Solihull's two Conservative Members of Parliament have written to the new Prime Minister to press for what they describe as a change of direction for the borough. In a letter dispatched after Andy Burnham took office, Neil Shastri-Hurst (Solihull West and Shirley) and Saqib Bhatti (Meriden and Solihull East) set out five issues they say are repeatedly raised by local residents.
Priorities set out directly to Downing Street
The MPs told the Prime Minister their constituents feel let down by decisions taken under the previous Government and want practical action across a range of local services and planning matters. The five priorities included in the letter are as follows:
- Protecting the Green Belt from what they describe as excessive housing targets;
- Increasing neighbourhood policing to improve visible patrols and public safety;
- Restoring a full Emergency Department at Solihull Hospital to meet local healthcare needs;
- Backing high streets to support local businesses and town centres;
- Helping young people into work and making home ownership more affordable.
“A change of Prime Minister must mean more than a change of face. Our constituents want to see a change of direction,” the letter states.
Dr Shastri-Hurst argued the past Government left Solihull facing "excessive housing targets, rising pressure on our public services, and fewer opportunities for young people" — framing the letter as a request for a substantive policy shift. Mr Bhatti said he had written to seek assurances that the new Prime Minister "agrees with the campaigns that my constituents in Meriden and Solihull East and I are prioritising."
Local consequences and accountability
The demands encapsulate several contested and high-profile local matters. Protection of the Green Belt is a recurring theme in Solihull's planning debates, affecting how the borough meets housing need while preserving open spaces. The call for a full Emergency Department at Solihull Hospital highlights ongoing pressures on regional NHS services and the differing expectations residents have of local acute care provision.
Neighbourhood policing and support for the high street are immediate quality-of-life issues that intersect with council priorities and regional policing plans. Likewise, measures to help young people into work and to improve affordability of home ownership would require co-ordinated action across Whitehall, the West Midlands region and local partners.
| Priority | Issue highlighted |
|---|---|
| Green Belt | Protect from excessive housing targets |
| Policing | Increase neighbourhood police presence |
| Health | Restore full Emergency Department at Solihull Hospital |
| High streets | Support local town centres |
| Youth employment & housing | Jobs for young people; more affordable home ownership |
The MPs say they will watch the new Government's progress closely and scrutinise policies in Parliament where necessary. Mr Bhatti added he hopes the Prime Minister will "deliver on issues that my constituents in Meriden and Solihull East need to see" and urged recognition that the West Midlands and the Borough of Solihull both matter to the new administration.
For residents and local officials, the letter signals a formal request for national intervention on matters that are often negotiated between central government, the West Midlands Combined Authority, NHS trusts and the council. How the new Prime Minister responds — and whether ministers or regional leaders are asked to act — will determine whether these priorities translate into policy changes or remain campaign appeals.
