Solihull (UK Parliament constituency)

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Solihull was a UK Parliament constituency in the West Midlands. It existed from 1945 until 2024 and elected one Member of Parliament (MP). The seat covered Solihull town, Shirley and Olton and was a largely suburban, middle‑class area with low deprivation.

Demographics and character: The area is relatively affluent, with many residents who work in Birmingham and in manufacturing, retail, industry, and the public sector. In November 2012 unemployment was about 2% of the population, well below the UK regional average.

Boundaries: The seat was in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull. It included Solihull, Shirley, and Olton, and its exact boundaries changed a few times over the years.

Political history: From 1945 to 2005, Conservative MPs held the seat. In 2005 Liberal Democrat Lorely Burt won, and she held it again in 2010 by a very small margin. Julian Knight, a Conservative, won the seat in 2015 and increased his lead in 2017 and 2019, making Solihull a Conservative stronghold. In December 2022, Knight faced serious allegations and sat as an independent after the Conservative whip was suspended.

Abolition and successor seats: Following the 2023 boundary changes, the Solihull seat was abolished in 2024. Most of its area became Solihull West and Shirley, first contested at the 2024 general election. Other parts joined the new Meriden and Solihull East seats.