2010 Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council election

The 2010 Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council election took place on 6 May 2010 to elect members of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council in the West Midlands, England. One third of the council was up for election and the council stayed under no overall control.[1]

Map of the results of the 2010 Solihull election. Conservatives in blue, Liberal Democrats in yellow and Labour in red.

Campaign

Before the election the council was run by the Conservatives, but without an overall majority after Castle Bromwich councillor, Ian Hillas, had defected to independent in 2009.[2] 2 sitting councillors stood down at the election, Liberal Democrat Bob Reeves from Lyndon ward and the British National Party's George Morgan from Chelmsley Wood ward.[3] 17 seats were contested in the election with candidates from the Conservative party, Liberal Democrats, Labour Party, Green Party and British National Party.[3]

There was also a new party contesting 15 of the 17 seats, the Solihull and Meriden Residents' Association. This was formed by a number of independents in response to a council tax rise of 2.5% and to address what they saw as a loss of democracy in local council politics.[3] Among the candidates for the Solihull and Meriden Residents' Association was Trevor Eames a former Independent Ratepayer councillor for 18 years, who had resigned from the council after being jailed for 7 years, but who said he wanted to serve as councillor as "recompense".[4][5] The only independent candidate Neil Watts was on the ballot paper and described in the press as an independent, but was endorsed as a candidate for the Solihull and Meridan Residents Association.[6][7][8]

The Solihull and Meriden Residents' Association wanted to have local referendums, reduce councillors pay and have local council officers deal with graffiti and flytipping.[3] Other issues in the election included the removal of maternity services from Solihull, preserving green space and the future of Jaguar Land Rover.[3]

Election result

The results saw no party win a majority on the council after the Conservatives lost 2 seats to have 23 councillors.[5] The Liberal Democrats had 19 seats after gaining Elmdon from the Conservatives defeating cabinet member Ken Hawkins by 128 votes.[9] Labour gained Kingshurst and Fordbridge ward from the Conservatives by 110 votes and also took Chelmsley Wood from the British National Party finishing ahead of the Green Party candidate by just 22 votes.[6][9] Chelmsley Wood had been the British National Party's only seat, while the results meant Labour held 7 seats after the election.[5] The Solihull and Meriden Residents' Association failed to win any seats, with their most high-profile candidate Trevor Eames coming third in Shirley South.[5]

Following the election the Liberal Democrat and Labour parties formed a coalition to run the council, with Liberal Democrat Ian Hedley being elected leader of the council with 26 of the 51 votes on 25 May.[2]

Solihull Local Election Result 2010[6][10]
Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  Conservative 8 Steady Decrease 2 Decrease 2 47.1 41.6 44,409 Decrease 6.1
  Liberal Democrats 6 Increase 1 Steady Increase 1 35.3 30.9 32,997 Increase 3.5
  Labour 3 Increase 2 Steady Increase 2 17.6 13.1 13,953 Increase 5.1
  BNP 0 Steady Decrease 1 Decrease 1 0.0 6.2 6,618 Decrease 2.7
  Green 0 Steady Steady Steady 0.0 4.2 4,444 Decrease 0.5
  Residents Association 0 Steady Steady Steady 0.0 4.0 4,206 Increase 4.0

This result had the following consequences for the total number of seats on the council after the elections :[10]

Party Previous council New council
Conservatives 25 23
Liberal Democrat 18 19
Labour 5 7
Green 1 1
Independent 1 1
BNP 1 0
Total 51 51
Working majority  Decrease 1   Decrease 5 

Ward results
Bickenhill[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alan Martin 2,887 48.9 Decrease 17.7
Labour Florence Nash 1,186 20.1 Increase 9.9
Liberal Democrats Martin Smith 983 16.6 Increase 10.7
BNP Patricia Allington 496 8.4 Decrease 4.9
Residents Association Michelle Wright 189 3.2 Increase 3.2
Green Alexander Hawkeswood 164 2.8 Decrease 1.2
Majority 1,701 28.8 Decrease 24.5
Turnout 5,925 62.5
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 13.8
Blythe[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Brian Burgess 3,312 46.4 Decrease 1.9
Liberal Democrats Charles Robinson 2,322 32.5 Decrease 13.9
Labour Raj Singh 682 9.6 Increase 6.4
Residents Association Linda Brown 426 6.0 Increase 6.0
BNP George Angus 310 4.3 Increase 4.3
Green Moustafa Osman 89 1.2 Decrease 1.0
Majority 990 13.9 Increase 12.0
Turnout 7,162 70.1
Conservative hold Swing Increase 6.0
Castle Bromwich[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Mike Robinson 2,914 47.5 Decrease 20.2
Labour Irma Shaw 1,304 21.3 Increase 12.2
Liberal Democrats Andrew Bull 1,039 16.9 Decrease 9.6
BNP Eddie Stainfield 668 10.9 Decrease 2.2
Green Scott Rhodes 109 1.8 Decrease 1.0
Residents Association Joanna Hall 102 1.7 Increase 1.7
Majority 1,610 26.2 Decrease 28.4
Turnout 6,154 66.8
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 16.2
Chelmsley Wood[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Nick Stephens 1,140 25.9 Decrease 6.5
Green Ronnie Cashmore 1,118 25.4 Increase 19.9
Conservative Gail Sleigh 897 20.4 Decrease 9.0
BNP Andrew Terry 650 14.8 Decrease 11.4
Liberal Democrats Liz Adams 542 12.3 Increase 5.8
Residents Association Dawn O'Nyons 49 1.1 Increase 1.1
Majority 22 0.5 Decrease 2.5
Turnout 4,415 48.4
Labour gain from BNP Swing Decrease 13.2
Dorridge and Hockley Heath[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Ian Courts 3,891 58.6 Decrease 7.3
Liberal Democrats Jo Hodgson 1,430 21.5 Increase 4.3
Labour Barry Beattie 566 8.5 Increase 5.0
Residents Association Andy Moore 443 6.7 Increase 6.7
Green Sara Stevens 175 2.6 Decrease 3.4
BNP Andrew Taylor 131 2.0 Decrease 5.4
Majority 2,461 37.1 Decrease 11.7
Turnout 6,654 76.6
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 5.8
Elmdon[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Martin Hewings 2,721 41.3 Increase 0.9
Conservative Ken Hawkins 2,593 39.4 Increase 4.6
Labour Hugh Hendry 658 10.0 Increase 4.7
BNP Tony Greenshields 402 6.1 Decrease 9.1
Residents Association Kay Howles 134 2.0 Increase 2.0
Green Elaine Williams 79 1.2 Decrease 0.5
Majority 128 1.9 Decrease 3.7
Turnout 6,614 70.8
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing Decrease1.8
Kingshurst and Fordbridge[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour David Jamieson 1,385 31.6 Increase 1.5
Conservative Rob Hall 1,275 29.1 Decrease 8.1
Liberal Democrats Angi Wright 684 15.6 Increase 9.4
BNP George Rouse 667 15.2 Decrease 7.9
Green John Kimberley 210 4.8 Increase 1.5
Residents Association Margaret Inglis 165 3.8 Increase 3.8
Majority 110 2.5 Decrease 4.6
Turnout 4,416 46.8
Labour gain from Conservative Swing Increase 4.8
Knowle[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Diana Holl-Allen 3,660 58.2 Decrease 5.2
Liberal Democrats Tony Dupont 1,351 21.5 Increase 5.7
Labour Hayley Conboy 450 7.2 Increase 3.5
Residents Association Josephine Herbert 326 5.2 Increase 5.2
Green Jane Holt 289 4.6 Decrease 0.2
BNP Robert Lassen 217 3.4 Decrease 6.6
Majority 2,309 36.7 Decrease 10.9
Turnout 6,311 76.0
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 5.4
Lyndon[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Theresa Tedd 3,552 51.7 Increase 2.9
Conservative Greg Goldingay 1,819 26.5 Increase 0.4
Labour Margaret Brittin 803 11.7 Increase 5.5
BNP David Reynolds 559 8.1 Decrease 4.6
Green Frances Grice 137 2.0 Decrease 0.5
Majority 1,733 25.2 Increase 2.5
Turnout 6,854 68.3
Liberal Democrats hold Swing Increase 1.2
Meriden[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Ken Allsopp 3,845 55.9 Decrease 16.1
Liberal Democrats Hugh McCredie 1,362 19.8 Increase 10.8
Labour Cathy Connan 928 13.5 Increase 6.1
Residents Association Wayne Wright 369 5.4 Increase 5.4
BNP Russell Phillips 228 3.3 Decrease 3.4
Green Roger King 143 2.1 Decrease 2.8
Majority 2,483 36.1 Decrease 26.9
Turnout 6,899 73.2
Conservative hold Swing Decrease13.4
Olton[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats John Windmill 3,513 50.7 Decrease 3.1
Conservative Robert Hulland 2,336 33.7 Increase 0.4
Labour Alan Jacques 524 7.6 Increase 2.9
BNP Stanley Williams 297 4.3 Increase 4.3
Green Joel Butler 164 2.4 Decrease 0.8
Residents Association Peter Chan 94 1.4 Increase 1.4
Majority 1,177 17.0 Decrease 3.6
Turnout 6,960 71.0
Liberal Democrats hold Swing Decrease 1.7
Shirley East[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Ian Hedley 2,439 38.8 Decrease 5.5
Conservative Mark Parker 2,257 35.9 Decrease 6.5
Residents Association (Independent) Neill Watts 605 9.6 Increase 9.6
Labour Kevin Raven 575 9.1 Increase 3.8
BNP Raymond Bailey 284 4.5 Increase 4.5
Green Joy Aldworth 129 2.1 Decrease 0.2
Majority 182 2.9 Increase 0.9
Turnout 6,315 72.2
Liberal Democrats hold Swing Increase 0.5
Shirley South[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Andy Hodgson 2,989 42.9 Increase 5.9
Conservative Phil Brandum 2,299 33.0 Decrease 5.5
Residents Association Trevor Eames 599 8.6 Increase 8.6
Labour Shirley Young 569 8.2 Increase 3.4
BNP Christopher White 398 5.7 Decrease 8.1
Green Adam Cooley 121 1.7 Increase 0.2
Majority 690 9.9 Increase 8.4
Turnout 6,987 70.3
Liberal Democrats hold Swing Increase 5.7
Shirley West[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Simon Slater 2,855 44.1 Increase 0.2
Conservative Hannah Tildesley 1,988 30.7 Increase 3.8
Labour Ian McDonald 715 11.0 Increase 6.1
BNP Douglas Maund 432 6.7 Decrease 5.4
Residents Association John Rogers 320 4.9 Increase 4.9
Green Trevor Barker 162 2.5 Decrease 1.1
Majority 867 13.4 Decrease 3.6
Turnout 6,498 70.1
Liberal Democrats hold Swing Decrease 1.8
Silhill[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Shiela Pittaway 3,090 46.3 Decrease 3.3
Liberal Democrats Steve Green 2,447 36.7 Increase 2.5
Labour Janet Marsh 603 9.0 Increase 4.8
BNP Alan Ashmore 329 4.9 Decrease 4.7
Green Roderick Palmer 116 1.7 Decrease 0.1
Residents Association Hilary Twinberrow 87 1.3 Increase 1.3
Majority 643 9.6 Decrease 5.8
Turnout 6,702 71.4
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 2.9
Smith's Wood[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Donald Cornock 1,368 32.5 Increase 4.3
Green Ken Meeson 1,019 24.2 Decrease 21.0
Conservative Catherine Price 821 19.5 Decrease 2.0
BNP Frank O'Brien 550 13.1 Increase 13.1
Liberal Democrats Tony Ludlow 398 9.4 Increase 4.4
Residents Association Rebecca Hammond 57 1.4 Increase 1.4
Majority 349 8.3 Decrease 8.7
Turnout 4,222 48.0
Labour hold Swing Increase 12.6
St. Alphege[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Stuart Davis 4,525 57.6 Decrease 5.1
Liberal Democrats Eimear Fossey 2,370 30.2 Increase 16.1
Labour Paul Tuxworth 497 6.3 Increase 3.1
Residents Association Steven O'Nyons 241 3.1 Increase 3.1
Green Stephen Holt 220 2.8 Steady
Majority 2,155 27.4 Decrease 21.2
Turnout 7,877 76.3
Conservative hold Swing Decrease10.6

By-elections between 2010 and 2011
Olton by-election 20 January 2011[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Claire O'Kane 1,188 39.7 Decrease 11.0
Conservative David Price 1,179 39.4 Increase 5.7
Labour Andrew Mullinex 280 9.4 Increase 1.8
Residents Association Hayley Watts 228 7.6 Decrease 6.3
Green Ian Jamieson 115 3.8 Increase 1.5
Majority 9 0.3 Decrease 16.7
Turnout 2,990 30.6 Decrease 40.4
Liberal Democrats hold Swing Decrease8.3

References
  1. "Solihull". BBC News Online. 19 April 2009. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  2. "Solihull to be run by coalition". Birmingham Mail. 26 May 2010. p. 2.
  3. "New party vying for solihull seats". Birmingham Mail. 19 April 2010. p. 9.
  4. "Election bid by man who torched wife". Birmingham Mail. 26 April 2010. p. 1.
  5. Cross, Sophie (8 May 2010). "Failure of Eames' revived election bid". Birmingham Mail. p. 3.
  6. "Local Election Results 2010" (PDF). Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  7. "Solihull Council local election results". Solihull News.net. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  8. "Vote Solihull and Meriden Residents Association". Solihull and Meriden Residents Association. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  9. "Local election results prompt coalition talks between Solihull's Labour and Lib Dems". Solihull News.net. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  10. "Local elections 2010". London: guardian.co.uk. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  11. "Lib Dems secure Olton seat with just nine votes to spare". Solihull Observer. 21 January 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
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