Councillor Joseph Boam | |
|---|---|
| Deputy Leader of Leicestershire County Council | |
| In office 14 May 2025 –17 August 2025 | |
| Leader | Dan Harrison |
| Cabinet Member for Adults and Communities | |
| In office 14 May 2025 –17 August 2025 | |
| Member of Leicestershire County Council for Whitwick | |
| Assumed office May 2025 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Russell Boam November 15,2002 Whitwick,Leicestershire,England |
| Political party | Reform UK |
| Other political affiliations | Conservative (–2024) |
| Education | Loughborough College |
| Occupation | Politician ·businessman |
| Website | x |
Joseph Russell Boam (born 15 November 2002) is a British politician and businessman who serves as a Reform UK councillor for Whitwick on Leicestershire County Council. He briefly served as Deputy Leader of Leicestershire County Council and Cabinet Member for Adults and Communities from May to August 2025,becoming one of the youngest people to hold such senior positions in local government. [1]
Boam was born in Whitwick,North West Leicestershire,into a politically active family. His father,Russell Boam,has served as a Conservative councillor on North West Leicestershire District Council since 2015. The family operates several local businesses,including Joseph Boam Properties and the generational ice cream business G. Boam &Sons Pure Ices.[ citation needed ]
After attending Loughborough College,Boam initially pursued politics through the Conservative Party,unsuccessfully standing as a candidate for Thringstone ward in the 2023 North West Leicestershire District Council election. [2]
In 2024,Boam left the Conservative Party and joined Reform UK,citing concerns about "corruption" within the Conservative Party. He became Chairman of Reform UK's North West Leicestershire branch and was described by anti-extremism organisation Hope Not Hate as "a rising star in Reform". [3]
In the May 2025 local elections,Boam was elected as Reform UK councillor for Whitwick division,receiving 1,601 votes. [4] Reform UK won 25 of the 55 seats on Leicestershire County Council,becoming the largest party for the first time in the authority's history.
Boam was appointed Deputy Leader of Leicestershire County Council and Cabinet Member for Adults and Communities in May 2025,at age 22. [5] His appointment to oversee Adults and Communities—one of local government's most challenging portfolios—drew criticism from opposition parties,who questioned his qualifications and experience for such a critical role.
After his election,the Leicester Gazette revealed Boam had posted content on social media that was homophobic,Islamophobic,and sexist. [3] The revelations prompted criticism from the public,councillors and professional organisations,including the British Association of Social Workers,who raised concerns about his suitability for the Adults and Communities portfolio. [5]
In September 2025,Boam was the subject of national media reports after allegations that free ice creams from his family's business,G. Boam &Sons Pure Ices,had been offered near a polling station during a local by-election. Critics argued this could amount to treating,an electoral malpractice. [6] [7] Boam denied any wrongdoing,stating he was not present near the polling station and had no involvement in the incident. [8]
On 17 August 2025,Boam was removed from his positions as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adults and Communities after three months in the roles. The removal came amid reported contentions with council leader Dan Harrison. [1]
