyns’ move from the Conservatives to Reform UK and her subsequent election as Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire is a significant development in British local politics. She is the first person to hold this new mayoral role, and her victory gives Reform UK its most powerful elected position. The role involves overseeing a £24 million budget and economic strategy for over a million residents, marking a substantial increase in responsibility compared to her previous parliamentary roles.
Her transition also highlights a broader trend of political realignment, where figures with strong Brexit credentials have found a new home in Reform UK. Her profile, built on a reputation for resilience and straight-talking, has allowed her to maintain public visibility despite losing her Westminster seat.
Sources and Key Quotes
“Resilient, straight-talking politician who has returned to prominence through her mayoral victory, emphasizing her ‘knack for bouncing back’.”
BBC News, covering her political comeback.
“Her father’s death from MRSA in 2011 inspired her political career.”
BBC News, on her motivation for entering politics.
“Elected as the first Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire (Reform UK) on 1 May 2025.”
Wikipedia, confirming her electoral victory.
The primary sources for this article include her Wikipedia entry, the official Greater Lincolnshire CCA mayor page, the UK Parliament archived member page, her X (Twitter) account, and a recent Guardian article covering a political event in June 2026.
Summary: Who Is Andrea Jenkyns in 2025?
Andrea Jenkyns is a British politician who has rebuilt her career after losing her seat as a Conservative MP by joining Reform UK and winning the first mayoral election for Greater Lincolnshire. She is known for her strong Brexit stance, her work on skills policy, and her openness about living with ADHD and parenting a child with special educational needs. Her net worth remains private, and while her political trajectory is well-documented, certain aspects of her personal life remain shielded from public view. For more on other political figures who have navigated major career shifts, see the profile on Nicky Candy – Biography, Net Worth, and Reform UK Role.
Frequently Asked Questions About Andrea Jenkyns
What is Andrea Jenkyns’ website?
Andrea Jenkyns maintains an official website and is active on social media via X (Twitter). Her official mayoral page is on the Greater Lincolnshire CCA website.
Is Andrea Jenkyns an insomniac?
There is no verified, authoritative public information confirming that Andrea Jenkyns is an insomniac. Claims online remain unsubstantiated.
How can I contact Andrea Jenkyns?
Contact for her mayoral office can be found on the Greater Lincolnshire CCA website. Her X (Twitter) account @andreajenkyns is also a public channel.
What is Andrea Jenkyns’ connection to Morley?
Andrea Jenkyns was the Conservative MP for the Morley and Outwood constituency from 2015 to 2024.
Who is Andrea Jenkyns married to?
She is married to Jack Lopresti, a Conservative politician. They married on 22 December 2017.
What is Andrea Jenkyns’ son’s name?
Her son is named Clifford Jenkyns. She has spoken publicly about both of them having ADHD.
Does Andrea Jenkyns have a disability?
Yes, she has openly discussed her ADHD diagnosis. No other disabilities are publicly confirmed.
What is Andrea Jenkyns’ net worth?
Her exact net worth is not publicly disclosed and remains speculative. No official figure is available.
Why did Andrea Jenkyns leave the Conservative Party?
After losing her seat in the July 2024 general election, she joined Reform UK in November 2024, citing a change in political alignment.
What is Andrea Jenkyns’ role as Mayor?
She oversees a £24 million annual budget and is responsible for skills, transport, economic growth, and infrastructure for 1.1 million people in Greater Lincolnshire.
Related stories
Diane Forbes leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Civic Affairs.