THE Green Party's lead on Warwickshire County Council was tight lipped over whether his group pulled out of a bid to oust leader George Finch – but admitted it was discussed.

Cllr Jonathan Chilvers led the last vote of no confidence in Reform UK leader Cllr Finch in March, citing his behaviour in the chamber, towards council staff and partners like Warwickshire Police.

Controversies have continued with Cllr Finch criticised for comments about the personal hygiene of political rivals, which he dismissed as a "joke", and allegations that Reform's leadership style had left staff "scared to work" at the council, claims that Cllr Finch insisted were not supported by credible evidence.

Leadership challenges are raised through motions with the county's constitution stating that settled matters should not normally be raised again within six months, although it is possible with the support of enough councillors.

Because Cllr Finch survived by one vote in March, talk of another challenge has always been focused on September's meeting of full council which takes place next week.

Restore Britain's deputy leader Cllr Scott Cameron revealed that the Greens had been expected to make another challenge with his group leader Cllr Luke Cooper invited to and attending a meeting of Warwickshire's right-leaning groups brokered by Reform-linked independent Cllr Ed Harris.

Cllr Cooper joined Cllr Finch, Cllr Harris, Conservative leader Cllr Adrian Warwick and Cllr Yousef Dahmas around the table.

Cllr Finch was later told via email that Restore councillors – all of whom have defected from Reform since the May 2025 elections – would not back him but would support an alternative Reform leader. At the same time, Restore was asked "several times" by an unnamed group to co-sign the motion to vote out the leader, something they stopped short of.

Uncertainty prevailed until Wednesday night when no challenge to Cllr Finch appeared on the agenda for Thursday's meeting (24 September).

The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked Cllr Chilvers to confirm or deny speculation that the Greens had submitted but later withdrew a motion of no confidence in Cllr Finch. He felt it would be inappropriate to say but confirmed the option of another vote had been discussed with other parties, stating it would be "up to them" to comment on their respective positions.

He declared his group would work with any party – including Reform – on tackling the key Green priorities of climate change, energy security and Warwickshire's plummeting performance on issuing education, health and care plans (EHCPs) to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

"Other parties can speculate and squabble with each other all they want, we want to work with people who are prepared to tackle the big issues," he said.

"We have made clear since March that every party is responsible for how they wish to deal with the leader's behaviour. It is up to all of us across the chamber."

Vowing to challenge Reform "in a way that doesn't just descend into squabbling", Cllr Chilvers was less keen to directly tackle the key question – whether his confidence in Cllr Finch as a leader had been restored.

"I've made it very clear that George Finch's behaviour needs calling out, repeatedly," he said.

"The council as a whole needs to come to a decision about how to deal with that behaviour."

When pushed on that question, Cllr Chilvers acknowledged the Greens "disagree with his approach" and "do not want Cllr Finch leading the administration" but extended his criticism to Reform UK's running of the council.

"They've come in promising the earth and been a disaster," said Cllr Chilvers.

"That's why we want to focus on the issues that affect Warwickshire residents like climate change, fuel bills and the SEND crisis – and that's without touching on the mess of transport budgets and road building going through the roof."

Reform councillors have frequently hit back at claims of incompetence, alleging political posturing from the Greens, but Cllr Chilvers vowed to continue challenging the administration in a "factual way".

"When they are being incompetent on things like the Bridge to Nowhere and not finding the savings they claimed they would, we will call them out," he added.