Local Elections: Candidates confirmed for North Solihull

COUNTDOWN: There will be some closely-fought battles for council seats
in North Solihull

AN ATTEMPT by the Tories and Labour to stop the march of the "smaller" parties in North Solihull will be at the centre of next month's local election campaign.

With the Greens and UKIP holding seven out of nine seats between them in the three regeneration wards and the Conservative vote being squeezed in the previous stronghold of Castle Bromwich, the traditional parties of government have had a dismal time at the ballot box in recent years.

With less than a month to go before Solihull goes to the polls, candidates have now been confirmed for the council election, providing further detail about the closely-fought local battles that residents can expect.

In contrast to 12 months ago, the Greens will this year have to defend seats in wards where they now hold a monopoly.

In Chelmsley Wood, the group's leader Karl Macnaughton will be standing for re-election, while Mark Wilson has been selected by the party in Smith's Wood (Alison Walters, who swept to victory in 2011, will not seek a second term.)

For Labour, snatching back either seat would be sweet revenge for a number of humiliating defeats.

In Smith's Wood, the party has pinned its hopes on David Cole, chairman of Kingshurst Parish Council, while in Chelmsley they have selected local mum Emma Chidler as their candidate.

It will not be an all out offensive for the party however, with work to be done to defend long-standing councillor Alan Nash.

AS IT STANDS: The current make-up of Solihull Council

If he is defeated in Kingshurst & Fordbridge, his wife Flo will be left as the solitary Labour member on Solihull Council.

In this ward, the keenest challenge is likely to come not from the Greens, but UKIP - who caused a major upset 12 months ago. Debbie Evans' success over Labour's then leader David Jamieson handed the eurosceptic party their first seat in Solihull. They will hope that candidate Rob Hall will be able to score a similar victory.

The Conservatives are also under pressure from UKIP in a number of wards. While Marston Green man Bob Sleigh looks unlikely to face a serious challenge in Bickenhill, his wife Gail may face a tougher fight in Castle Brom. Last year the Tories held on, but their comfortable majority was dramatically reduced by the UKIP challenger.

The Liberal Democrats this year contest just nine of Solihull's 17 wards and are not fielding any candidates in the north of the borough.

The BNP, who once had a councillor in Chelmsley Wood, will not contest a single seat.

• This year's election takes place on Thursday, May 7. Residents have until April 20 to register to vote.

Candidates:

Bickenhill:  Gerry Blake (UKIP), Michael Longfield (Lab), Gary Macnaughton (Green), Bob Sleigh (Con).

Castle Bromwich: Alan Jacques (Lab), Glen Lawrence (UKIP), Eleanor Perfect (Green), Gail Sleigh (Con).

Chelmsley Wood: Sally Bell (Con), Emma Chidler (Lab), Karl Macnaughton (Green).

Kingshurst & Fordbridge: David Davies (Green), Rob Hall (UKIP), Alan Nash (Lab), Paul Thomas (Con)

Smith's Wood: David Cole (Lab), Graham Juniper (Con), Mark Wilson (Green)