Latest news with #DameAndrea
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Andrea Jenkyns sworn in as Greater Lincolnshire's first mayor
Andrea Jenkyns sworn in as Lincolnshire mayor 5 minutes ago Share Save Stuart Harratt BBC News Share Save BBC Dame Andrea Jenkyns was sworn in as mayor in a ceremony at Lincoln Cathedral Dame Andrea Jenkyns has been sworn in as Lincolnshire's first ever mayor. She won the role for Reform UK in an election last week with a majority of more than 40,000 votes. As head of the combined authority, she will serve a four-year term and will have a budget of £24m a year and make decisions on housing, public transport, infrastructure, economic development, business, skills and regeneration. In a speech before the signing ceremony at Lincoln Cathedral, former Conservative MP Jenkyns said she felt "quite emotional". "I wish to thank all who voted for me and even those who didn't vote for me I'm still here to represent you," she said. "I thank you all for being here and I will fight for every single person in Lincolnshire." She said that she would set up a Lincolnshire transport authority to try and improve bus and train services. Another priority would be developing business, especially the defence sector, she added. One plan is to hold an annual Lincolnshire "Great Exhibition", which she said would highlight the county to the world. As mayor she would govern with a combined authority board with delegates drawn from local councils. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jenkyns: fracking would save money for taxpayers
The new mayor of Lincolnshire has said she will be meeting with a fracking company to discuss a business case to extract gas from underground in the county. Dame Andrea Jenkyns said the move would "really save money for the Lincolnshire taxpayers". She was speaking on the BBC's Politics North show after winning the contest to become the first mayor of Greater Lincolnshire on Thursday. Her party, Reform UK, will also take over the running of the county council from the Conservatives. In response, the government said it planned to ban fracking to protect current and future generations and "the biggest risk" to energy security was "staying dependent on fossil fuel markets". Dame Andrea was questioned about her position regarding Reform UK's plans to scrap the country's net zero target and impose a windfall tax on green energy companies. Tim Iredale, the BBC's political editor for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, put it to the mayor that this could cost jobs around the Humber estuary. Dame Andrea said the three main parties had a "homogenized view" on net zero, and that there had been no scrutiny of the plans. "I will be meeting with a fracking company after the gas find, and put a business argument [forward]," she added. "We should be doing that. That will really save money for the Lincolnshire taxpayers." In February, a company claimed there was enough gas under an area near Gainsborough to supply the country's energy needs for seven years. However, opponents insist fracking – a technique used to capture a type of gas found deep underground in shale rock – risks water, air and noise pollution. A government spokesperson told the BBC that it intended to "ban fracking for good and make Britain a clean energy superpower". "Only by sprinting to clean power by 2030 can the UK take back control of its energy and protect consumers from spiralling energy costs," the spokesperson added. The Federation of Small Businesses in Lincolnshire has also warned that the net zero agenda should not be "thrown out with the bathwater" because it offered "enormous economic opportunity" in the county. Keane Duncan, a Conservative councillor and cabinet member for north Yorkshire, and Rachel Maskel, the Labour MP for York, appeared on the programme alongside Dame Andrea. Duncan said a windfall tax on energy would cost jobs and sacrifice investment. "It will also mean that people's energy bills are going to be higher," he added. Maskel said it was time to "wake up to the climate challenges" and argued that "the real investment in growth and opportunity for our region sits in the energy sector". Dame Andrea was also asked on the programme about Reform UK's pledge to scrap diversity officers from local authorities. Nigel Farage, the leader of the party, has said getting rid of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) officers is at the top of their agenda. However, when asked by the BBC about such roles, Lincolnshire County Council said it did not have any staff doing those kinds of jobs. Dame Andrea claimed the diversity roles had been "rebranded now as mentors". "I think there's lots of these hidden roles, diversity hidden roles, which we need to uncover," she said. "I'm a meritocrat, and I think this diversity extreme inclusion, it can actually divide people more. "I'm neurodiverse myself, My son is, it's about creating the right conditions to make sure that people are attracted to these jobs. "I just want competent people. So I think that we need to do away with roles like this." Councillor Judith Matthews, of North Lincolnshire Council, appeared live on the programme. She was asked what she wanted Jenkyns to achieve in her role. The Labour councillor said: "She needs to help the disabled people get back into work that have a lot of skills. And that can be done by working in collaboration with disability groups so that everybody has a fair chance at a good job." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Reform's Andrea Jenkyns elected Lincolnshire mayor Why Lincolnshire turned a lighter shade of blue Gas field discovery 'very exciting', MP says Energy boss backs gas field to lower bills Politics North (Yorkshire and Lincolnshire)
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Andrea Jenkyns: fracking would save Lincolnshire taxpayers money
The new mayor of Lincolnshire has said she will be meeting with a fracking company to discuss a business case to extract gas from underground in the Andrea Jenkyns said the move would "really save money for the Lincolnshire taxpayers".She was speaking on the BBC's Politics North show after winning the contest to become the first mayor of Greater Lincolnshire on Thursday. Her party, Reform UK, will also take over the running of the county council from the government has previously said it plans to ban fracking and make Britain "a clean energy superpower to protect current and future generations". Dame Andrea was questioned about her position regarding Reform UK's plans to scrap the country's net zero target and impose a windfall tax on green energy companies. Tim Iredale, the BBC's political editor for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, put it to the mayor that this could cost jobs around the Humber Andrea said the three main parties had a "homogenized view" on net zero, and that there had been no scrutiny of the plans. "I will be meeting with a fracking company after the gas find, and put a business argument [forward]," she added. "We should be doing that. That will really save money for the Lincolnshire taxpayers."In February, a company claimed there was enough gas under an area near Gainsborough to supply the country's energy needs for seven years. However, opponents insist fracking – a technique used to capture a type of gas found deep underground in shale rock – risks water, air and noise the time, a government spokesperson said there were plans "to ban fracking for good" and "seize the opportunities of the clean energy transition". The Federation of Small Businesses in Lincolnshire has also warned that the net zero agenda should not be "thrown out with the bathwater" because it offered "enormous economic opportunity" in the Duncan, a Conservative councillor and cabinet member for north Yorkshire, and Rachel Maskel, the Labour MP for York, appeared on the programme alongside Dame Andrea. Duncan said a windfall tax on energy would cost jobs and sacrifice investment. "It will also mean that people's energy bills are going to be higher," he said it was time to "wake up to the climate challenges" and argued that "the real investment in growth and opportunity for our region sits in the energy sector". 'Hidden roles' Dame Andrea was also asked on the programme about Reform UK's pledge to scrap diversity officers from local Farage, the leader of the party, has said getting rid of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) officers is at the top of their when asked by the BBC about such roles, Lincolnshire County Council said it did not have any staff doing those kinds of Andrea claimed the diversity roles had been "rebranded now as mentors"."I think there's lots of these hidden roles, diversity hidden roles, which we need to uncover," she said."I'm a meritocrat, and I think this diversity extreme inclusion, it can actually divide people more. "I'm neurodiverse myself, My son is, it's about creating the right conditions to make sure that people are attracted to these jobs."I just want competent people. So I think that we need to do away with roles like this."Councillor Judith Matthews, of North Lincolnshire Council, appeared live on the programme. She was asked what she wanted Jenkyns to achieve in her Labour councillor said: "She needs to help the disabled people get back into work that have a lot of skills. And that can be done by working in collaboration with disability groups so that everybody has a fair chance at a good job."Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Telegraph
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Put migrants in tents instead of hotels, says Reform's first mayor
Reform UK's first mayor has called for migrants to be housed in tents instead of hotels. Dame Andrea Jenkyns, the first elected mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, made the comment as she called for 'an end to soft touch Britain' in her victory speech following local elections on Thursday. The remarks prompted some rival candidates to walk off stage during her speech. The former Tory MP, who defected to Reform last year, also claimed she had been the victim of a 'soul-destroying' smear campaign from political rivals. It came after Reform won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, defeating Labour by just six votes. Speaking on Friday morning at Grimsby Town Hall, Dame Andrea said: 'The fightback to save the heart and soul of our great country has now begun. 'Now that Reform is in a place of power, we can help start rebuilding Britain. Inch by inch, Reform will reset Britain to its glorious past. 'We will tackle illegal migration. We've been working on policies. 'I say no to putting people in hotels. Tents are good enough for France, they should be good enough for here in Britain.' Immigration 'most important' issue to Reform voters A poll earlier this week found that two-thirds of those planning to vote Reform said their most important concern was 'national policies on immigration'. Nigel Farage, the party's leader, has committed to an effective freeze on non-essential migration, action to tackle illegal Channel crossings and pulling the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, is planning to unveil new measures on immigration in the aftermath of the local election results. A white paper is expected to reveal Government plans to make it harder for foreign students who come to the UK on graduate visas to stay in the country by taking low-paid jobs such as healthcare roles. Home Office insiders insisted the plans had been in progress since November, rather than being a knee-jerk reaction to the local elections. Asylum hotels were a controversial issue during the local election campaigns. In Runcorn, Karen Shore, Labour's candidate, was accused of hypocrisy after vowing to close down a local asylum hotel – despite 'warmly welcoming' Afghan and Syrian refugees. Figures published earlier this year revealed the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels had risen by more than 8,000 since last July's general election, despite Labour's pledge to end their use. After securing an overwhelming victory for Reform in Greater Lincolnshire, Dame Andrea hit out at both the Conservative and independent candidates. During the election campaign, she claimed the Tories had called the police on her and had implied she had slept with political friends, claims which were strongly denied. Her eligibility to stand was also questioned by Marianne Overton, an independent, who alleged she did not live in the area. Reform 'gives people hope' Dame Andrea said: 'I've never experienced such negativity and soul-destroying campaigns against me like this one. 'The independent's husband pushed for a hearing at the council, my barrister had to represent me. The case was dismissed. 'The campaign was also filled with irony as one of the candidates stated I was parachuted in – she said in her South African accent.' The comment drew murmurs from those watching, as she added: 'They undemocratically tried to remove me from the ballot but I will say no more on this.' When questioned afterwards by reporters, she said: 'What I meant is how can they say I'm parachuted in when I've spent most of my life in Lincolnshire?' She then refused to answer any follow-up questions and said it had been a 'little play on words' which was 'a little joke because of the irony'. Speaking to The Telegraph after her victory, she said: 'Reform gives people hope. ' 'A lot is resting on us – it's about showing we can have common sense policies in local areas and to me it's about having a blueprint of a manifesto which we can then use in government.' She added that 'God-awful Labour' had inspired her back into politics.
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Reform mayor Andrea Jenkyns storms out of Sky News interview after spiky speech
New Reform mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns stormed out of a Sky News interview after being challenged over her decision to refer to a rival's accent in a spiky acceptance speech New Reform UK mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns stormed out of a TV interview after igniting a racism row moments after her election win. The divisive former Tory MP, pushed away a Sky News microphone after being challenged over remarks in a spiky acceptance speech. The mayor of Greater Lincolnshire was questioned after she hit out at a rival "with a South African accent" while moaning about "dirty tricks" by opponents. Dame Andrea had moaned about allegations she was "parachuted in" - and mentioned that the complainant had a foreign accent. Asked why she had referred to this in a heated live TV exchange, Dame Andrea said: "Because the irony of saying someone's being parachuted in who's not even from the country." She was then asked to clarify if she thought someone with an overseas accent could not be from the county. The Reform mayor cut the interview short, saying: "I think actually, I'm not even going to answer any more of your questions. "I think that your questioning is quite divisive. You're looking into things when it was a little play with words, it was a little joke because of the irony. Do you not understand irony?" It came after Dame Andrea complained about her opponents' conduct during the campaign. She was accused of breaking election rules by standing despite not living in the area - a complaint that was dismissed. In her acceptance speech the Reform mayor said: "I've never experienced such negativity and soul destroying campaigns against me like this one. "It was soul destroying. The dirty tricks in the US politics, I believe it's now being imported here into Britain. The Conservatives called the police on me and implied I slept with political friends. "They contacted the mainstream media to smear me. The Independent's husband pushed for a hearing at the council. My barrister had to represent me. The case was dismissed." And she chuckled as she referred to the rival's accent, saying: "The campaign was also filled with irony. As one of the candidates stated, I was parachuted in. She said, you know, in her South African accent. "Now they, undemocratically try to remove me from the ballot, but I will say no more on this and I wish them all well." Dame Andrea, who switched to Nigel Farage's party last year after being kicked out at the general election, won 104,133 votes. She comfortably beat the Tories, who came second with 64,585.
