Latest news with #ReformUK-led
ITV News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Who is George Finch - UK's youngest council leader and Reform's new leader for Warwickshire?
A Reform UK-led council has a new interim leader, thought to be the youngest ever in the UK at 18 years old. Councillor George Finch was confirmed as the interim leader at Warwickshire County Council, after Cllr Rob Howard stepped down from his post just 41 days into the job. In a statement, Cllr Howard cited "health challenges", saying it was a "very difficult decision", but that he would continue as a county councillor. It left political rivals questioning whether Reform UK is "up to the task". Who is George Finch? Cllr Finch, who is from Nuneaton, is one of the UK's youngest councillors - with candidates only able to stand for election if they are 18 or older. He represents the Bedworth Central ward. He has been a main contributor for the Reform-run website The New Reformer, writing articles and featuring in social media videos. At one point, he was named as its Associate Editor. On a profile page, Cllr Finch describes his main principles: "having integrity, honesty and respect". He continued: "I've played rugby since I was four, which gave me great team-building skills and leadership skills. "If I was to be politically summed up in a few words it would be; Brexit, sovereignty, strong military and most importantly a strong and united family unit. "As I always say who has the strongest shoulder in society must support and help others, as long as they contribute in their own way." Cllr Finch has previously served as a Youth Councillor for Nuneaton and Bedworth. Before the General Election last July, Cllr Finch claimed on social media he was "kicked out" of the Conservative party. In another video, he said he spent three months as a Conservative Party member but was frustrated as he "saw illegal immigration. What happens next for Warwickshire? The county council will probably have to go through a selection process for a permanent leader. It confirmed on Wednesday Cllr Finch will 'serve as interim leader until the council confirms a new leader in due course'. That is because although Reform UK is the biggest party on Warwickshire County Council, it does not have 'overall majority' - fewer than half of the 57 councillors are Reform. The new leader needs support from more than half of the council - so Reform councillors in Warwickshire need to draft in support from other parties. Cllr Howard was appointed with votes from his own party and support from all bar one of the Conservatives who attended May's annual council meeting.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Reform UK to give council Musk-style audit
Reform UK plans to send its Elon Musk-style Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) team into West Northamptonshire Council to assess "wasteful spending". The council has become one of the frontrunners to receive a visit from the party's new audit team, including software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors. However, a party spokesperson said there was not currently a timetable for the Northamptonshire visit. The authority's Conservative group leader said savings could be achieved "without the gimmicks". Reform UK took 42 of the 76 seats in the council after the local elections on 1 May to run it as a majority. The party took control of eight authorities from the Conservatives - including neighbouring North Northamptonshire - along with Doncaster from Labour and Durham, which was run as a coalition. The idea follows the US Doge, which was launched in January after President Donald Trump took office to cut federal spending. Billionaire Musk was involved but has since left his position spearheading the unit. Reform UK chair Zia Yusuf announced on X that West Northamptonshire and Lancashire were next in line to be visited by the audit team. Reform UK claimed the work would be completed free of charge. The party said the unit would use artificial intelligence and advanced data analysis tools to find any waste. Although the Doge team would be able to give tips and tricks, elected councillors and leadership would decide whether to act on recommendations. A Reform UK party spokesperson said: "The taskforce will identify and eliminate wasteful spending, increasing transparency and ensuring taxpayer money is spent solely on activity that benefits local people." Mark Arnull, Reform UK leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said: "Since forming the council's new political administration we have been working closely with senior officers, building good relationships and meeting regularly as we start to shape our future priorities for communities across West Northants." Daniel Lister, leader of the Tory opposition, said: "We made over £115m in efficiency savings under the last Conservative administration and we were committed to finding even more, so we know savings can be achieved without the gimmicks. "This new so-called 'efficiency unit', parachuted in and styled on the Trump/Musk Doge model in the United States, delivered only a fraction of the promised savings over there, while increasing spending and gutting support for veterans, the homeless and other essential services. Is that really the reform people voted for? "We will be watching closely to ensure the key services our communities rely on are not sacrificed for short-term political theatre." Meanwhile, on Tuesday evening the first cabinet meeting of the new Reform UK-led council was disrupted by clean air campaigners. It was paused after a number of public speakers refused to stop talking when asked by the leader of the council, and cabinet members briefly left the room. Protestors from Clean Air Northampton and 1,000 Voices spoke on an item about a public space protection order to stop car cruising, which was eventually supported by cabinet - and will be implemented for a maximum period of three years with the opportunity to extend. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Car cruising may be banned under new order Reform UK councillor 'honoured' to lead authority Reform council leader criticised on net zero stance Local Democracy Reporting Service West Northamptonshire Council
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reform UK formally votes in new council leader
Newly elected members at a Reform UK-led council have come together for the first time at the authority's annual meeting. North Northamptonshire Council's chamber in Corby saw 65 of its 66 elected councillors attend and formally approve the new leader of the unitary local authority, as well as appoint other positions and make committee arrangements. The Conservatives lost control of the council as Reform UK won 39 seats in the local elections earlier this month. Martin Griffiths said it was a "privilege to be chosen as leader of the council". The new political make-up of the 68-seat council is: 39 Reform UK councillors 13 Conservative 8 Green 4 Labour 1 Liberal Democrat 1 Independent There are currently two vacancies in the Higham Ferrers ward, where the election was postponed due to death of a Liberal Democrat candidate. The election for those seats will take place 12 June. The Tories had been in control of the council since the first elections for the authority in 2021, but lost 37 seats. It is now the largest opposition group and its deputy group leader David Howes said: "Hopefully we will all work together as much as we can." The Greens gained five councillors after the 1 May poll and group leader Emily Fedorowycz said: "We will not support leadership or action that is dictated by Westminster. "We don't want national figureheads or parties running this council. We want it to be run by local people and represented by us in this room." Labour lost eight seats in the elections and group leader Mark Pengelly told the meeting: "We will work with everybody on the council, but we will be holding you to account where we have to, and hopefully we can see four years of improvements for all of North Northamptonshire." A new group has been formed made up of the Independent and Liberal Democrat councillors called the Communities Alliance and it is led by long-serving independent councillor Jim Hakewill, who also stood for Parliament in Kettering in last year's general election, when Labour's Rosie Wrighting won the seat. Griffiths told the meeting: "The first residents survey for the council will take place in the first few months and we will also consult on our priorities we propose in our new corporate plan." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Councillor 'honoured' to lead local authority Reform seize control of two Northamptonshire councils Reform UK take control of two Northants councils North Northamptonshire Council
