# Birmingham Selly Oak (UK Parliament constituency)

Birmingham Selly Oak is a constituency in the West Midlands, represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Alistair Carns of the Labour Party.

## Boundaries

The seat includes many students and staff from the nearby University of Birmingham. Half of the university's Selly Oak campus is located within the constituency. The Cadbury factory and Cadbury World are also within its boundaries.
1955–1974: The County Borough of Birmingham wards of Balsall Heath, Moseley and King's Heath, and Selly Oak.
1974–1983: The County Borough of Birmingham wards of King's Norton, Moseley, and Selly Oak.
1983–1997: The City of Birmingham wards of Bournville, King's Norton, Moseley, and Selly Oak (as they existed on 1 February 1983).
1997–2010: The City of Birmingham wards of Bournville, King's Norton, Moseley, and Selly Oak (as they existed on 1 June 1994).
2010–2018: The City of Birmingham wards of Billesley, Bournville, Brandwood, and Selly Oak.
Major changes, with King's Norton transferred to Birmingham Northfield and Moseley to Birmingham Hall Green. Billesley and Brandwood were transferred from Birmingham Hall Green.
2018–2024: Following a local government boundary review, which did not effect the parliamentary boundaries, the contents of the constituency were as follows with effect from May 2018:
* The City of Birmingham wards of Bournbrook & Selly Park, Druids Heath & Monyhull, Highter’s Heath, and Stirchley, most of Billesley and Bournville & Cotteridge, the majority of Brandwood & King’s Heath, and a small part of Weoley & Selly Oak.
2024–present: Further to the 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the constituency comprises:
* The City of Birmingham wards of Billesley; Bournbrook & Selly Park; Bournville & Cotteridge; Druids Heath & Monyhull; Highter’s Heath; Stirchley; part of Brandwood & King’s Heath; and a small area of Weoley & Selly Oak.
Minor differences reflecting the revised ward structure.

## History

Since its creation in 1955 the seat has switched hands three times between Labour and the Conservatives. The seat has progressively swung towards Labour from being a safe Conservative seat; this has been attributed to housing redevelopments that took place in the 1960s and 1970s. More recently, it has acquired a reputation for electing outspoken MPs, first with the victory of Anthony Beaumont-Dark of the Conservatives in 1979, and then with his defeat by Lynne Jones of the Labour Party in 1992.

## Members of Parliament

| Election | Member | Party |
| 1955 | Harold Gurden | Conservative |
| October 1974 | Tom Litterick | Labour |
| 1979 | Anthony Beaumont-Dark | Conservative |
| 1992 | Lynne Jones | Labour |
| 2010 | Steve McCabe | Labour |
| 2024 | Alistair Carns | Labour |

## Elections
### Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Birmingham Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Alistair Carns | 17,371 | 45.2 | −10.5 |
| | Conservative | Simon Phipps | 5,834 | 15.2 | −16.4 |
| | Reform UK | Erin Crawford | 5,732 | 14.9 | +12.2 |
| | Green | Jane Baston | 4,320 | 11.2 | +7.5 |
| | Independent | Kamel Hawwash | 2,842 | 7.4 | N/A |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Radcliffe | 2,324 | 6.0 | −0.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,537 | 30.1 | +5.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 38,423 | 50.8 | −9.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 75,678 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +13.4 | |

### Elections in the 2010s

General election 2019: Birmingham Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Steve McCabe | 27,714 | 56.0 | −6.9 |
| | Conservative | Hannah Campbell | 15,300 | 30.9 | −1.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Radcliffe | 3,169 | 6.4 | +3.0 |
| | Green | Joe Peacock | 1,848 | 3.7 | +1.9 |
| | Brexit Party | Joseph Tawonezvi | 1,436 | 2.9 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,414 | 25.1 | −5.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,467 | 59.8 | −6.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 82,665 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election 2017: Birmingham Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Steve McCabe | 30,836 | 62.9 | +15.2 |
| | Conservative | Sophie Shrubsole | 15,629 | 31.9 | +2.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Radcliffe | 1,644 | 3.4 | −2.2 |
| | Green | Julien Pritchard | 876 | 1.8 | −3.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15,207 | 31.0 | +12.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,985 | 65.9 | +5.6 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +6.2 | |
General election 2015: Birmingham, Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Steve McCabe | 21,584 | 47.7 | +9.2 |
| | Conservative | Alex Boulter | 13,137 | 29.0 | −2.1 |
| | UKIP | Steven Brookes | 5,755 | 12.7 | +10.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Colin Green | 2,517 | 5.6 | −16.7 |
| | Green | Clare Thomas | 2,301 | 5.1 | +3.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,447 | 18.7 | +11.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,294 | 60.3 | −1.9 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +5.6 | |
General election 2010: Birmingham, Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Steve McCabe | 17,950 | 38.5 | −7.6 |
| | Conservative | Nigel Dawkins | 14,468 | 31.1 | +6.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Radcliffe | 10,371 | 22.3 | −0.7 |
| | BNP | Lynette Orton | 1,820 | 3.9 | New |
| | UKIP | Jeffrey Burgess | 1,131 | 2.4 | +0.1 |
| | Green | James Burn | 664 | 1.4 | −2.4 |
| | Christian | Samuel Leeds | 159 | 0.3 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,482 | 7.4 | −13.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,563 | 62.2 | +2.7 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −4.8 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Birmingham Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Lynne Jones | 19,226 | 46.1 | −6.3 |
| | Conservative | Joe Tildesley | 10,375 | 24.9 | −1.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard Brighton | 9,591 | 23.0 | +6.7 |
| | Green | Barney Smith | 1,581 | 3.8 | +0.5 |
| | UKIP | Ronan Burnett | 967 | 2.3 | +0.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,851 | 21.2 | −4.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,740 | 59.5 | +3.2 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −2.3 | |
General election 2001: Birmingham Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Lynne Jones | 21,015 | 52.4 | −3.2 |
| | Conservative | Kenneth Hardeman | 10,676 | 26.6 | −1.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Osborne | 6,532 | 16.3 | +4.2 |
| | Green | Barney Smith | 1,309 | 3.3 | New |
| | UKIP | Sheila Williams | 568 | 1.4 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 10,339 | 25.8 | −2.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 40,100 | 56.3 | −13.8 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −1.0 | |

### Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Birmingham Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Lynne Jones | 28,121 | 55.6 | +9.6 |
| | Conservative | Graham Greene | 14,033 | 27.8 | −14.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Osborne | 6,121 | 12.1 | +1.8 |
| | Referendum | Laurence Marshall | 1,520 | 3.0 | New |
| | ProLife Alliance | Greg Gardner | 417 | 0.8 | New |
| | Monster Raving Loony | Peter Sheriff-Knowles | 253 | 0.5 | New |
| | Natural Law | Huw Meads | 85 | 0.2 | −0.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,088 | 27.8 | +24.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,550 | 70.1 | −6.5 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +12.1 | |
General election 1992: Birmingham, Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Lynne Jones | 25,430 | 46.0 | +6.7 |
| | Conservative | Anthony Beaumont-Dark | 23,370 | 42.3 | −1.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Osborne | 5,679 | 10.3 | New |
| | Green | Paul Slatter | 535 | 1.0 | −0.2 |
| | Natural Law | Christopher Barwood | 178 | 0.3 | New |
| | Revolutionary Communist | Kenan Malik | 84 | 0.2 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,060 | 3.7 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 55,276 | 76.6 | +3.5 |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +4.3 | |

### Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Birmingham Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Anthony Beaumont-Dark | 23,305 | 44.2 | −0.7 |
| | Labour | Albert Bore | 20,721 | 39.3 | +4.9 |
| | Liberal | Charlotte Cane | 8,128 | 15.4 | −5.3 |
| | Green | Winifred Hackett | 611 | 1.1 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,584 | 4.9 | −5.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,765 | 73.1 | +1.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −2.8 | |
General election 1983: Birmingham Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Anthony Beaumont-Dark | 23,008 | 44.9 | −3.8 |
| | Labour | John Turner | 17,612 | 34.4 | −4.3 |
| | SDP | Kevin Wheldall | 10,613 | 20.7 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,396 | 10.5 | +0.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 51,233 | 71.5 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Birmingham Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Anthony Beaumont-Dark | 23,175 | 48.7 | +8.4 |
| | Labour | Tom Litterick | 18,400 | 38.6 | −2.5 |
| | Liberal | Paul Clifford | 5,452 | 11.4 | −7.2 |
| | National Front | George Bassett | 401 | 0.8 | New |
| | Child and Family Protection Group | Philip Crome | 190 | 0.4 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,775 | 10.1 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,618 | 73.7 | +3.5 |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | +4.3 | |
General election October 1974: Birmingham Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Tom Litterick | 17,320 | 41.1 | +4.7 |
| | Conservative | Harold Gurden | 16,994 | 40.3 | −2.3 |
| | Liberal | Roger Austin Grant | 7,850 | 18.6 | −2.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 326 | 0.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,164 | 67.2 | −7.0 |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +3.0 | |
General election February 1974: Birmingham Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Harold Gurden | 19,705 | 42.6 | −9.6 |
| | Labour | Tom Litterick | 16,823 | 36.4 | −11.4 |
| | Liberal | Roger Austin Grant | 9,718 | 21.0 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,882 | 6.2 | +1.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,246 | 74.2 | +10.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +1.0 | |
General election 1970: Birmingham Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Harold Gurden | 18,281 | 52.2 | +7.0 |
| | Labour | Michael John Hartley-Brewer | 16,758 | 47.8 | +4.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,523 | 4.4 | +2.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 35,039 | 64.0 | −2.4 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +1.1 | |

### Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Birmingham Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Harold Gurden | 16,533 | 45.1 | −11.8 |
| | Labour | John Garwell | 15,756 | 43.0 | −0.1 |
| | Liberal | Roy Lewthwaite | 4,333 | 11.8 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 777 | 2.1 | −11.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 36,622 | 66.4 | +0.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −6.0 | |
General election 1964: Birmingham Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Harold Gurden | 21,443 | 56.9 | −3.2 |
| | Labour | John Garwell | 16,232 | 43.1 | +3.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,211 | 13.8 | −6.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 37,675 | 66.3 | −5.3 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | − 3.1 | |

### Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Birmingham Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Harold Gurden | 24,950 | 60.1 | + 2.6 |
| | Labour | J Oliver Rhydderch | 16,594 | 39.9 | −2.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,356 | 20.2 | +5.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,544 | 71.6 | −2.7 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +2.6 | |
General election 1955: Birmingham Selly Oak :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Harold Gurden | 25,774 | 57.5 | |
| | Labour | Harry Watton | 19,054 | 42.5 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,720 | 15.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,828 | 74.3 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |