For the past 15 years, it has been straightforward: the Conservatives held a clear majority and total control of Solihull Council. That changed after borough residents went to the polls last week.
As results came in, it became evident that the Reform UK surge—from having no councillors less than a year ago—had complicated matters for the Tories. The Conservatives reached 24 seats, short of the 26 required for a majority by just two.
Following the vote, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) spoke to Conservative leader Councillor Karen Grinsell, who stated her intention to run the council as a minority administration. When asked if she would work with other parties, she replied: “We are still the largest party.”
Reform UK, which had not yet selected a group leader at the time of writing, now holds 17 councillors. The Liberal Democrats have six, and the Green Party has four. Combined, the opposition to the Tories totals 27 councillors. In theory, they could unite to form a three-way rainbow coalition to run the council, but there appears to be no appetite for that.
Councillor Ade Adeyemo, leader of the Liberal Democrats group, told the LDRS: “I can safely say no coalitions. We have no intention of combining with anybody whatsoever.” He added that the new era means the Conservatives must change their thinking. “They need to change from the mindset to assume they have a right to put forward whatever they like and vote it through regardless. The fact they have to consider other people is a good thing for Solihull.”
Councillor Max McLoughlin, leader of the Green group, said: “The way the Conservatives operated in the past, they haven’t tried to develop consensus in the chamber. They will need to mature quickly. If not, it will only negatively affect residents in Solihull. No one wants to see the council chamber squabbling. It doesn’t lead to good decisions; it would damage the reputation of the council.” He argued that the only way Solihull can now be effectively governed is by moving to a committee system, where decisions are made by politically balanced committees of councillors.
The first key moment of this new era is scheduled for May 26, when the first full council meeting takes place. This has often been ceremonial in the past, but with the outcome of vital votes currently unclear, that meeting could provide an insight into the council’s future.
