The Conservative leader who backed George Finch to stay in charge of Warwickshire County Council six months ago is "very surprised" a fresh challenge hasn't landed.

Cllr Adrian Warwick, whose nine-strong Tory group is frequently criticised for backing Cllr Finch and Reform UK to stay in power, had even been braced for a change at the top following talks between right-leaning parties late last month.

In March, support from six Conservative councillors proved decisive as Cllr Finch survived a leadership challenge by one vote with Cllr Jan Matecki suspended from the Tory group for three months for breaking party ranks to vote against the Reform leader.

Restore Britain's leadership this week suggested that Conservative support for Cllr Finch was tactical and based around the hope he would continue to "mess up" ahead of the next set of local elections.

Cllr Warwick refuted that and acknowledged the "inexperienced" Cllr Finch still "has a distance to go" to avoid controversies that have dogged his time in office, including a string of conduct complaints.

In March's leadership debate, Cllr Warwick told Cllr Finch to "take on board" criticisms and "learn".

Asked whether he felt the leader had done so, Cllr Warwick told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "There has been some improvement but there is a distance to go and I am happy to tell him that.

"He is inexperienced in his role but he is in the role that his group has confidence in giving him and they are the largest party.

"If I am anything, I am a democrat. I believe in democracy and that is the position."

He added that Reform's vow not to put a different leader in Cllr Finch was ousted, alongside a "horrible" political balance that leaves none of the parties close to proper control, had seen the Tories emerge from the meeting held in late August with limited options.

"I am not going to break confidence but I am very surprised that a vote of no confidence hasn't come forward based on Restore's position," said Cllr Warwick.

"As far as I was concerned, it was a quick get together to hear what everyone's views were.

"I have spoken to people within Reform as well and it is down to them to choose to bring someone else forward or select to go into opposition if Councillor Finch was to lose a vote.

"I think I am at liberty to say that Reform has been very clear, if he lost they would go into opposition."

He also acknowledged that if ousted, Cllr Finch could stand to be leader straight after, adding to the complications.

With 57 councillors, the winning line for any new leader would be 29 or lower if councillors were not present on the day or abstain – not vote either way.

The Liberal Democrats (14), Greens (6) and Labour could muster 23, maybe 25 with support from independents, while Reform has 17 seats and two supportive independents.

Then you have nine Tories and four Restore councillors.

"It is a mess," said Cllr Warwick.

"All I am trying to do is achieve some sort of administration that works for the benefit of the people of Warwickshire. We still have to deliver services.

"Reform is the largest party. In that position it is up to them to have the go at it, which they have done.

"If other parties want to vote them out and have a go then that is in their gift but I don't know how stable that would be. You have to look at where the ethos and policies of each party lie and it is difficult.

"George has lost 25 per cent of his group in a year which isn't the greatest advert. Okay, two are independents and support the Reform group but the four in Restore now make the difference, it is in their hands.

"Scott Cameron (Restore's deputy group leader) can grumble and moan about everyone else but make the decision – if you want him out, vote with the left parties and get him out.

"Even if my group went with Reform – and there is no guarantee they would – it still wouldn't be enough if they voted against George."