It's time for 'grown-up politics' as the real work starts now

NEW MAYOR SAYS LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER FOR FUTURE OF LINCOLNSHIRE

- BY JAMIE WALLER Local Democracy Reporter

"I ALWAYS say the only time to be political is when it's election time. Now we've got real work to do.

After Reform UK took over Lincolnshire in a political earthquake, Dame Andrea Jenkyns is keen to put the bitter campaign behind her.

The former Conservative MP swept to victory in the Mayoral race, with more votes than the Tories and Labour candidates combined.

However she was dogged by accusations that she didn’t live in the county and wasn’t eligible to be mayor, which she described as a “smear campaign” after they were dismissed.

Three weeks later, she is extremely busy but more cheerful, settling into her office with the desk flanked by the Union Jack and the four-colour Lincolnshire flag. As the first Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, she will have to work with leaders of councils of all parties, including two that she defeated in the race.