West Dorset (constituency)

The seat was created under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885. ;Political history Only Conservative MPs had been elected in West Dorset until the 2024 general election, when Edward Morello won the seat for the Liberal Democrats for the first time since its creation. Historically there had mostly been large majorities; thus the seat was considered a safe seat. The previous closest result in recent years was in 2001, when the then member, Oliver Letwin, held his seat with a majority of only 2.8% over the Liberal Democrat candidate, Simon Green. The second place in every election after 1970 has been taken by the Liberal Party and, subsequent to that party's merging with the SDP, the Liberal Democrats. Labour's best results in the constituency were in 1945 and 1966. ;Prominent frontbenchers Oliver Letwin, with a settled background in policy formulation, was appointed Minister of State for Policy (a Cabinet Office role) in the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition on 12 May 2010. He had previously served as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer between 2003 and 2005. ==Boundaries==

1885–1918: The Municipal Boroughs of Bridport and Lyme Regis, the Sessional Divisions of Bridport and Cerne, and part of the Sessional Divisions of Dorchester and Sherborne. 1918–1950: The Municipal Boroughs of Bridport, Dorchester, and Lyme Regis, the Rural Districts of Beaminster, Bridport, Cerne, and Dorchester, and part of the Rural District of Weymouth. 1950–1974: The Municipal Boroughs of Bridport, Dorchester, and Lyme Regis, the Urban District of Sherborne, the Rural Districts of Beaminster, Bridport, and Sherborne, and part of the Rural District of Dorchester. 1974–1983: As 1950 but with redrawn boundaries. 1983–2024: The District of West Dorset except the ward of Owermoigne. 2024–present: The District of Dorset wards of: Beaminster; Bridport; Chalk Valleys; Charminster St. Mary’s; Chesil Bank; Dorchester East; Dorchester Poundbury; Dorchester West; Eggardon; Lyme & Charmouth; Marshwood Vale; Sherborne East; Sherborne Rural; Sherborne West; Winterborne & Broadmayne; Yetminster. Minor changes to bring the electorate within the permitted range following re-organisation of local authorities and wards in Dorset. The West Dorset constituency includes the towns of Dorchester, the county town of Dorset; Bridport, Lyme Regis and Beaminster to the west; and Sherborne to the north. ==Constituency profile==

Aside from tourist areas, including the Jurassic Coast which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the seat draws on managerial and advanced professional skills in sectors such as mechanical engineering, manufacturing, reconditioning, defence, art and design, which support local trades and retail. A slightly greater than average proportion of people are retired. Workless claimants who were registered jobseekers were in November 2012 significantly lower than the national average of 3.8%, at 1.4% of the population based on a statistical compilation by The Guardian. ==Members of Parliament==

Elections in the 2020s Elections in the 2010s Elections in the 2000s Elections in the 1990s }} Elections in the 1980s Elections in the 1970s Elections in the 1960s Elections in the 1950s Elections in the 1940s General Election 1939–40: Another general election was required to take place before the end of 1940. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place from 1939, and by the end of this year the following candidates had been selected: • Conservative: Simon Wingfield Digby • Liberal: George Edwin Chappell • British Union: Ralph Jebb Elections in the 1930s Elections in the 1920s Elections in the 1910s General Election 1914–15: Another General Election was required to take place before the end of 1915. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place and by July 1914, the following candidates had been selected: • Unionist: Robert Williams • Liberal: Elections in the 1900s Elections in the 1890s Elections in the 1880s ==See also==