Reform's youngest leader now running two councils

A Reform councillor took on leadership of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council while also holding a permanent leadership role at Warwickshire County Council. He received backing from Conservative councillors and defeated Labour Group leader Brady Hughes. During the election remarks, he said the council needs drastic change and that priorities would focus on people in the borough, including veterans, young care leavers, and the most vulnerable. He criticized housing practices involving people with “medieval attitudes” and said he wanted to protect women and girls. Labour councillors challenged his comments, with one leaving her seat while shouting. Green councillors raised concerns about the workload of holding both leadership roles.

"Finch responded by suggesting it would be "the first thing on the bonfire" when Reform looks to reshape the council. Speaking following his election to the role of leader, Finch said: "The Borough Council needs drastic change." He added: "We are going to put the people of Nuneaton and Bedworth first. We're going to put veterans, young care leavers and the most vulnerable first on our lists of priorities, not people who have come from outside of the Borough.""

"When he was able to continue, Finch added he wanted to ensure that "people with medieval attitudes are not just housed in HMOs [houses in multiple occupancy] without any documentation of where they are or what they are doing. I am wanting to protect our women and girls." Those comments prompted Phillips to interrupt again and leave her seat as she shouted: "Don't ever protect me, I don't need your lot protecting me.""

"Green councillor Michele Kondakor had earlier expressed her concern about Finch taking on the leadership alongside his existing role at Warwickshire County Council, suggesting it was a "full time commitment". It is the first time in the history of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council and Warwickshire County Council that someone has occupied both leadership roles on a permanent basis."

"Reform is the largest group on Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council following the recent local elections but there is no overall control of the council, meaning parties need to work together or ab"

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