Before the election there were 25 Conservative, 15 Liberal Democrat, 7 Labour, 1 British National Party and 2 independentcouncillors.[2] 1 seat was vacant after Conservative councillor of Knowleward, Les Kyles, died in January 2007.[2] Five councillors stood down at the election, Liberal Democrats Olive Hogg, Barbara Harber and Susan Reeve and Conservatives Theresa Tedd and David Elsmore.[2][3] In total 72 candidates stood in the election for 17 seats, including candidates from the 3 leading parties and 5 candidates from the British National Party, after the British National Party won a seat at the 2006 election for the first time.[4][5] The Green Party stood in all 17 wards and there were 3 candidates from the United Kingdom Independence Party and 2 independents.[2]
The Conservatives pledged to build on their record on recycling which had gone up 26% from 7% over 3 years.[6] They also were confident of their record on education and wanted to get a fairer financial settlement from the national government.[6] The Liberal Democrats said improving transport links in Solihull was a priority, along with better services for the elderly and improving recycling.[7] Meanwhile, Labour wanted to ensure the regeneration programme for the north of Solihull worked and to deliver cost effective services.[8] All 3 parties pledged to address anti-social behaviour as a priority.[6][7][8]
Before the campaign began, as in 2006, the leaders of the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour parties on the council signed a charter to promote good race relations.[9]
Election result
The results saw the Conservative party lose 2 seats to the Liberal Democrats, meaning that no party had a majority on the council, but the Conservatives remained the largest party with 24 seats.[10] The Liberal Democrats gained Shirley South and Silhill wards from the Conservatives to hold 17 seats, with the winner in Silhill, Tim Hodgson, becoming the youngest councillor in Solihull at the age of 21.[10] Labour held onto the seats they were defending, including Chelmsley Wood where they defeated the British National Party by 192 votes in a ward the British National Party had won in 2006.[11] This meant Labour remained on 7 seats, compared to 1 for the British National Party and 2 independents.[11] Overall turnout was 36.5%, down from 38.4% in 2006.[11]
Following the election the leader of the council for the past 8 years, Ted Richards, resigned as leader of the council and Conservative group, after what he described as "disappointing" election results.[12] However the Conservatives continued to run the council as a minority administration.[13]
^ abcdJeys, Anna (13 April 2007). "No majority as the polls open; May 3 elections: Veteran's death leaves hung council up for grabs". Birmingham Mail. p. 6.
^"Women vote to step down; Council". Birmingham Mail. 2 April 2007. p. 17.
^Morris, Nigel (13 April 2007). "BNP goes bourgeois as party aims to take its message to rural seats". The Independent. p. 1.
^Jeys, Anna (16 April 2007). "Solihull News: BNP stepping up votes campaign; Solihull: Increase in Far Right candidates standing at elections". Birmingham Mail. p. 17.
^ abc"Recycling is top of the Tory agenda". Birmingham Mail. 2 May 2007. p. 24.
^ ab"Transport a Lib Dem priority". Birmingham Mail. 2 May 2007. p. 24.
^ ab"Yobs are one target for Labour". Birmingham Mail. 2 May 2007. p. 24.
^"United front on race relations". Birmingham Mail. 11 April 2007. p. 19.
^ abConnor, Neil (5 May 2007). "Lib Dems waiting in the wings; Solihull local elections". Birmingham Post. p. 2.
^ abcReynolds, Leda (5 May 2007). "Tory misery as Lib Dems gain; Election results round-up Solihull: Loss of two seats results in hung council". Birmingham Mail. p. 16.
^Reynolds, Leda (9 May 2007). "Veteran leader: I'm quitting job; Local politics: Group chief steps down after 'disappointing' results". Birmingham Mail. p. 7.
^"Solihull has us to thank for its quality of life, says Tory leader". Birmingham Post. 19 April 2008. p. 4.
