A 19-year-old man is in charge of a £400m budget as the leader of the Warwickshire County Council — which has drawn scrutiny from some people who are shocked that someone so young could have so much responsibility. George Finch is seen as a rising star of the Reform party and is believed to be the youngest council leader in Britain.

George still lives with his parents, can't yet drive, has never voted in a general election, and told the Daily Mail that he has not had a serious girlfriend. But, he seems to be highly regarded by his boss Nigel Farage, and last month, when his Reform party colleague Rob Howard stepped down as leader — citing ill health as the cause — George stepped up. He did what many others wouldn't have and took the initiative when it was required. A vote confirmed Finch's appointment — who is technically still on his summer holiday from Leicester University.

The young politician doesn't seem to be bothered by the fact that he is still a teenager, leaving that for others to worry about as the fact inevitably wades into political discussions.

George told the Daily Mail: "People are comparing me to William Pitt the Younger (who was PM at the age of 24) and Alexander the Great. I'm not saying that – I'm just George – but people do seem obsessed by the age thing."

The new council leader had originally gone on to study politics and international relations at university after sitting his A-levels, but now, he is considering deferring or suspending his studies as he changes his focus to tackling problems in his electorate, such as pot holes – all 107 of them.

He said: "I've spoken to the university, asked their advice, but they don't know what to do, which is hilarious."

Many older adults, especially those with teenage children, are wondering how Finch will handle the pressures and dynamics of dealing with so much responsibility. Some have recanted in horror at the thought of a 19-year-old being in charge of a £400m budget, and they can't help but compare George to their own children of a similar age.

"Some of it is quite funny," admitted George, "But one woman said to me recently, 'My son can't even run a bath', which had me thinking, 'But that's down to you. That reflects badly on you. Why would you say that?' For the record, I can run a bath."

Reform's rising star comes from a background that may surprise many people. George went to a state school, is from a family that supported Labour, and had to take a student loan to get into university. His father Stuart worked in construction until contracting sepsis 'and having to give up his job'. His mother Amy, was a hairdresser but went back to college to study to be a special needs assistant.

The politician has faced many difficulties that those in the wider community also struggle with daily. His younger sister has health complications that have seen the family in and out of A&E for years. Harriet, 14, has special educational needs and lives with FND - functional neurological disorder.

George said he decided to join Reform after briefly considering the Tories and made up his mind when he watched former conservative MP Lee Anderson give a speech.

"I spoke to him afterwards about the wave of wokeism washing over our education establishment, and he said, 'Come and join us'. I did, the very next day," George told The Mail.