Will Tories back Reform to lead council again?

All options are in play as to who will run a council where the Reform UK leader quit, says the authority's top Tory - who suggests a Conservative replacement is not off the table.

Warwickshire County Council's political picture was reset on Wednesday when its leader - Reform councillor Rob Howard - stood down after just 41 days, citing health grounds.

It left Howard's deputy, 18-year-old George Finch, holding the reins until the selection of a new leader.

The authority's 57 elected councillors will now have to vote for that individual, a process that is due to take place at the next scheduled meeting of full council on 22 July.

While Reform UK, with 22, has more council seats than any other party, no group commands a majority and will require agreement and votes from political rivals to install Howard's successor.

Once elected, the leader holds day-to-day power and discretion to appoint political leads to all of the council's major service areas.

Howard came in courtesy of support from his own party and the Conservatives, the party that lost power following May's elections.

It was enough despite opposition from the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Labour.

Conservative leader Adrian Warwick told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that his group was scheduled to meet next week and would consider whatever options were put forward as and when they appeared.

Warwick confirmed he had been informed of Howard's resignation on Wednesday but that no further discussions had taken place.

"It was a bolt from the blue for us as well, we weren't expecting it," he said.

"First and foremost, we are desperately sad to hear of Councillor Howard's health concerns and we wish him a speedy recovery."

He added: "No one knows better than the Conservatives the pressures and workload that running Warwickshire County Council brings, we understand that because we did it for long enough. We know it is a tough job.

"Perhaps Reform didn't realise just how tough it would be but ill health is something that can hit anyone at any time. The fact that it has hit him alongside the workload that he has taken on, as Conservatives we just really feel for him on a personal level."

Interim council leader George Finch has publicly declared that his party wants to stay in power.

Warwick said: "We will have to see what Reform brings forward.

"Warwickshire has to function. My group will have a meeting after the weekend and will discuss things when we know more but it is for Reform to put forward their proposals and for the other parties in Warwickshire to look at them and decide what they are comfortable with."

Asked whether that could mean a Conservative candidate for leader, Warwick replied: "We would need to consider all options. That is a discussion for the group next week, whether we want to put someone forward."

Since taking charge, Reform UK has been criticised for the time taken to appoint a cabinet – in particular the role of portfolio holder for transport and planning, as well as vacancies being left on the overview and scrutiny panels that started their work this week.

That criticism has been extended to the Conservatives for supporting their leadership but Warwick insisted he had no regrets.

"The only regret I have is that Councillor Howard has been taken ill, and that's on a personal basis, not a political one," he said.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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