ANDREA JENKYNS
About Andrea
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PERSON BEHIND THE POLITICIAN
Dame Andrea Jenkyns DBE MP is a straight-talking Yorkshire woman motivated by family, community, and nation – three principles that underlie all that she does, across our area, and in Parliament.
Never shying away from taking the tough decisions, Andrea has been an outspoken and independent voice, for the residents of Morley and Outwood, during her time in Parliament. She hasn’t been afraid to challenge Government, putting Morley and Outwood ahead of party political interests.
Dame Andrea is proud of her Yorkshire heritage and lives here in Morley and Outwood, representing the community that she’s proud to be a part of.
Previous Appointments
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State – Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, Skills, and Apprenticeships
Government Whip
Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG)
Chair of several All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPG)
Former President of the Local Government Association (LGA)
About Andrea
The concept of hard work was instilled in Andrea, by her parents Clifford and Valerie, at a young age; leaving school at 16 to enter the world of work as a Shop Assistant at Greggs.
She worked her way up in management and area-management for various retailers, including being a store manager in our very own White Rose Centre. Throughout her diverse career, Andrea has worked in both the public and private sectors and across a range of industries, including education, Commerce, Business Development and has also run her own business.
In her late-thirties Andrea decided to study Economics through the Open University and embarked upon a Degree in International Relations and Politics, graduating at the age of 40. Andrea balanced her studies alongside a busy working life.
Andrea’s Family
Andrea’s pride and joy is her six year old son, Clifford, born on the 29th of March 2017. As an early supporter of Brexit and the Yorkshire MP coordinator for the Vote Leave campaign, Andrea was thrilled that her son’s birthday fell on the date of triggering of Article 50.
Outside of her Parliamentary responsibilities, Andrea devotes her time to her family and is enjoying all the joys that come with raising a young child.
Clifford is named after Andrea’s late and beloved father, whose tragic death in 2011 was the driving force behind Andrea’s entry into politics. Following the loss of her father, Andrea became a Trustee and the Regional Representative (Voluntary) for the charity MRSA Action UK and has been campaigning for compassionate patient care since then.
Andrea’s beloved mother, Valerie, sadly passed away in December 2022, following a short illness. Having seen the disparity in healthcare and treatment, Dame Andrea remains committed to ensuring that every patient is able to access high-quality, compassionate healthcare.
Fun Facts About Andrea
· Andrea is a classically trained soprano singer and songwriter and has used her music to help Macmillan, Wish upon a Star, Help for Heroes, Home Start, Save The Children, the Army Benevolent Fund and the Doris Banham Dog Charity to fundraise.
· Andrea has been a vegetarian for over 20 years and an animal lover even longer. With three dogs, Gertrude and Godiva (Miniature Schnauzers) and Suzie (a rescue dog from Whitehall Dog Rescue in East Ardsley) Andrea has her hands busy.
· In her first year in Parliament Andrea’s dogs, Lady and Godiva, won the Westminster Dog of the Year competition.
· In 2021, Andrea founded Animals Matter, a UK campaign to promote and improve animal welfare at home, in Parliament, and around the globe.
