Reform's George Finch bid to become Nuneaton and Bedworth council leader...

The all important meeting is a week today



Reform UK's George Finch will make an historic bid to become Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council's leader.

The 19-year-old is already the youngest ever leader at Warwickshire County Council.

Now the Bedworth representative is vying to become the leader of the borough council. If voted in, he would be the first to hold both positions.

But the group does not have enough seats for majority control. It means at the AGM on Wednesday, May 20 there will be a contest to decide who will become leader.

Last night, May 12, the Reform UK group on Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council elected Coun Finch as its leader, and Coun Mike Bannister as its deputy leader.

It means both will be put forward for the role. However, it is likely to be contested by Labour, the Conservatives and the Green Party.

The winner will either need the backing of another political group, or for another group to abstain in the vote. The victor will lead their group in a minority administration.

Coun Finch said: "Having received the backing of my Group on NBBC, the next step is to put forward my proposal for Reform to govern as a minority administration.

"Once this proposal is accepted at full council later this month, we will start delivering real, noticeable change for the people of Nuneaton and Bedworth – something Labour have had no interest in doing for decades.

"The future is bright for NBBC under Reform.”

CoventryLive will be at the AGM next week, where the position of Mayor will be decided. This is not just ceremonial, it holds huge significance as whoever is Mayor has the casting vote in the event of a tie in the chamber.

Reform's youngest leader now running two councils



The youngest council leader in the UK has taken on the top role at a second council.

Reform UK's George Finch, 19, the leader of Warwickshire County Council, was voted in as leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council on Wednesday evening.

With backing from Conservative councillors, he saw off opposition from Labour Group leader Brady Hughes, who presented him with a Ladybird book about climate change as a "gift" for his victory.

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."

He was interrupted by Labour councillor Caroline Phillips, who branded him "ignorant" for his remarks. She added: "Everything he said is already being done."

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."

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.

he saw off opposition from Labour Group leader Brady Hughes, who presented him with a Ladybird book about climate change as a "gift" for his victory.

Perhaps if she cared more about the people of Nuneaton and Beworth and less about "climate change" she would still be council leader?