LABOUR currently has just seven of the 51 seats on Solihull Council but the councillors and their supporters will tell you the group "punches above its weight". All its council members represent wards in north Solihull, where they have been closely involved in the launch of the massive £1.8 billion regeneration project there. It promises to dramatically change the fortunes of the 40,000 people who live in one of the most socially and economically deprived areas of Britain. So, it is no surprise that Councillor Hugh Hendry, who is seeking re-election in Smith's Wood, is keen to talk about the part he and his councillors have played in promoting the project and selling it to the residents. That has taken some doing. "People are bound to feel apprehensive when they see their neighbourhoods - the places some have known all their lives - being torn apart for redevelopment," he explained. "It's our job to persuade them how worthwhile it will all be, the new homes, schools and village centres. There will be a much wider choice of homes; up to now it has been mainly flats in multi-storey blocks and terraced houses that have been available. "Apart from homes to buy we must ensure there is sufficient affordable rented accommodation in the mix of housing. My party is pushing to make this a priority." Labour wants to maximise its vote in north Solihull and stop any possibility of the British National Party making further gains. The pain of losing a seat to the far right group in Chelmsley Wood two years ago is still felt keenly. The BNP has candidates in two of the three northern wards this year, Chelmsley and Kingshurst and Fordbridge. "The BNP are poisonous and they must be kept out," declared Cllr Hendry. Although Labour is likely to again do well in the north, it hopes for a good showing in some wards in the more affluent south of the borough, taking advantage, perhaps, of voters' disenchantment with the two main council parties, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Cllr Hendry was anxious to hit back at accusations that Labour is too closely aligned with the ruling Tories and sides with them on all major issues. "It's simply not true we cosy up to the Conservatives," he said. "We have opposed them on the issue of a sixth form at Arden School and on other matters. The Labour group only supports policies it thinks are right." Aged 59, Cllr Hendry works in the dialysis unit at Solihull Hospital. A father of three, he lives in Smith's Wood. | 
