Birmingham Selly Oak

Constituency profile

The constituency is located within Birmingham to the south of the city centre. It contains the more urban, industrial areas of Selly Oak and Stirchley and the more suburban areas of Warstock and Billesley.

The area has a history of chocolate production; the visitor attraction of Cadbury World is located in the constituency at the site of the former Cadbury factory, and the model village of Bournville next to the site was built to accommodate the factory's workers. Compared to national averages, residents of the constituency are younger, better-educated and have similar levels of wealth. The constituency is less ethnically diverse than the rest of Birmingham but more so than the country as a whole; 69% of residents are White, 16% are Asian and 6% are Black.

At most recent city council election in 2022, most seats in the constituency were won by Labour Party candidates, whilst Conservative and Green Party councillors were elected in the south of the constituency in the Highter's Heath area. A majority of voters in the constituency, an estimated 53%, supported remaining in the European Union in the 2016 referendum, higher than the national percentage of 48%.

Boundaries

The seat includes many students and staff from the nearby University of Birmingham. Half of the university's Selly Oak campus is located within the constituency. The Cadbury factory and Cadbury World are also within its boundaries.

1955–1974: The County Borough of Birmingham wards of Balsall Heath, Moseley and King's Heath, and Selly Oak.

1974–1983: The County Borough of Birmingham wards of King's Norton, Moseley, and Selly Oak.

1983–1997: The City of Birmingham wards of Bournville, King's Norton, Moseley, and Selly Oak (as they existed on 1 February 1983).

1997–2010: The City of Birmingham wards of Bournville, King's Norton, Moseley, and Selly Oak (as they existed on 1 June 1994).

2010–2018: The City of Birmingham wards of Billesley, Bournville, Brandwood, and Selly Oak.

Major changes, with King's Norton transferred to Birmingham Northfield and Moseley to Birmingham Hall Green. Billesley and Brandwood were transferred from Birmingham Hall Green.

2018–2024: Following a local government boundary review, which did not effect the parliamentary boundaries, the contents of the constituency were as follows with effect from May 2018:

• The City of Birmingham wards of Bournbrook & Selly Park, Druids Heath & Monyhull, Highter's Heath, and Stirchley, most of Billesley and Bournville & Cotteridge, the majority of Brandwood & King's Heath, and a small part of Weoley & Selly Oak.

2024–present: Further to the 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the constituency comprises:

• The City of Birmingham wards of Billesley; Bournbrook & Selly Park; Bournville & Cotteridge; Druids Heath & Monyhull; Highter's Heath; Stirchley; part of Brandwood & King's Heath; and a small area of Weoley & Selly Oak.

Minor differences reflecting the revised ward structure.

History

Since its creation in 1955 the constituency has switched hands three times between Labour and the Conservatives. The seat has progressively swung towards Labour from being a safe Conservative seat; this has been attributed to housing redevelopments that took place in the 1960s and 1970s. More recently, it has acquired a reputation for electing outspoken MPs, first with the victory of Anthony Beaumont-Dark of the Conservatives in 1979, and then with his defeat by Lynne Jones of the Labour Party in 1992.

Members of Parliament

Elections

Elections in the 2020s

|reg. electors = 75,678

Elections in the 2010s

|reg. electors = 82,665

Elections in the 2000s

Elections in the 1990s

Elections in the 1980s

Elections in the 1970s

Elections in the 1960s

Elections in the 1950s

Notes

References

References

1. "Birmingham, Selly Oak: Usual Resident Population, 2011". Office for National Statistics.
2. "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – West Midlands". Boundary Commission for England.
3. "Seat Details - Birmingham Selly Oak".
4. (4 July 2024). "2021 census results: Ethnic groups in your constituency".
5. . (1956). ["Statutory Instruments 1955"](https://books.google.com/books?id=8TDyAAAAMAAJ). *[[Her Majesty's Stationery Office]]*.
6. LGBCE. "Birmingham {{!}} LGBCE".
7. "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023".
8. {{Rayment-hc. s. 2. (March 2012)
9. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001099 Birmingham Selly Oak]
10. "Birmingham Selly Oak Parliamentary constituency". BBC.
11. "Statement of Persons Nominated and notice of poll".
12. "Birmingham Selly Oak".
13. "Election Data 2015". [[Electoral Calculus]].
14. "Alex Boulter". Conservatives.
15. "Election Data 2010". [[Electoral Calculus]].
16. "Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll 2010".
17. "Birmingham City Council: General Election 2010".
18. "Election Data 2005". [[Electoral Calculus]].
19. "Election Data 2001". [[Electoral Calculus]].
20. "Election Data 1997". [[Electoral Calculus]].
21. "Election Data 1992". [[Electoral Calculus]].
22. (9 April 1992). "UK General Election results April 1992". Politics Resources.
23. "Election Data 1987". [[Electoral Calculus]].
24. "Election Data 1983". [[Electoral Calculus]].