Reform UK has made headlines by selecting 18-year-old George Finch to lead Warwickshire County Council, placing him in charge of a budget of approximately £500 million and £1.5 billion in public assets.
Finch initially stepped in as a temporary replacement following the resignation of the previous council leader, also a member of Reform UK. The resignation came just weeks after local election victories that saw the party make significant gains across England.
Despite his age, Finch has now been confirmed as the party’s choice to lead Warwickshire’s top-tier local authority. His appointment marks a bold move by Nigel Farage’s party, which has emerged as the largest political group on the council, though it still lacks an overall majority. As such, cross-party support will be essential when the official council leadership vote takes place later this month.
The decision has sparked considerable political backlash. Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, Preet Gill, voiced strong objections, arguing that Warwickshire residents deserve a more experienced leader. Her concerns were echoed by Rachel Taylor, Labour MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth, who criticised the appointment and called on Conservative councillors to reject it during the upcoming vote.
Finch, a former Conservative, was formally selected as the permanent head of the Reform group on Friday. His appointment follows a series of controversies that have hit Reform UK since their success in the recent local elections.
Former council leader Rob Howard resigned citing health issues, stating he could no longer fulfil his responsibilities to the standard expected. In the aftermath of the election surge, several newly-elected Reform councillors have also stepped down.
Donna Edmunds resigned shortly after winning her seat, while Wayne Titley, elected in Staffordshire, quit within two weeks following backlash over a social media post. Additionally, a councillor in Durham triggered a by-election after failing to disclose his employment with the council.
Despite internal instability, recent polling indicates that support for Reform UK remains relatively steady. However, political analysts suggest the party’s rapid rise may be slowing. Conservative peer Robert Hayward recently noted a slight drop in national polling and pointed to Reform’s poor performance in recent council by-elections as a sign that momentum may be faltering.
Meanwhile, business leaders and senior Labour figures have urged Sir Keir Starmer not to be distracted by Reform’s growth, arguing that the party’s long-term impact on British politics remains uncertain.
As Warwickshire awaits the final council leadership vote, all eyes are on whether the young candidate will secure enough support to officially take the reins, and whether Reform’s gamble on youth will prove a bold success or a costly misstep.
