https://birminghamdaily.co.uk/tags/georgefinch/Recent content in georgefinch on Birmingham DailyHugo -- gohugo.ioen-usSat, 06 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0000https://birminghamdaily.co.uk/former-warwickshire-deputy-leader-condemns-political-assistants-as-waste-of-money/Sat, 06 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0000https://birminghamdaily.co.uk/former-warwickshire-deputy-leader-condemns-political-assistants-as-waste-of-money/The former deputy leader of Warwickshire County Council, Councillor Stephen Shaw (Reform UK, Polesworth), has publicly labeled taxpayer-funded political assistants as “a waste of money,” despite having supported their introduction just months earlier. Shaw, who was responsible for budget setting and served as Councillor George Finch’s right-hand man, made the remarks privately during discussions ahead of the February budget, in the presence of elected officials and staff. During talks on saving costs for the financially challenged council, Shaw pointed to the political assistants—employed by the three largest groups on the council (Reform UK, Liberal Democrats, and Conservatives)—and argued that the funds allocated for these roles could be better spent elsewhere.