Solihull election: Could former West Midlands mayor make move to become Solihull West MP?

Could a surprise candidate be about to throw his hat in the ring for a parliamentary seat?

Andy Street, who was West Midlands mayor until a narrow defeat in May, is strongly rumoured to be considering standing as Conservative candidate for Solihull West and Shirley. 

From the moment he departed the mayoral role after defeat earlier this month there has been growing speculation about his next move.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) put the rumours to Mr Street’s team, who did not rule it out.

His team said: “He is taking time out to consider and assess his options and that hasn’t changed. 

“He is taking some time out to think about what he wants to do next.”

Mr Street’s loss in the mayoral election brought to an end seven years in the hotseat. Labour’s Richard Parker beat Mr Street by just 1,508 votes – the equivalent of 0.25 per cent of the vote.

But in the Solihull council district of the mayoral election Mr Street won by a large margin.

Mr Street – who grew up in Solihull – is also thought of highly by Solihull Council leader Ian Courts.  During a recent full council meeting the leader said: “As is well-known I campaigned robustly for former colleague Andy Street. 

“I was devastated (about the defeat). 

“I thank him for his leadership in the region, his attention to the issues that matter and the way he fulfilled his office over the years – attempting to bring all sides politically together.”

Coun Courts told the LDRS this week he wasn’t able to comment on speculation but did add: “I’m confident Solihull will have a very strong candidate.”

Solihull Borough Conservative Association was asked about the rumour, and when their candidate would be announced, but the LDRS had no response.

If he stands Mr Street will contest the seat being vacated by Julian Knight. Mr Knight was elected as a Conservative at the 2019 general election but has sat in the House of Commons as an independent since 2022 after having the whip removed.

That followed allegations made against Mr Knight about his behaviour – but he always maintained his innocence. The whip was never restored by the party despite police clearing him.

Mr Knight – who previously said he would not fight this election – won the 2019 ballot with a 21,273 majority.

Under boundary changes the Solihull seat will be contested as Solihull West and Shirley at the election on July 4. 

Labour and the Green Party are yet to name their candidates but the Liberal Democrats have named Ade Adeyemo as their candidate.