Reform UK's George Finch, 19, has added the leadership of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council to his role as leader of Warwickshire County Council, making him the youngest person in the UK to hold two council top jobs simultaneously.
Finch secured the position on Wednesday evening with backing from Conservative councillors, defeating Labour Group leader Brady Hughes. During the heated session, Hughes presented Finch with a Ladybird book on climate change as a "gift." Finch retorted that it would be "the first thing on the bonfire" when Reform reshapes the council.
"The Borough Council needs drastic change," Finch said after the vote. He pledged to prioritize veterans, young care leavers, and the most vulnerable, adding, "not people who have come from outside of the Borough."
His remarks drew sharp interruptions from Labour councillor Caroline Phillips, who called him "ignorant" and stormed out after Finch spoke about protecting women and girls. Green councillor Michele Kondakor questioned whether Finch could manage the workload of both roles.
This is the first time in history that one person has permanently held both leadership positions. Reform is the largest group on the borough council with 15 seats, but no party has overall control, requiring cross-party cooperation.