Reform UK’s mayoral candidate for Greater Lincolnshire has been confirmed as eligible to stand in the upcoming election, following a review of her qualifications by the region’s electoral authorities.
Concerns had been raised over whether Dame Andrea Jenkyns met the requirement of being included on the local electoral roll, a key criterion for candidacy.
However, the electoral registration officer at North Kesteven District Council concluded that Dame Andrea’s Lincolnshire property is her principal residence.
Dame Andrea, a former minister in the previous Conservative government, will contest the mayoral election on May 1.
Following the outcome of Friday’s hearing, Dame Andrea commented: “From the outset, this has been a politically motivated attempt to undermine my candidacy.
“I am proud to call Lincolnshire home, and serving as its mayor would be the greatest honour of my life.”
According to Electoral Commission guidelines, those seeking to stand for office must either live, work, own or rent property in the area, or be registered to vote locally.
Earlier this month, Dame Andrea was added to the electoral roll in North Kesteven, at a residence in Bassingham, near Lincoln.
She divides her time between this Lincolnshire address and her family home in Yorkshire, where her son attends school, prompting the challenge regarding her primary place of residence.
The electoral officer stated: “I do not consider there is evidence to determine the subject is not entitled to be registered at the address in question, or that she is no longer resident there.
“Therefore, she remains lawfully on the electoral register at that address.”
A recent YouGov survey indicated Dame Andrea is currently the front-runner in the race to become Greater Lincolnshire’s first mayor.
Dame Andrea, who joined Reform UK last year, moved to Lincolnshire as a child and later attended Grimsby College and the University of Lincoln.
She previously served on Lincolnshire County Council before being elected as Conservative MP for Morley and Outwood in West Yorkshire in 2015.
Catch up with highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, view the latest episode of Look North or share your story ideas here.