FORMER Halesowen MP James Morris has lost his seat - which he had held for 14 years since 2010.

The former Conservative MP lost to Labour's Alex Ballinger and said serving Halesowen had been "the privilege of my life."

He was Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP from 2010 to 2024 having been re-elected four times. 

James took to social media and thanked everyone whether they supported him or not.

He said: "It has been the privilege of my life to have been the MP for Halesowen & Rowley Regis these past 14 years.

"It has been a real pleasure to work with so many across the community.

"We have achieved some great things together.

"I am sorry that I won’t be continuing with that work in the new constituency of Halesowen.

"It wasn’t to be in my fifth election but thank you all whether you supported me in the election or not.

"Congratulations to Alex Ballinger on his success. Now I am going to get some rest."

The constituency has now changed and has become Halesowen. 

James said before the count: "I've had a good campaign. I enjoyed it.

"The national picture is looking grim, but I felt like I had a good campaign and have given it everything.

"I ran a campaign that I can be proud of."

Alex Ballinger won the seat for Labour and pledged to work to improve public services. 

The former Royal Marine and Afghanistan veteran, who runs a mental health charity helping people across Birmingham and the Black Country, said together with his team he had worked hard on the campaign.

Halesowen's new MP Alex Ballinger Halesowen's new MP Alex Ballinger (Image: Handout)

He said: "Nationally and locally I aim to make targeting improving the NHS a priority - and by that I mean improving access to GP surgeries so they can see one within a reasonable time and to bring down hospital waiting lists and improve times in which people are seen, as that has been a recurring theme on the doorstep."