Izzy Lepone 26 June 2025

Reform council leader resigns leaving teenager in charge

Reform council leader resigns leaving teenager in charge image
Cllr Rob Howard, the Reform UK leader of Warwickshire County Council. © Warwickshire County Council

A Reform UK councillor has stepped down from his role as Warwickshire County Council leader due to health challenges, leaving 18-year-old deputy in charge.

Cllr Rob Howard yesterday resigned from the position after being elected in May, when Reform UK’s local election success saw the party form a minority administration in Warwickshire.

In a statement explaining his decision, Cllr Howard expressed his regret about the resignation, and said he is ‘honoured and privileged to have held the role, even if only for a short time’.

‘The role of Leader is an extremely demanding role and regretfully my health challenges now prevent me from carrying out the role to the level and standard that I would wish’, he said.

‘I remain committed to my continued role working as a county councillor for the benefit of Warwickshire residents’, he added.

Until a new leader is appointed, the local authority has confirmed that Cllr Howard will be temporarily replaced by his deputy, 18-year-old George Finch, councillor for Bedworth Central.

To learn more about Reform UK, check out: Reform UK: What Britain’s fastest rising party stands for.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Camden Learning
Competitive
Camden Learning is a pioneering schools-led partnership bringing together 57 schools. Camden, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Camden Learning

Key Worker - Young Carers

Essex County Council
£25959.0000 - £28621.0000 per annum
Key Worker - Young CarersFixed Term, Full Time£25,959 to £28,621 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Teaching Assistant

Durham County Council
£26,427 pro rata
Temporary from October 26 to August 27. Villa Real School is an all age 2 to 19 years Special School with pupils with SLD, PMLD and Autism. The Gove Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Care Facilitator

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £29,071 - £32,046
We are looking to appoint a temporary Care Facilitator to be responsible for negotiating and arranging appropriate packages of care for individual ser Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Senior Practitioner Access to Records

Durham County Council
Grade 12 - £45,529 - £49,817
Are you an experienced social worker looking to make a difference in a different way? Do you want to use your professional expertise, judgement and u Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner