- Reform UK has selected 18-year-old George Finch to permanently lead Warwickshire County Council, which manages £1.5bn in assets and a £500m budget.
- Labour MPs Preet Gill and Rachel Taylor have criticised the appointment, stating that the people of Warwickshire deserve better and questioning Finch's lack of experience for such a significant role.
- Finch's selection follows the resignation of the previous Reform leader, Rob Howard, who stepped down just weeks after being elected, citing health challenges.
- The party has experienced recent internal instability, with other newly elected councillors resigning or causing controversy shortly after the local elections.
- Despite earlier surges, recent by-election losses and a slight decline in national polling figures suggest that Reform's momentum may be slowing.
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