Analysis of last week's local election reveals many Solihull wards were settled by just a handful of votes. The dramatic set of results which led to Solihull Council being in no overall control have also set up the potential for fascinating elections in the coming years.
All-Out Election and Return to Thirds
This year's rare 'all out' election – where all 51 councillors were elected – came as a result of boundary changes. Now the authority reverts back to elections 'by thirds' – where one third of councillors are elected each year, for three years out of four. Those with the lowest number of votes in last week's ballot in each ward serve a year, the second lowest serve two years and the councillor with the highest number of votes will serve four years.
Closest Contests
Among the closest votes were:
- Lyndon – Liberal Democrats Paul McCabe won with 1,421 votes just 42 votes ahead of Reform UK's Mason Beirne.
- Meriden & Arden – Conservative Jane Lamden won with 1,418 votes beating Reform UK's Claire Louise Kelly by just 40 votes.
- Shirley West – Green Party's Alison Wilson won with 1,691 beating her Green Party colleague Steve Caudwell by just 14 votes and Reform UK's Michael Charles Wright by 80 votes.
The Conservatives were two short of the 26 needed for a majority with the new make up of Solihull Council being Conservative Party 24, Reform UK 17, Liberal Democrats 6 and Green Party 4. This means each third elections become even more important with the potential to change this make up.
Councillors Facing Re-Election in 2027
The full list of councillors who will fight for re-election in 2027 are:
- Balsall and Berkswell – Terry Baker, Conservative
- Blythe – Simon Coles, Conservative
- Castle Bromwich – Chris Whelan, Reform UK
- Chelmsley Wood – Phil Tierney, Reform UK
- Dorridge and Hockley Heath – Paul Whitehouse, Conservative
- Elmdon – Robert Johnson, Reform UK
- Fordbridge – Den O'Neil, Reform UK
- Kingshurst and Smith's Wood – Adrian Stefanovici, Reform UK
- Knowle – Edward Fitter, Conservative
- Lyndon – Paul McCabe, Liberal Democrats
- Meriden & Arden – Jane Lamden, Conservative
- Olton – James Johnson, Conservative
- Shirley East and Sharmans Cross – Mark Parker, Conservative
- Shirley South – Alan Wigley, Green Party
- Shirley West – Alison Wilson, Green Party
- Silhill – Wazma Qais, Conservative Party
- St Alphege with Monkspath and Hillfield - Sardul Marwa, Conservative
