Appointing a teenager to run a county council with £2 billion at stake isn't just poor judgement—it's a deliberate mockery of democratic government. In this video, I unpack what's really going on behind Reform UK's shocking move in Warwickshire and why this must concern us all.
This is the transcript:
Reform is trolling democracy.
What do I mean?
It's appointed a 19-year-old to be the leader of Warwickshire Council.
That council has a total budget of around £2 billion a year and discretionary spending of around half a billion pounds a year, and they put a 19-year-old in charge.
Now, I don't know what you were doing at the age of 19, and I don't know how mature you were, but I was a pretty confident 19-year-old who had only just left home and was learning how to manage my own expenses for the first time in life.
We're not even clear that this young man has even done that. And yet he's in charge of a council. That, in my opinion, justifies my claim.
What Reform is doing is basically making a mockery of democracy by putting somebody in charge of a council who clearly does not have the life experience to let them do so.
He might have very strong opinions on migration.
He might have rather strong and probably rather obnoxious opinions on gay rights and other such things.
But will he know how to ensure that adult social care is supplied to those who need it, including those who might be gay?
Does he know how to provide for planning?
Does he know how to ensure that local roads, which will be the responsibility of that council, are maintained?
Can he be guaranteed to be in charge in a competent manner of bin collection?
I very much doubt it. I very much doubt that any 19-year-old could do that, and I doubt it for one very good reason. They simply haven't got the training and necessary experience to do so. And by allowing this appointment to take place, Reform shows us what they think of us.
They're treating us with contempt.
They're making a mockery of the whole system of local government.
They are undermining democracy and public services, and they're doing so deliberately.
These people are not to be trusted. They're not serious about meeting our needs. They're trying to destroy the very foundation of UK society, and for that reason, I don't think that anybody should be voting for them because they're a danger to us all.
But what do you think? We're putting up a poll. Do you think a 19-year-old should be in charge of a UK county council? If you do, say yes; if you don't, say no; and if you're not sure, I'll provide that option as well; but I'll be interested to see what you think.
Poll
Should a 19-year-old be leader of a county council?
- No (90%, 478 Votes)
- Let's see what happens (5%, 26 Votes)
- Yes (3%, 17 Votes)
- I don't know (2%, 10 Votes)
Total Voters: 531
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You are right.
This is making a mockery of local democracy and the rich turds who bank roll Reform are having a huge laugh at our expense.
Not even Samuel Beckett could have dreamt of this.
Where is the video???
My error.
It will be out at 5
It’s not even uploaded as yet…I published early by mistake
As a resident of said area, I (and a large number of others) agree. From being almost totally Blue a few years ago Warwickshire is now very much a county of two halves – north = Reform, south = GreenlLibDem. From the look of the voting, the Tory group was to blame for giving us young George by abstaining, leaving the Chair (Reform) with the casting vote. Just ONE Tory doing the sensible thing would have handed the leadership to the Lib Dems, but oh no, local party politics is just too toxic (as I found out myself when volunteering as Treasurer to a local charity some years ago). It seems the Tories in Warwickshire would rather get one over on their political opponents than make sensible decisions for the population they represent.
It’s been widely reported that Reform immediately put forward plans to spend £150k on political advisors for the the main parties on the council because “council officials are not coming up with the innovative ideas needed to reduce costs” (after years of austerity, I wonder why not? Could it be that there is precious little non-statutory spend left to cut?). That hasn’t gone down well locally! And with these attitudes and Reform’s stated approach to disability, I worry for Special Educational needs children, given that Warwickshire apparently has one of the biggest LA deficits on SEND. One small silver lining is that their attempt to get Warwickshire’s declaration of the climate emergency overturned, failed. No doubt they will try again. I’m not feeling very optimistic at the moment!
I can understand why
I find it very interesting that Reform is opposed to Net Zero policies due to the alleged cost to the public, while missing the unnecessary things that have been forced on us by polluters. Two recycling bins outside every home, with us sorting our rubbish and thinking we are saving the world? It would be easier to mandate that the waste isn’t created in the first place. Of course, governments fell for it and took on the problem, letting manufacturers off the hook. Reform could save millions by addressing this, but what they are really after is the money on offer from corporations and industry. Net zero will cost the rich, so they pay a little to groups like Reform, the Conservatives, Labour, to run the grift.
Why do conservative inclined people fall for grifters?
https://pluralistic.net/2025/07/22/all-day-suckers/#i-love-the-poorly-educated
He will also be a corporate parent to 100’s of looked after children and asylum seeker children, and council leader for child protection, children in need, SEND.
Which is frightening
For any position, and especially one that has as much responsibility, a competency assessment MUST and should be made
Are Reform seriously suggesting this is the best candidate they have – doesn’t say a lot about the others ….
Does he pay council tax (personally)?
It will be interesting watching Reform UK Ltd-led WCC putting his SEND promises (from October 2024) into practice…
https://thenewreformer.uk/2024/10/01/the-attack-on-the-innocent/
I hope he is reminded of his promises on an hourly basis.
I imagine that 19 year olds in charge of £2 billion budgets would, in some circumstances, make useful idiots for people who want to make a bit of money.
When appointing anyone to a post there is a question about the responsibility to the person being appointed and in this case Reform has failed miserably.
He could potentially end up being personally liable for money misspent, is this fair on a 19 year old?
I do understand that migration has become an issue. However I cannot support Nigel Ferage’s far right views. Endorsing and inviting Enoch Powell? Affiliation with the the far right, almost Hitler since his school days?
How about repatriation/resettlement of those countries that we have extracted by our wrong doing, whilst fulfilling our needs/greed?
It upsets me that those that call for destruction elsewhere, are upset themselves when the door knocks.
I feel the pain, living in County Durham.
Hopefully all it will take is for another reform councillor in Warwickshire to decide the work is too difficult and resign to have a reshuffle at the top.
We have a man who has run his own businesses which have gone bankrupt as leader. His deputy is someone who worked with Farage on GBNews, but was sacked, although he says he resigned, and who has moved back home to live with his mum.
Their first action was to get rid of the declaration on climate change.
It will end in tears…
A contrarian view, or perhaps I am turning into a troll. Firstly, a 19-year old has a far greater stake in the consequences of their actions than this 84-year old. Secondly, substitute “woman” for “19-year old” and think back 100+ years (or even today, in many places). Where I grew up, “catholic” would be equally damning. Youth can suffer from inexperience, but old age can equate to ceasing to learn. In one sense, we should cheer a 19-year old with any interest in politics, however awful. In meetings I go to, it is rare to see anyone under 60. How can we persuade 19-year olds that they have a stake in the future and that they need to find a voice.
I am sorry – but I have to disagree with that
And none of those contrasts make sense either
Women, catholics and others might have had ability and, vitally, experience.
He has not.
But you are right, maybe we need an upper age limit too
The labour party has decided that 16 and 17 year olds can vote in general elections.
However, they decided at their NEC meeting at the beginning of this week that they are not old enough to stand for their CLP. It seems they are full of contradictions, too.