Words by Ed King / Group pic supplied by Birmingham Conservatives – other pics taken from Steve Knee’s YouTube content
Derbyshire businessman Steve Knee has been selected as the next Conservative parliamentary candidate for the Birmingham Erdington seat – as voted for by locally registered party members.
Following the announcement that longstanding Erdington Ward Councillor Robert Alden will not contest the seat in the upcoming General Election, as he has done over the last four, a selection meeting was organised for 13 March to choose the Conservative’s new Erdington MP hopeful.
On Thursday 14 March, the Birmingham Conservatives issued a statement confirming Mr Knee as their next parliamentary candidate for the Birmingham Erdington seat.
Steve Knee is an established businessman and entrepreneur, who set up Cloudbass Multimedia Limited in February 2009 – a television programme production company which broadcasts high profile events from the London Olympic Games opening ceremony to Glastonbury Festival.
According to documents on file at Companies House, Cloudbass Multimedia Limited is the “largest independently owned” outside broadcast facilities provider – operating from three sites across the UK.
Successfully navigating through the Covid pandemic and international lockdowns, which saw the ruin of many organisations that work with the entertainment sector, Cloudbass Multimedia retains its 40,000 sqft headquarters in Derbyshire – where Mr Knee also lives with his wife and three children.
Mr Knee has also previously stood for the Duffield and Quarndon Ward in the 2023 Amber Valley Borough Council elections, alongside running mate Martin Betteridge – coming in second with around 27% of the turnout, beating Labour but losing to the incumbent Green Party.
Following his selection as parliamentary candidate for the Birmingham Erdington seat, Mr Knee told: “I’m absolutely delighted… as a constituency with a rich heritage, I’m looking forward to representing the people and to help improve their real world outcomes, from the cost of living to dealing with the fallout from the City Council cuts.”
He added: “I’m a passionate advocate of renewable energy, not only for the environmental benefits but as the cheapest form of energy production it can make a real different to the cost of living.”
Following Mr Knee’s selection, Birmingham Conservatives Association Chairman and Erdington Ward Councillor Gareth Moore stated: “Steve (Knee) demonstrated that he is fully aware of the terrible impact Labour’s financial mismanagement will have on residents and how he wants to work with residents and local Conservative Councillors to fight for our area and to help protect vital services like our local libraries.”
The selection meeting on 13 March, held at the Erdington Conservative Club on Orchard Road, also saw local party members confirm to keep in place the following candidates for the 2026 Council elections: Cllr Robert Alden (Erdington Ward), Cllr Gareth Moore (Erdington Ward) and Cllr Rick Payne (Kingstanding Ward).
Steve Knee: Who am I? – taken from Mr Knee’s own YouTube channel
In your # above you call the company “cloudbase” , I believe its actually :”cloudbass”! Details matter.
Indeed they do Andy, and we very much appreciate the catch – amended. Sadly sometimes things fall through the proof reading net. We always welcome a good correction though and thanks for reading.
Hi Steve
Just seen your person history video.
However you have failed to mentioned anything to do about Standing for Erdington constituency.
Why should you receive my vote on the 4th?
Why haven’t you and your own cloudbase muitmeadia company, set out a video stating what you standing for, and the support you going to give the local community of Erdington.
I have always supported Cllr Alden and Cllr Moore. Who are both local people and are working hard to make Erdington as nice as it is Buxton.
Sorry Robert and Gareth I feel that I cannot vote for someone who has no connection with Erdington and unknown and unseen person, who spending all his time in Ripley.
I do feel that the Erdington Conservative selection committee has chosen the wrong person.
It’s a shame Cllr Alden isn’t standing again. He would represent the constituency really well. Both himself and Cllr Moore work really hard for the area which is much appreciated.
Silly Tory
Thank you Clr’s Alden & Moore you have worked really well together for Erdington and it seems that you may continue to support Steve Knee. Thanks Steve for your video profile. It shows how you worked hard to get where you are today. I hope you can give your full support to us in Erdington whilst you live in Derby. One point of note there is just 11days from now (23 June) till the election and I have not seen one conservative flyer promoting yourself as our proposed MP. We only found out you were standing through our postal vote papers, those without a postal vote will have no idea until the day. You have our vote.
Haha another delusional Tory who hasn’t been seen anywhere before the election.
Ah well, maybe third time’s the charm…