Reform’s Rob Howard to lead Warwickshire County Council as Greens and Lib Dems edged out of control

The political landscape of Warwickshire has shifted dramatically, as Reform UK’s Rob Howard has become the Leader of Warwickshire County Council, with his party taking minority control following the local elections.

The party surged to the top of the council in May winning 23 of the total 57 seats, allowing both the Chairman and the Leader of the Council to be Reform councillors.

The Conservatives suffered historically high losses, down 33 seats to just nine. The Labour Party now holds three seats on the council, the Green Party seven, and the Liberal Democrats 14. One independent candidate was elected at the elections.

Together, [Reform UK and the Conservatives] elected Councillor Rob Howard as Leader of the Council, who has since elected a complete cabinet built of Reform party members

Following such a bruising defeat, which saw them lose control of the council, the Conservatives have supported Reform UK in order to block Labour and the Liberal Democrats from taking control.

Together, both right-wing parties elected Councillor Rob Howard as Leader of the Council, who has since elected a complete cabinet built of Reform party members. 18-year-old Cllr George Finch will serve as the Council’s Deputy Leader, while Cllr Wayne Briggs will be responsible for the education portfolio.

Cllr Howard described his appointments to the cabinet as “a team of individuals who bring energy, expertise, and a shared commitment to practical leadership”. He added that the cabinet will be a “responsible, community-focused administration, dedicated to delivering meaningful results”.

There have been accusations that a deal was brokered between the two parties in order to block the Liberal Democrats and Labour – who will now sit in opposition – from taking power.

Cllr Howard was not present at the leadership vote, with his absence seen by some as a symbolic misstep which demonstrates his party’s unreadiness to govern

However, the Conservative group leader, Cllr Adrian Warwick, insisted that “there is no deal”, arguing that the move was simply to ensure a functioning council.

Nevertheless, with Reform needing the Conservatives’ backing to form a cabinet, the private nature of such a potential agreement has drawn criticism from the opposition for its lack of transparency, setting the stage for potentially covert politics in the next four years.

In a further twist, Cllr Howard was not present at the leadership vote, with his absence seen by some as a symbolic misstep which demonstrates his party’s unreadiness to govern. The Liberal Democrats, for example, criticised Cllr Howard’s absence, saying that it demonstrated the “administration’s priorities”.

Already, the opposition parties have promised to hold Reform’s leadership to account, with the Liberal Democrats leader Cllr Jerry Roodhouse saying that his party will “bring forward our own proposals so that all communities and residents in Warwickshire have an equal opportunity to develop and to prosper in an environmentally sustainable and inclusive way”.

We now have important work ahead, and we will be judged by how well we serve

Cllr Rob Howard, Warwickshire County Council Leader

The Green Party also added that “while Reform might have the highest number of councillors, it only gives them a partial mandate”, citing Reform’s 30% popular vote figure.

Even the Conservatives – who backed Cllr Howard’s leadership bid – have pledged to hold Reform to account. Cllr Adrian Warwick told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It is now their chance to show whether they can do it or possibly find it a lot more difficult than they might have expected.”

Warwickshire is set to be a testing ground for Reform UK’s viability as a governing party. Each move will be scrutinised by the opposition and will potentially affect the future of their fragile control over power. Indeed, the new leader concluded his cabinet announcement by saying, “We now have important work ahead, and we will be judged by how well we serve.”