UPDATE: Lib Dems win one-seat majority, with Conservatives losing 13 councillors

THE Liberal Democrats have won a majority on Dorset Council.

Before the county took to the polls on Thursday (May 2), the Conservatives had 43 seats; a majority of two.

But in a dreadful night, the party now sits with just 30, losing control of Dorset for the first time in 25 years.

The Lib Dems gained 13 councillors, giving the party an overall majority of one seat on the unitary authority.

The Green Party lost a seat in Bridport to the Lib Dems, but pulled one back from the Tories in Lyme and Charmouth.

Here, Belinda Bawden won a thumping majority of 504, that’s 35%.

Labour retained its two seats in Portland, and Rodwell and Wyke.

Polling website Electoral Calculus predicts MPs, Richard Drax (Con, South Dorset), Chris Loder (Con, West Dorset) and Michael Tomlinson (Con, Mid Dorset and North Poole) will all lose their seats at the next general election.

Yesterday’s vote could serve as an important indicator of what’s to come in Dorset and around the country…

Total seats by party

There were 82 seats available across 52 wards.

Liberal Democrat: 42 (+13)

Conservative: 30 (-13)

Green: 4

Independent: 4

Labour: 2

Other: 0

 

Beacon

2019 Winner: Conservative

Jane Somper (Conservative): 898

Claire Elizabeth Reed (Liberal Democrat): 307

Gillian Clare Cross (Labour): 133

Sheila Elizabeth Healy (Green): 125

Spoilt: 5

Turnout: 38.32%

 

Beaminster

2019 Winner: Conservative

Craig John Monks (Conservative): 601

Paul David Fitzpatrick (Liberal Democrat): 579

Julie Margaret Cookie (Labour): 70

Yvonne Harris (Reform UK): 69

Andrew James McEwen (Green): 65

Richard Thomas Gunning (Independent): 17

Spoil

Turnout: 40.33%

 

Blackmore Vale

2019 Winner: Conservative

Stephen Murcer (Conservative): 637

Ian Philip Suter (Liberal Democrat): 468

Victoria Elcoate (Green): 161

Spoilt: 13

Turnout: 35.09%

 

Blandford (2 seats)

2019 Winners: Conservative and Conservative

Byron Robert Quayle (Conservative): 1,334

Nocturin Bilbo Laffayette Lacey-Clarke (Conservative): 1,307

Hugo Anthony Mieville (Liberal Democrat): 756

David Edwin Orton (Liberal Democrat): 556

Gerald Livsey Davies (Labour): 279

Dennis Wardleworth (Labour): 259

Lisa Grace Willis (Green): 123

Peter West (Green): 113

Daniel Paul Avery (Social Democratic): 50

Linda Isobel Stenner (Social Democratic): 31

Spoilt: 10

Turnout: 31.29%

 

Bridport (3 seats)

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat, Green and Liberal Democrat

Sarah Jane Williams (Liberal Democrat): 1,726

David John Bolwell (Liberal Democrat): 1,646

Bridget Catherine Bolwell (Liberal Democrat): 1,587

Kelvin Charles Clayton (Green): 1,562

Julian Stephen Langton Jones (Green): 1,166

Robert Hamblett (Green): 880

Una Mary Christopher (Conservative): 832

Steven Rose (Labour): 760

Anna Louise Cox (Conservative): 754

Frances Kathleen McKenzie (Conservative): 747

Spoilt: 46

Turnout: 35.07%

 

Chalk Valleys

2019 Winner: Conservative

Gillian Mary Haynes (Conservative): 683 

Iain Douglas Young (Liberal Democrat): 554

John Martin Stephen Bennett (Labour): 186

Spoilt: 19

Turnout: 36.99%

 

Charminster St Mary’s

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat

David Taylor (Liberal Democrat): 892

Nigel Grant McCrea (Conservative): 483

Spoilt: 7

Turnout: 34.57%

 

Chesil Bank

2019 Winner: Conservative

Sally Anne Holland (Liberal Democrat): 704

Mark Brandon Roberts (Conservative): 482

Peter Reid (Green): 373

Richard Howard (Labour): 61

Spoilt: 16

Turnout: 49.34%

 

Chickerell (2 seats)

2019 Winner: Conservative and Independent

Gillian Taylor (Liberal Democrat): 891

Simon Arthur Dewi Clifford (Liberal Democrat): 729

Margaret Jean Dunseith (Conservative): 690

Andrew William MacLeod Reid (Conservative): 570

Grafton Alphonso Straker (Labour): 329

Spoilt: 23

Turnout: 28.58%

 

Colehill and Wimborne Minster East (2 seats)

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat and Liberal Democrat

Andrew Thomas Todd (Liberal Democrat): 1,275

Rajinder Kaur Atwal (Liberal Democrat): 1,168

Kevin David Johnson (Conservative): 940

Carol Lynda Butter (Conservative): 764

Pauline Emma Urquhart (Independent): 578

David Francis Moore (Labour): 215

Spoilt: 5

Turnout: 36.72%

 

Corfe Mullen

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat and Conservative

Duncan Anthony Sowry-House (Liberal Democrat): 1,249

Scott Francis Florek (Liberal Democrat): 1,145

Michael Barron (Conservative): 641

Penelope Ruth Stewart (Conservative): 597

Lee Charles Hardy (Independent): 457

Graham Paul Hillman (Labour): 197

Spoilt: 4

Turnout: 29.03%

 

Cranborne and Alderholt

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat

David Lawrence Tooke (Liberal Democrat): 678

Adrian Stuart Hibberd (Conservative): 508

Peter Thomas Parsons (Labour): 77

Spoilt: 10

Turnout: 32.33%

 

Cranborne Chase

2019 Winner: Conservative

Piers Alexander David Brown (Conservative): 634

Louise Claire Cooper (Labour): 142

Tomos William Harding (Liberal Democrat): 194

Spoilt: 18

Turnout: 30.24%

 

Crossways

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat

Nicolas Jon Ireland (Liberal Democrat): 636

Andrew Harry Crawley Ross-Skinner (Conservative): 361

James George Draper (Labour): 113

Spoilt: 16

Turnout: 37.41%

 

Dorchester East (2 seats)

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat and Liberal Democrat

Enid Stella Jones (Liberal Democrat): 1,337

Rory Major (Liberal Democrat): 979

Catherine Margaret Hebditch (Green): 825

Katharine Alexandra Jones (Independent): 571

Angus Henry Charles Christopher (Conservative): 329

Jacqueline Mina Hartley Bowater (Conservative): 322

Barry Thompson (Labour): 304

Arash Mottaghi (Labour): 208

Spoilt: 13

Turnout: 38.54%

 

Dorchester Poundbury

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat

Richard Martin Biggs (Liberal Democrat): 780

Peter Jonathon Stein (Conservative): 449

Nicholas Boothroyd (Labour): 122

Edward Leonard Herbert (Green): 93

Spoilt: 16

Turnout: 41.38%

 

Dorchester West (2 seats)

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat and Independent

Leslie David Fry (Independent): 1,335

Andrew James Canning (Liberal Democrat): 1,322

Claudia Sorin (Labour): 580

Jeremy Peel-Yates (Conservative): 261

Andrew Charles Wyatt (Labour): 259

Kevin Stuart Selby (Conservative): 254

Spoilt: 8

Turnout: 34.06%

 

Eggardon

2019 Winner: Conservative

Neil Jeffrey Eysenck (Liberal Democrat): 724

Harry James Coutts (Conservative): 637

Richard John Edwards (Green): 238

David Machin (Labour): 57

Spoilt: 14

Turnout: 41.08%

 

Ferndown North (2 seats)

2019 Winner: Conservative and Conservative

Catherine Anne Lugg (Conservative): 955

Michael Richard Parkes (Conservative): 794

Simon Lee Cable (Independent): 781

Philip Leach (Independent): 753

Michael Adrian Clements (Liberal Democrat): 304

Andrei Silviu Dragotoniu (Reform UK): 232

Esbjörn Roderick Wilmar (Liberal Democrat): 228

Spoilt: 15

Turnout: 29.62%

 

Ferndown South (2 seats)

2019 Winner: Conservative and Conservative

Julie Lorraine Robinson (Conservative): 684

Hannah Hobbs-Chell (Independent): 621

George Phillips (Conservative): 602

Lawrence Leslie Ralph Wilson (Conservative): 556

Paul Hanson Graham (Independent): 367

Jennifer Susan Jean Jefferies (Liberal Democrat): 276

Ross Alexander Bowell (Liberal Democrat): 270

Spoilt: 26

Turnout: 26.45%

 

Gillingham (3 seats)

2019 Winner: Conservative, Conservative and Conservative

Valerie Rose Pothecary (Conservative): 1,549

Belinda Brenda Louise Ridout (Conservative): 1,528

Carl Anthony Woode (Liberal Democrat): 1,490

David Charles Thomas Fox (Liberal Democrat): 1,444

David Philip Louis Walsh (Conservative): 1,408

Alexander Richard Percy (Liberal Democrat): 1,402

Angela Carol Henshall (Green): 554

Anna Marie Marsh (Labour): 532

Spoilt: 35

Turnout: 30.19%

 

Hill Forts and Upper Tarrants

2019 Winner: Conservative

Sherry Kay Jespersen (Conservative): 709

Joseph Roger Hickish (Liberal Democrat): 251

Alan Cross (Labour): 168

John Keith Yarwood (Green): 151

Spoilt: 17

Turnout: 36.47%

 

Littlemoor and Preston (2 seats)

2019 Winner: Conservative and Conservative

Louie James O’Leary (Conservative): 1,599

Peter Dickenson (Conservative): 1,379

Howard Richard Legg (Liberal Democrat): 688

Ann Weaving (Liberal Democrat): 664

Alexander Robert Bailey (Independent): 439

Stephen Nicholas Brown (Labour): 408

Spoilt: 14

Turnout: 37.42%

 

Lyme and Charmouth

2019 Winner: Conservative

Belinda Bawden (Green): 884

Michaela Louise Ellis (Conservative): 380

Patrick Gerald Peter Mooney (Liberal Democrat): 103

David Philip Thomas Hart (Labour): 83

Spoilt: 7

Turnout: 35.92%

 

Lytchett Matravers and Upton (3 seats)

2019 Winner: Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Liberal Democrat

Stephen Mark Robinson (Liberal Democrat): 1,356

Alexandra Mary Brenton (Liberal Democrat): 1,354

Andrew James Starr (Liberal Democrat): 1,155

William Thomas Pipe (Conservative): 1,073

Sean Gabriel (Conservative): 965

Stewart Murray McKell (Conservative): 928

John Patrick Billington (Labour): 363

Spoilt: 24

Turnout: 27.72%

 

Marshwood Vale

2019 Winner: Conservative

Simon John Christopher (Conservative): 645

Jacqualyne Frances Irene Sewell (Green): 525

Jane Elizabeth Gregory (Liberal Democrat): 340

Stephen Douglas Chapman (Labour): 109

Spoilt: 8

Turnout: 41.37%

 

Melcombe Regis

2019 Winner: Green

Jonathan Martin Orrell (Green): 419

Claire Joan Wall (Conservative): 256

Howard John Atkinson (Labour): 176

Spoilt: 16

Turnout: 26.01%

 

Portland (3 seats)

2019 Winner: Independent, Labour and Independent

Peter John Roper (Independent): 899

Robert Hughes (Independent): 895

Paul Ralph Kimber (Labour): 875

Catherine Bennett (Green): 785

Susan Cocking (Independent): 744

Carralyn Paula Parkes (Labour): 724

Bernard Edward Parkes (Labour): 546

Margaret Caroline Gadd (Conservative): 342

Ian Munro-Price (Conservative): 244

Maureen Quinn (Conservative): 224

Holly Hope (Liberal Democrat): 120

Lee Daniel Harmsworth (Liberal Democrat): 75

Gillian Pearson (Liberal Democrat): 74

Spoilt: 22

Turnout: 27.24%

 

Puddletown and Lower Winterborne

2019 Winner: Conservative

Emma Jayne Parker (Conservative): 603

James Henry Lloyd (Liberal Democrat): 456

Helen Mary Badger (Labour): 243

Spoilt: 23

Turnout: 30.74%

 

Radipole (2 seats)

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat and Liberal Democrat

Matthew Alastair Bell (Liberal Democrat): 1,427

Louise Bown (Liberal Democrat): 1,123

Winifred Pauline Crump (Labour): 486

James William Farquharson (Conservative): 457

George Granycome (Conservative): 464

Spoilt: 23

Turnout: 30.66%

 

Rodwell and Wyke (3 seats)

2019 Winner: Green, Labour and Green

Clare Louise Sutton (Green): 1,516

Kate Wheller (Labour): 1,385

Claudia Lucienne Webb (Green): 1,327

Valerie Jane Graves (Green): 1,199

Antony Prowse (Labour): 914

Caroline Joyce Nickinson (Conservative): 825

Richard Douglas Nickinson (Conservative): 756

Thomas Taylor (Labour): 700

Clare Louise Williams (Conservatives): 644

Spoilt: 21

Turnout: 31.69%

 

Shaftesbury Town (2 seats)

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat and Liberal Democrat

Derek Leslie Beer (Liberal Democrat): 1,403

Jack David John Jeanes (Liberal Democrat): 1,008

Virginia Rhiannon Edwyn-Jones (Conservative): 558

Andrew Reginald Hollingshead (Independent): 529

Barry William Von Clemens (Conservative): 269

Daniel Bavister (Labour): 233

Lester Mark Dibben (Independent): 187

Steven James Unwin (Patriots Alliance – English Democrats and UKIP): 118

Lester Geoffrey Taylor (Patriots Alliance – English Democrats and UKIP): 86

Spoilt: 16

Turnout: 34.40%

 

Sherborne East

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat

Jonathan Albert Andrews (Liberal Democrat): 838

Juliet May Pentolfe (Conservative): 502

Robert Sean Casey (Green): 103

Spoilt: 21

Turnout: 38.76%

 

Sherborne Rural

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat

Robin Andrew Shane Legg (Liberal Democrat): 916

Stephen Hillier (Conservative): 604

Spoilt: 18

Turnout: 38.11%

 

Sherborne West

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat

Richard Henry Geoffrey Crabb (Liberal Democrat): 575

Rebecca Burns (Conservative): 471

Anthony Kelton Martin (Independent): 264

Spoilt: 5

Turnout: 34.69%

 

South East Purbeck

2019 Winner: Conservative

Benjamin James Wilson (Liberal Democrat): 848

Cherry Louise Brooks (Conservative): 523

Peter Craig Tampin-Copp (Labour): 95

Spoilt: 14

Turnout: 42.57%

 

St Leonards and St Ives (2 seats)

2019 Winner: Conservative and Conservative

John Raymond Bryan (Conservative): 1,236

Barry Peter Goringe (Conservative): 1,160

Nicola Joanne Buskell (Liberal Democrat): 730

Andrew Paul Barham (Liberal Democrat): 626

Spoilt: 17

Turnout: 30.52%

 

Stalbridge and Marnhull

2019 Winner: Conservative

James Charles Vitali (Conservative): 767

Rosalind Sheila Eveleigh (Liberal Democrat): 603

Richard George Harvey (Green): 133

Spoilt: 18

Turnout: 34.46%

 

Stour and Allen Vale

2019 Winner: Conservative

Will Mapfumo Chakawhata (Liberal Democrat): 688

Robin David Cook (Conservative): 497

Maryanne Pike (Labour): 114

Spoilt: 14

Turnout: 34.30%

 

Sturminster Newton

2019 Winner: Conservative

Carole Yvonne Jones (Conservative): 712

Kevin Nicholas Maitland-Gleed (Liberal Democrat): 267

Jennifer Daultrey (Labour): 85

Spoilt: 10

Turnout: 30.81%

 

Swanage (2 seats)

2019 Winner: Conservative and Conservative

Gary Maurice Suttle (Conservative): 1,262

William Stanley Trite (Conservative): 1,148

Deborah Susan Monkhouse (Labour): 1,084

Christopher John Bradley (Labour): 789

Philip Michael Eades (Independent): 686

Helen Mary McDavid (Independent): 460

Matthew John Piper (Liberal Democrat): 283

Kia Robert Pope (Green): 215

Gillian Mary Calvin Thomas (Liberal Democrat): 192

Spoilt: 33

Turnout: 40.92%

 

Upwey and Broadwey

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat

David James Northam (Liberal Democrat): 710

Jan Edward Ernest Bergman (Conservative): 317

Byron Silver (Labour): 242

Spoilt: 15

Turnout: 34.04%

 

Verwood (3 seats)

2019 Winner: Conservative, Conservative and Conservative

Simon Gibson (Conservative): 2,006

Toni Bartley Coombs (Conservative): 1,918

Spencer Grant Flower (Conservative): 1,765

Lindsey Dedden (Liberal Democrat): 857

Edward Arthur Mason (Liberal Democrat): 707

Ginette Marie Holddroyd (Liberal Democrat): 579

Sandra Joy Turner (Labour): 487

John Baxter (UKIP): 220

Spoilt: 10

Turnout: 28.91%

 

Wareham (2 seats)

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat and Liberal Democrat

Beryl Rita Ezzard (Liberal Democrat): 1,879

Ryan David Holloway (Liberal Democrat): 1,710

Jane Newell (Conservative): 632

Victoria Anna Stocqueler (Conservative): 617

David Brian Law (Labour): 361

Spoilt: 40

Turnout: 35.88%

 

West Moors and Three Legged Cross (2 seats)

2019 Winner: Conservative and Conservative

David William Shortell (Conservative): 1,056

Andrew Neil Skeats (Conservative): 1,054

Sally Christine Wallis (Liberal Democrat): 713

Peter Durant (Liberal Democrat): 671

Malcolm John Hobbs (Independent): 273

Steven Anzinger-Cooper (Independent): 239

Spoilt: 17

Turnout: 28.59%

 

West Parley

2019 Winner: Conservative

Andrew Charles Parry (Conservative): 564

Ann Josephine Miller (Independent): 152 

Martine Johanna Elisabeth Koutstaal (Liberal Democrat): 139

Spoilt: 6

Turnout: 28.70%

 

West Purbeck (2 seats)

2019 Winner: Conservative and Conservative

Michael John Baker (Liberal Democrat): 1,245

Laura Jane Beddow (Conservative): 962

David Graham Civil (Liberal Democrat): 929

Peter Kendrick Wharf (Conservative): 835

Peter David Green (Labour): 300

David Peden (Labour): 171

Spoilt: 17

Turnout: 33.41%

 

Westham (2 seats)

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat and Liberal Democrat

Ryan Dean Hope (Liberal Democrat): 708

Alex Fuhrmann (Liberal Democrat): 684

Lucy Hamilton (Labour): 438

Jonathan Leslie Rodd (Labour): 320

Christine Mary James (Independent): 272

Alexander John McGlynn (Conservative): 255

Thomas Oswald Tannassee (Conservative): 175

Spoilt: 25

Turnout: 24.04%

 

Wimborne Minster (2 seats)

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat and Liberal Democrat

Shane Kevin Bartlett (Liberal Democrat): 1,161

David Morgan (Liberal Democrat): 1,067

Susan Anne Cook (Conservative): 493

Michael Anthony Bartlett (Conservative): 451

Ashley Wynne Rowlands (Labour): 283

Spoilt: 13

Turnout: 29.76%

 

Winterborne and Broadmayne

2019 Winner: Liberal Democrat

Roland Garth Tarr (Liberal Democrat): 747

James Mark Penfold (Conservatives): 314

Graham Richard Brant (Reform UK): 142

Spoilt: 10

Turnout: 34.81%

 

Winterborne North

2019 Winner: Conservative

Barrie George Cooper (Liberal Democrat): 663

Stephen John O’Connell (Conservative): 444

Haydn Roger White (Labour): 107

Spoilt: 23

Turnout: 32.84%

 

Yetminster

2019 Winner: Conservative

Christopher Mark Wills Kippax (Liberal Democrat): 813

Diane Elizabeth Howell (Conservative): 752

Stuart Patrick Martin (Green): 139

Spoilt: 10

Turnout: 42.08%