Before the election theConservative party held 17 seats, compared to 16 forLabour and 12Liberal Democrats.[4] However the council was run by the Labour party who governed with an agreement with the Liberal Democrats.[4] With the split in seats between the parties the council was expected to remain without any party having a majority with Labour defending 6 seats, compared to 5 for the Conservatives and 4 for the Liberal Democrats.[5] Meanwhile, theindependent candidates who were defending a seat inShirley South and 2 seats in Shirley Westward were expected to come under pressure.[4] During the campaign another independentcouncillor Trevor Eames, who was not defending a seat in the election, resigned from the council after being jailed for 7 years causing aby-election to be held later in the summer.[6]
The results saw all 3 independents who were defending seats defeated, reducing the number of Independent Ratepayers on the council to 2.[7] Labour gained 1 seat from the independents in Shirley West, while the Conservative took the other 2 in Shirley South and Shirley West.[7][8] The Conservatives also won a seat from the Liberal Democrats in Packwood ward, with the former leader of the council Ken Meeson being returned to the council.[7] Overallturnout in the election was 29%, varying between a high of 40% and a low of 15% inSmithswood ward.[9]
Following the election the Conservatives elected a new group leader, Ted Richards, after the previous leader Ron Herd stepped down.[10] However, despite holding 20 seats, compared to 17 for Labour and 11 for the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives remained in opposition, with Labour running the council with support from the Liberal Democrats.[11]
^Harrison, Stephen (1 May 1998). "Tories could unseat Labour at Solihull Voters across the West Midlands go to the polls in local elections next Thursday. Today, Local Government Correspondent Stephen Harrison looks at the fight for votes in Solihull and Coventry".Birmingham Post. p. 4.
^Swingler, Steve (21 April 1998). "Eames: No appeal over verdict".Birmingham Mail. p. 13.
^abcSwingler, Steve (8 May 1998). "Backlash hits independents".Birmingham Mail. p. 7.
^abSwingler, Steve (8 May 1998). "Damning verdict for Independents after Eames scandal".Birmingham Mail. p. 3.
^Gray, Chris (9 May 1998). "Voters and politicians are polls apart People once died to be able to vote. Chris Gray wonders why now they cannot even be bothered to walk to a polling booth".Birmingham Post. p. 61.
^Ilyas, Mohammed (9 May 1998). "New leader to help Tories reclaim borough".Birmingham Post. p. 4.
^"Tories look on bright side".Birmingham Mail. 11 May 1998. p. 14.
^"Local Elections results".The Times. 9 May 1998. p. 46.
^Swingler, Steve (17 July 1998). "Comeback for Otton ends in failure".Birmingham Post. p. 3.
Council elections in theWest Midlands