# 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.

## 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 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. 17 seats were contested in the election with candidates from the Conservative party, Liberal Democrats, Labour Party, Green Party and British National Party.
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. 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". 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.
The Solihull and Meriden Residents' Association wanted to have local referendums, reduce councillors pay and have local council officers deal with graffiti and flytipping. Other issues in the election included the removal of maternity services from Solihull, preserving green space and the future of Jaguar Land Rover.

## Election result

The results saw no party win a majority on the council after the Conservatives lost 2 seats to have 23 councillors. The Liberal Democrats had 19 seats after gaining Elmdon from the Conservatives defeating cabinet member Ken Hawkins by 128 votes. 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. Chelmsley Wood had been the British National Party's only seat, while the results meant Labour held 7 seats after the election. The Solihull and Meriden Residents' Association failed to win any seats, with their most high-profile candidate Trevor Eames coming third in Shirley South.
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.
Solihull Local Election Result 2010 :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| Conservative | 8 | | 2 | 2 | 47.1 | 41.6 | 44,409 | 6.1 |
| Liberal Democrats | 6 | 1 | | 1 | 35.3 | 30.9 | 32,997 | 3.5 |
| Labour | 3 | 2 | | 2 | 17.6 | 13.1 | 13,953 | 5.1 |
| BNP | 0 | | 1 | 1 | 0.0 | 6.2 | 6,618 | 2.7 |
| Green | 0 | | | | 0.0 | 4.2 | 4,444 | 0.5 |
| Residents Association | 0 | | | | 0.0 | 4.0 | 4,206 | 4.0 |
This result had the following consequences for the total number of seats on the council after the elections :
| Party | 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 | Total | 51 | 51 | 51 |
| Working majority | Working majority | 1 | 5 |

## Ward results

Bickenhill :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Alan Martin | 2,887 | 48.9 | 17.7 |
| | Labour | Florence Nash | 1,186 | 20.1 | 9.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Martin Smith | 983 | 16.6 | 10.7 |
| | BNP | Patricia Allington | 496 | 8.4 | 4.9 |
| | Residents Association | Michelle Wright | 189 | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| | Green | Alexander Hawkeswood | 164 | 2.8 | 1.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,701 | 28.8 | 24.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,925 | 62.5 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 13.8 | |
Blythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Brian Burgess | 3,312 | 46.4 | 1.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Charles Robinson | 2,322 | 32.5 | 13.9 |
| | Labour | Raj Singh | 682 | 9.6 | 6.4 |
| | Residents Association | Linda Brown | 426 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| | BNP | George Angus | 310 | 4.3 | 4.3 |
| | Green | Moustafa Osman | 89 | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 990 | 13.9 | 12.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,162 | 70.1 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 6.0 | |
Castle Bromwich :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Mike Robinson | 2,914 | 47.5 | 20.2 |
| | Labour | Irma Shaw | 1,304 | 21.3 | 12.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andrew Bull | 1,039 | 16.9 | 9.6 |
| | BNP | Eddie Stainfield | 668 | 10.9 | 2.2 |
| | Green | Scott Rhodes | 109 | 1.8 | 1.0 |
| | Residents Association | Joanna Hall | 102 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,610 | 26.2 | 28.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,154 | 66.8 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 16.2 | |
Chelmsley Wood :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Nick Stephens | 1,140 | 25.9 | 6.5 |
| | Green | Ronnie Cashmore | 1,118 | 25.4 | 19.9 |
| | Conservative | Gail Sleigh | 897 | 20.4 | 9.0 |
| | BNP | Andrew Terry | 650 | 14.8 | 11.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Liz Adams | 542 | 12.3 | 5.8 |
| | Residents Association | Dawn O'Nyons | 49 | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 22 | 0.5 | 2.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,415 | 48.4 | |
| | Labour gain from BNP | Labour gain from BNP | Swing | 13.2 | |
Dorridge and Hockley Heath :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Ian Courts | 3,891 | 58.6 | 7.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jo Hodgson | 1,430 | 21.5 | 4.3 |
| | Labour | Barry Beattie | 566 | 8.5 | 5.0 |
| | Residents Association | Andy Moore | 443 | 6.7 | 6.7 |
| | Green | Sara Stevens | 175 | 2.6 | 3.4 |
| | BNP | Andrew Taylor | 131 | 2.0 | 5.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,461 | 37.1 | 11.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,654 | 76.6 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 5.8 | |
Elmdon :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Martin Hewings | 2,721 | 41.3 | 0.9 |
| | Conservative | Ken Hawkins | 2,593 | 39.4 | 4.6 |
| | Labour | Hugh Hendry | 658 | 10.0 | 4.7 |
| | BNP | Tony Greenshields | 402 | 6.1 | 9.1 |
| | Residents Association | Kay Howles | 134 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| | Green | Elaine Williams | 79 | 1.2 | 0.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 128 | 1.9 | 3.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,614 | 70.8 | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | 1.8 | |
Kingshurst and Fordbridge :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | David Jamieson | 1,385 | 31.6 | 1.5 |
| | Conservative | Rob Hall | 1,275 | 29.1 | 8.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Angi Wright | 684 | 15.6 | 9.4 |
| | BNP | George Rouse | 667 | 15.2 | 7.9 |
| | Green | John Kimberley | 210 | 4.8 | 1.5 |
| | Residents Association | Margaret Inglis | 165 | 3.8 | 3.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 110 | 2.5 | 4.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,416 | 46.8 | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | 4.8 | |
Knowle :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Diana Holl-Allen | 3,660 | 58.2 | 5.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Tony Dupont | 1,351 | 21.5 | 5.7 |
| | Labour | Hayley Conboy | 450 | 7.2 | 3.5 |
| | Residents Association | Josephine Herbert | 326 | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| | Green | Jane Holt | 289 | 4.6 | 0.2 |
| | BNP | Robert Lassen | 217 | 3.4 | 6.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,309 | 36.7 | 10.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,311 | 76.0 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 5.4 | |
Lyndon :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Theresa Tedd | 3,552 | 51.7 | 2.9 |
| | Conservative | Greg Goldingay | 1,819 | 26.5 | 0.4 |
| | Labour | Margaret Brittin | 803 | 11.7 | 5.5 |
| | BNP | David Reynolds | 559 | 8.1 | 4.6 |
| | Green | Frances Grice | 137 | 2.0 | 0.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,733 | 25.2 | 2.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,854 | 68.3 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | 1.2 | |
Meriden :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Ken Allsopp | 3,845 | 55.9 | 16.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Hugh McCredie | 1,362 | 19.8 | 10.8 |
| | Labour | Cathy Connan | 928 | 13.5 | 6.1 |
| | Residents Association | Wayne Wright | 369 | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| | BNP | Russell Phillips | 228 | 3.3 | 3.4 |
| | Green | Roger King | 143 | 2.1 | 2.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,483 | 36.1 | 26.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,899 | 73.2 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 13.4 | |
Olton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Windmill | 3,513 | 50.7 | 3.1 |
| | Conservative | Robert Hulland | 2,336 | 33.7 | 0.4 |
| | Labour | Alan Jacques | 524 | 7.6 | 2.9 |
| | BNP | Stanley Williams | 297 | 4.3 | 4.3 |
| | Green | Joel Butler | 164 | 2.4 | 0.8 |
| | Residents Association | Peter Chan | 94 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,177 | 17.0 | 3.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,960 | 71.0 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | 1.7 | |
Shirley East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Ian Hedley | 2,439 | 38.8 | 5.5 |
| | Conservative | Mark Parker | 2,257 | 35.9 | 6.5 |
| | Residents Association (Independent) | Neill Watts | 605 | 9.6 | 9.6 |
| | Labour | Kevin Raven | 575 | 9.1 | 3.8 |
| | BNP | Raymond Bailey | 284 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| | Green | Joy Aldworth | 129 | 2.1 | 0.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 182 | 2.9 | 0.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,315 | 72.2 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | 0.5 | |
Shirley South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andy Hodgson | 2,989 | 42.9 | 5.9 |
| | Conservative | Phil Brandum | 2,299 | 33.0 | 5.5 |
| | Residents Association | Trevor Eames | 599 | 8.6 | 8.6 |
| | Labour | Shirley Young | 569 | 8.2 | 3.4 |
| | BNP | Christopher White | 398 | 5.7 | 8.1 |
| | Green | Adam Cooley | 121 | 1.7 | 0.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 690 | 9.9 | 8.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,987 | 70.3 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | 5.7 | |
Shirley West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Simon Slater | 2,855 | 44.1 | 0.2 |
| | Conservative | Hannah Tildesley | 1,988 | 30.7 | 3.8 |
| | Labour | Ian McDonald | 715 | 11.0 | 6.1 |
| | BNP | Douglas Maund | 432 | 6.7 | 5.4 |
| | Residents Association | John Rogers | 320 | 4.9 | 4.9 |
| | Green | Trevor Barker | 162 | 2.5 | 1.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 867 | 13.4 | 3.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,498 | 70.1 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | 1.8 | |
Silhill :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Shiela Pittaway | 3,090 | 46.3 | 3.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Steve Green | 2,447 | 36.7 | 2.5 |
| | Labour | Janet Marsh | 603 | 9.0 | 4.8 |
| | BNP | Alan Ashmore | 329 | 4.9 | 4.7 |
| | Green | Roderick Palmer | 116 | 1.7 | 0.1 |
| | Residents Association | Hilary Twinberrow | 87 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 643 | 9.6 | 5.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,702 | 71.4 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 2.9 | |
Smith's Wood :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Donald Cornock | 1,368 | 32.5 | 4.3 |
| | Green | Ken Meeson | 1,019 | 24.2 | 21.0 |
| | Conservative | Catherine Price | 821 | 19.5 | 2.0 |
| | BNP | Frank O'Brien | 550 | 13.1 | 13.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Tony Ludlow | 398 | 9.4 | 4.4 |
| | Residents Association | Rebecca Hammond | 57 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 349 | 8.3 | 8.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,222 | 48.0 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 12.6 | |
St. Alphege :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Stuart Davis | 4,525 | 57.6 | 5.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Eimear Fossey | 2,370 | 30.2 | 16.1 |
| | Labour | Paul Tuxworth | 497 | 6.3 | 3.1 |
| | Residents Association | Steven O'Nyons | 241 | 3.1 | 3.1 |
| | Green | Stephen Holt | 220 | 2.8 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,155 | 27.4 | 21.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,877 | 76.3 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 10.6 | |

## By-elections between 2010 and 2011

Olton by-election 20 January 2011 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Claire O'Kane | 1,188 | 39.7 | 11.0 |
| | Conservative | David Price | 1,179 | 39.4 | 5.7 |
| | Labour | Andrew Mullinex | 280 | 9.4 | 1.8 |
| | Residents Association | Hayley Watts | 228 | 7.6 | 6.3 |
| | Green | Ian Jamieson | 115 | 3.8 | 1.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9 | 0.3 | 16.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,990 | 30.6 | 40.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | 8.3 | |