Reform UK's youngest council leader survives vote of no confidence by one vote

Last week, opposition councillors tabled a motion questioning teenager George Finch’s conduct in office since he took office.

Green Party Group leader Jonathan Chilvers alleged Finch had “abused the office of leader” and had repeatedly brought the county into disrepute.

Chilvers also criticised what he described as repeated attacks on council staff and partner organisations, as well as the use of the leadership role for political point scoring.

Read more: Reform councillor, 19, believes Black History Month 'should be scrapped'

Today, Finch narrowly survived this attempt to oust him by a single vote, with 27 councillors voting for his removal and 26 calling for him to remain in post.

Two councillors abstained.

Speaking to LBC before the vote, Finch said: “Running a minority administration, it’s tough. You know, it’s probably one of the hardest things you could do if you are running a council.”

He added: “For me, it’s water off a duck’s back. I’ve got a job to do, so I’ll continue to do that job up until that point.”

Mr Finch said it was “business as usual” while the council continued to deal with local issues.

He told LBC: “We’ve got potholes to repair, children’s services to reform. So, you know, it is business as usual for me, it’s just, you know, a normal day at the office.”

“They don’t want Reform having the administration,” he said. “Take us out then. What is your plan?”Mr Finch said that, if removed as leader, he would remain a Reform councillor rather than resign and trigger a by-election, as he says his residents still need representation.

The 19-year-old leader has repeatedly made headlines, including after clashing with Warwickshire County Council’s chief executive over his proposed ban on certain flags at the authority’s headquarters, and in a separate public dispute with Warwickshire Police's chief constable.

The row with the police erupted after George Finch wrote an open letter, which he shared on social media, alleging that two suspects in the investigation into the rape of a teenage girl in the Nuneaton area of Warwickshire were asylum seekers.

He also urged the Home Secretary and Warwickshire Police to release the men's immigration status.

In response to this, Warwickshire Police have denied any suggestion of a cover-up and made public their letter responding to Cllr Finch's claims.