Andrea Jenkyns – Biography, Political Career and Personal Life

On 1 May 2025, Andrea Jenkyns made history by becoming the first Reform UK mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, a region that had been a Conservative stronghold for decades. The former Conservative MP, who lost her seat in the July 2024 general election, defected to Nigel Farage’s party in November 2024, describing her old party as “beyond salvage.” Her victory by a margin of more than 40,000 votes signals a significant realignment in British politics.

Before entering Parliament, Jenkyns worked for 18 years in retail management, rising from shop assistant to senior management. She also retrained in her 30s, earning a Diploma in Economics from the Open University and a BA in International Relations and Politics from the University of Lincoln at age 40. Her path from a non-political background to the highest elected office in Lincolnshire is unusual by Westminster standards.

Who Is Andrea Jenkyns?

Overview

Key Insights

• Jenkyns switched from the Conservative Party to Reform UK in November 2024, becoming one of the party’s highest-profile elected officials.
• She is the first Mayor of the newly established Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority.
• Personal questions about her son’s disability and her own health have driven significant search interest, but authoritative sources remain scarce.
• Her net worth is not publicly documented; estimates are speculative and vary widely across unofficial sites.
• She was a Conservative whip between September 2021 and July 2022.
• Jenkyns entered Parliament in 2015 by defeating Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls in Morley and Outwood.
• She is a trained soprano who has released an album and performed internationally.

Fact Sheet

What Is Andrea Jenkyns’ Political Career?

Constituency and Early Parliamentary Work

Jenkyns represented Morley and Outwood in West Yorkshire from the 2015 general election until July 2024, when she lost the seat to Labour. She served as a Conservative whip between September 2021 and July 2022, a role that involves ensuring party discipline in parliamentary votes. She was known for “speaking her mind” and challenging her own party leadership on various issues.

Why Did She Leave the Conservative Party?

After losing her seat, Jenkyns initially said she was “not defecting” but wanted to assess whether Reform UK was the “true home of conservatism.” In November 2024 she officially joined Reform UK, stating the Conservative Party was “no longer salvageable.” Her defection was immediately followed by her candidacy for the Greater Lincolnshire mayoral election.

The Mayoral Victory

On 1 May 2025, Jenkyns was elected the first Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, beating the Conservative candidate by over 40,000 votes. In her victory address, she proclaimed a “new era in British politics” and said Reform would “restore Britain to its former glory.” The combined county authority covers 1.1 million people and an annual budget of £24 million, with powers over skills, transport, economic growth, and infrastructure.

Does Andrea Jenkyns Have a Partner and Son?

Marriage to Jack Lopresti

Andrea Jenkyns is married to Jack Lopresti, a former Conservative MP, since 22 December 2017. Lopresti represented Filton and Bradley Stoke from 2010 to 2024 and served as a parliamentary aide. The couple share a home in Lincolnshire with three Schnauzers.

Son and ADHD

Jenkyns has one son, Clifford George Lopresti (also referred to as Clifford Jenkyns-Lopresti in some contexts). Both Andrea and Clifford have ADHD, a condition she has spoken about publicly. She has emphasised the importance of supporting children with special educational needs to reach their full potential. No other disability for her son has been specified in authoritative sources.

What Is Andrea Jenkyns’ Net Worth and Health Status?

Net Worth

There is no publicly disclosed figure for Andrea Jenkyns’ personal net worth. While she oversees a £24 million annual budget as mayor, her own financial details are not available in any official record. Unofficial estimates on third‑party websites vary widely and should be treated with caution.

Insomnia and Other Health Details

The phrase “Andrea Jenkyns insomniac” appears in search queries, but no specific mention of her having insomnia appears in authoritative sources. The only health condition confirmed is ADHD, which she has stated she and her son share. No other disabilities or chronic conditions are documented in official sources.

When Did Andrea Jenkyns’ Key Political Milestones Occur?

1. 16 June 1974 – Born in Beverley, Humberside, England.
2. 7 May 2015 – Elected as Conservative MP for Morley and Outwood, defeating Ed Balls.
3. September 2021 – July 2022 – Served as a Conservative whip.
4. 2023 – Awarded a damehood (DBE) in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours.
5. 4 July 2024 – Lost her parliamentary seat in the general election.
6. November 2024 – Defected to Reform UK, announcing her candidacy for the Greater Lincolnshire mayoral election.
7. 1 May 2025 – Elected Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire for Reform UK.

What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About Andrea Jenkyns?

What Does Andrea Jenkyns’ Rise Mean for UK Politics?

Jenkyns’ political trajectory reflects broader realignments in UK politics. Her defection to Reform UK and subsequent mayoral victory demonstrate the party’s growth beyond by‑elections and into local government. The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority was created to devolve powers from Westminster, and her leadership places Reform UK in charge of a significant budget and policy areas that affect 1.1 million people.

The personal queries about her son’s disability and her health indicate a public interest in the private lives of politicians, which often remain under‑reported in mainstream sources. The lack of authoritative data on net worth or partner details drives speculation on less reliable websites, highlighting the need for transparency among elected officials.

For context on other figures in the same political sphere, see Hamish Badenoch – Banker, Husband and Conservative Candidate and Holly Valance – From Neighbours to Political Commentator.

What Are the Sources for Information About Andrea Jenkyns?

The most reliable sources for Jenkyns’ biography and political career are the BBC, the official UK Parliament website, and the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority. Wikipedia provides a neutral, encyclopedic summary, though it lacks detail on personal financial and health matters. Her own official website (dameandreajenkyns.com) contains personal statements about her son and ADHD.

“Delivering for the Silent Majority.”

— X profile description (@andreajenkyns)

“I am a proud Mummy.”

— X profile description (@andreajenkyns)

“The first Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire is Dame Andrea Jenkyns.”

— Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority official site

What Is the Best Way to Understand Andrea Jenkyns Today?

Andrea Jenkyns is best understood as a former Conservative MP who reinvented herself as a Reform UK mayor in the wake of the 2024 general election defeat. Her personal life—her marriage to Jack Lopresti, her son’s ADHD, and her own ADHD—adds a human dimension to a career defined by party defection and a surprise mayoral victory. The public record is strong on her political timeline but thin on personal finances and health details. For readers interested in broader political realignments, Hamish Badenoch – Banker, Husband and Conservative Candidate offers a parallel example of a figure adjacent to Conservative politics.

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