Reform facing humiliation as Andrea Jenkyns still not cleared to run for Lincolnshire mayor with days until election

Reform are facing a potential local election crisis after an decision on whether one of the party’s most high profile candidates, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, is even eligible to stand.

The Independent has learnt that a decision by the chief executive of North Kesteven Council on whether Ms Jenkyns meets residency criteria to run for Greater Lincolnshire Mayor has been deferred until after the weekend.

It means voters in the county which is being hotly contested between Labour, the Tories and Reform still do not know if the frontrunner is even able to take office.

According to a recent YouGov poll, Dame Andrea is ahead on 40 per cent with the Tory candidate Rob Waltham on 25 per cent and Labour’s Jason Stockwood on 15 per cent.

Postal votes for the election on Thursday 1 May have already been returned and the whole election could be thrown into chaos if Dame Andrea is banned from standing.

The situation could also do serious damage to Nigel Farage and Reform as they try to show that they are a credible party of government in the 2029 general election.

If the council decides to block her candidacy then Dame Andrea would be able to appeal at the magistrates’ court. But if it decides to let her stand then a senior Tory source has confirmed the party will put in a legal challenge to petition a reelection and disqualify her.

The hearing today in north Lincolnshire was brought as a result of an independent candidate for mayor, Marianne Overton, who is a councillor on North Kesteven District Council.

It is based on the fact that Ms Jenkyns is living between Lincolnshire and Leeds, where she used to be a Tory MP, for family reasons.

It is understood that Ms Jenkyns attempted to demonstrate that the home she rents in Lincolnshire is her primary address with bank statements, evidence from her landlord and rent statements.

However, there is a question mark over whether her name is on the electoral roll in Lincolnshire.

The Electoral Commission website states that mayoral candidates must meet one of four residential qualifications, which include living or working in the local authority area where they wish to stand, or being registered there as an elector.

Prior to the hearing, a spokesman for Reform said the accusations made against Dame Andrea are “vexatious and politically motivated”, claiming that they are an attempt to smear her just days before the electorate cast their votes.

The spokesman said: “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 of the chance to vote for Reform UK. We are confident that this complaint will be dismissed.”

It is understood that the Tories have also made a complaint to the police about the issue.

The Independent has approached Dame Andrea and North Kesteven District Council for comment.