Warwickshire County Council Leader Resigns After 41 Days, Deputy Finch Becomes Interim

Rob Howard, the recently elected leader of Warwickshire County Council from Reform UK, has resigned after just 41 days due to health concerns, though he will remain a councillor. His deputy, 18-year-old George Finch, will serve as interim leader until a new leader is confirmed. Howard's brief tenure followed Reform UK's significant gains in the May local elections, where they became the largest party and formed a minority administration. Political rivals, including the Liberal Democrats, Greens, and Labour, who did not support Reform UK's leadership, have questioned whether the party is capable of handling the council's challenges, especially amid ongoing issues such as special educational needs provision, adult social care, and major highways projects. The Reform UK group will need backing from enough political opponents to endorse any new leader following their internal selection process. Liberal Democrat leader Jerry Roodhouse criticized the leadership instability as detrimental to Warwickshire residents, emphasizing the need for stable governance amid pressing local issues.