Jason Stockwood, Labour’s candidate for the Greater Lincolnshire mayoral election, is determined to halt Reform UK’s momentum by zeroing in on the cost-of-living crisis. A former chair of Grimsby Town Football Club and a tech entrepreneur with no political background, Stockwood is squaring off against Andrea Jenkyns, a former Conservative MP who switched to Reform UK after losing her seat. This contest is emerging as one of the most closely fought battles in the upcoming local elections.
Reform UK, under Nigel Farage’s leadership, sees Lincolnshire as a potential breakthrough in its local election campaign. Jenkyns has vowed to create “Doge Lincolnshire,” inspired by Elon Musk’s U.S.-based “Department of Government Efficiency,” pledging to cut government waste and oppose what she terms “net zero madness.” The Conservatives, meanwhile, are also aggressively campaigning to maintain their foothold in the region.
Stockwood, however, is confident that Labour can counter Reform’s appeal by addressing voters’ most pressing concerns. “Most people feel politically homeless and are fed up with the status quo,” he said. “They see politics as an elitist cycle that isn’t making their lives better.” He argues that Labour must pivot from abstract discussions about economic growth to tangible issues like rising living costs, stagnant wages, and the loss of local jobs.
In his conversations with voters leaning toward Reform, Stockwood has encountered profound frustration with the political system. One local business owner told him, “We need to blow it all up so we can rebuild it again.” Stockwood views this sentiment as both alarming and reflective of widespread disillusionment. “We’re at a very fragile point in our politics,” he said. “The alternatives to a constructive approach are genuinely frightening.”
Stockwood also aims to debunk what he calls the “nonsense” surrounding opposition to net zero policies, which he sees as a critical issue in the race. He believes Labour can draw lessons from his campaign by emphasizing practical solutions over lofty rhetoric. “People don’t connect with the growth narrative,” he said. “We need to demonstrate how economic growth leads to better public services and improved living standards. Right now, that link isn’t resonating.”
He criticized politicians for often overlooking the human element in their messaging, whether discussing artificial intelligence or economic strategies. “When you talk about sci-fi and robotics, people are thinking, ‘But I can’t pay my rent,’” Stockwood said. “That gap is what we need to close.”
Stockwood’s campaign highlights a broader challenge for Labour as it seeks to reconnect with voters who feel alienated by mainstream politics. By focusing on everyday struggles and offering clear, relatable solutions, he hopes not only to defeat Reform UK but also to provide a model for Labour’s national strategy.
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