Who North Solihull residents can vote for tomorrow...

WITH less than 12 hours until the polls open, here is a reminder of the candidates standing in North Solihull at this week's General Election.
All four parties with a presence on the local council - the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Greens - are battling for the seat.
Here is a brief summary of those hoping to get your vote in the Meriden constituency:

Teresa Beddis (Labour): Labour has selected former teacher Teresa Beddis to stand, with her nomination agreed shortly before the deadline last month.
She has spoken about the immense pressure on public services - particularly the NHS - and has slated the Conservatives for pursuing austerity policies.
Defending the cost of her own party's radical programme, she has said Labour has the chance to roll out radical changes - similar to those introduced by the party's government after the Second World War.
On Brexit she has said she supports a second referendum and would campaign to Remain.
A final fact: Is confident that her party's message will appeal to many people and has in fact placed a bet on a successful night for Labour.

Saqib Bhatti (Conservative): After Meriden's longest-serving MP, Dame Caroline Spelman, announced she was standing down, the Tories were in need of a new candidate.
Businessman Saqib Bhatti was selected, having seen off a challenge from Theresa May's former advisor Nick Timothy.
Mr Bhatti, a president of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, has said many voters are very angry that the result of the 2016 referendum has not been honoured. He said a Tory majority would allow the EU withdrawal agreement to pass.
Acknowledging that public finances have been under strain, he has said the Conservatives will now "invest in the future" and that their economic plan is credible.
A final fact: If successful, Mr Bhatti would be Meriden's first MP from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background.

Steve Caudwell (Green): The Castle Bromwich councillor has urged people to send a strong message in what his party has dubbed "the climate change election".
The businessman has been pleased to see the environment shoot up the political agenda, arguing that there is no Planet B.
During this campaign, the Greens locally have also advocated sweeping changes to the electoral system, which they argue often leavers voters having no choice but to back "the least worst option".
Coun Caudwell has also spoken about the need to build more homes and provide extra funding for services - citing the impact that years of cuts have had on council services.
As the candidate for a smaller party, he has done much of the leg-work himself and had previously asked for online donations to his fighting fund.
A final fact: Coun Caudwell was elected to the council in May and so is in fact fighting his second election campaign of 2019.

Laura McCarthy (Liberal Democrat): A community campaigner who got involved in local politics a few years ago, she has used the campaign to highlight cuts in school funding and fears over Brexit.
Coun McCarthy has described her party as "passionately pro-European" and spoken about the concerns over what the EU could mean for constituencies like Meriden.
She has said that following the campaign trail around the wildly contrasting wards that make up the seat, the largest in the West Midlands, has often highlighted sharp divides in views and predicts some surprises when results are declared.
Has said that her experience as a ward councillor, representing Elmdon, makes her well placed to stand up for residents.
A final fact: At 32 she is the youngest candidate standing in either Meriden or neighbouring Solihull.

Polling stations are open tomorrow (Thursday) from 7am-10pm.