Reform's 18-year-old council leader in charge of £414m budget hits out at critics

The new 18-year-old leader of Warwickshire County Council has hit back at critics who say he is too young for the job, after the Tories leapt on the news as proof that Reform is not fit to govern. George Finch was made interim leader of the £1.4million-a-year council after his predecessor, Rob Howard, stepped down due to health reasons.

The teenager will now run the enormous council until a new permanent leader is found. While critics have slammed Nigel Farage's party for allowing the situation to arise, Mr Finch hit back - insisting: "People voted for Reform because they wanted fresh thinking and fresh ideas.

"I may be young, but I am determined to do things differently and fix the problems that the so-called more experienced councillors before me created.

"I've already been looking at how we can implement our Pothole Renewal Plan for the county to fill the 6,500 potholes we inherited, introduce an apprenticeship programme to kick-start careers and improve provisions for children with SEND [special educational needs and disabilities]."

Warwickshire County Council is due to spend £414million on services this financial year, including £194million on education and £250million on social care.

In a social media post, the official Conservative Party X account said the news proved "Reform are not a serious party".

However, Reform hit back: "If it wasn't obvious enough from their 14 years in government, the Tories just confirm it once again. They hate young people."

"I'm sure they much prefer the tens of thousands of illegal migrants they imported in government."

Other X users also pitched in to defend Mr Finch, with Adam Sykes asking the Tories: "Would you trust an 18-year-old to give their life to defend our country?"

Fellow youngster Joseph Boam, Reform's deputy leader of Leicestershire council, added: "Funny how the same party that crashed the economy, hiked taxes, and ran up record debt now want to lecture us about being 'serious'.

"George Finch is 18, yes, but he's principled, capable, and already showing more leadership than many twice his age.

"Reform trusts the next generation. You mock them. That's why your days in charge are numbered."

Reform UK surprised everyone when it won more than 600 council seats in the May local elections, much more than predicted.

The party won a total of 10 councils, bringing their total number of local representatives up to 804.

The Tories lost 676 councillors and 16 councils, winning just half the number of votes as Mr Farage's party.