I wish Cllr Finch well as Leader, but I remain deeply sceptical that he has the experience needed to deliver change for my constituents.

I have met Cllr Finch and know him to be a charismatic and ambitious young man, but my constituents need someone with a proven track record to fix our potholed roads, special education services, and social care system.

The fact that even the Conservatives refused to back Reform's choice for leader demonstrates the level of disquiet about this inappropriate appointment.

Reform in Warwickshire need Tory backing to vote in their teenage council leader, and we’re now seeing the price for that support - tens of thousands of pounds for political staff. Reform said they’d save taxpayers money. Instead it’s being spent on a big fat bribe.

Reform in Warwickshire urgently need to get a grip so they can start governing effectively in the interest of Warwickshire residents.

While I am sorry to hear about Cllr Rob Howard’s health challenges and wish him and his family well, questions remain about how he came to resign after just six weeks in the job and about the qualifications of his eighteen-year-old replacement.

Since the local elections there have been questions about how well this new Reform council is functioning, not helped by the Leader missing the first meeting to take a holiday to the Dominican Republic or telling the local paper his Council didn’t have any specific policies.

I want to thank everyone who supported this campaign - especially @jacobcolliermp.bsky.social @marietidball.bsky.social and the 103 other MPs who backed my amendment. I also want to thank the team at the Home Office for listening to why this change was needed. Equality has taken a step forward.