THE BLUES blew the opposition away in West Dorset as MP Oliver Letwin increased his majority in the constituency.

The Conservative candidate was elected to serve a fifth term after polling 50 per cent of the vote.

In doing so, Mr Letwin saw his majority increase from 3,923 five years ago to 16,130 with 28,329 votes.

Ros Kayes from the Liberal Democrats came in second, but saw the party’s poll of the vote fall from 40 per cent in 2010 to around 22 per cent with 12,199 votes. Ukip overtook Labour to claim third place, with David Glossop attracting 7,055 votes to Rachel Rogers’ 5,633.

The Green Party finished in fifth place but saw its votes rise from 675 in 2010 to 3,242.

Mr Letwin said it was an ‘inestimable privilege’ to be elected to represent one of the ‘most beautiful and most marvellous constituencies in the country’ for a fifth term.

He added that it the national picture had also seen the Tories exceed many expectations.

Mr Letwin said: “We have actually seen what is clearly going to be the return of a Conservative Government under David Cameron to continue to rebuild this country and to provide a secure and better future for its people.”

Lib Dem candidate Mrs Kayes repeated calls she had made before the result was declared for party leader Nick Clegg to consider his position in light of the election result.

She said: “"I would say to Nick Clegg to consider his position now.

“You have presided over the biggest fall of support for our party since the early 1970s, it's now time for you to fall on your sword.

“The Liberal Democrat party is a great party with great traditions, and you Nick, must not be responsible for its complete destruction."

Ukip’s David Glossop said: “We have grown our membership and we have show that we have got policies that an increased number of people have voted for in West Dorset.

“It has been heavy going and pretty exhausting but thank you very much indeed for your support.”

Labour candidate Rachel Rogers added: “It looks like tonight is possibly going to be a disappointing night for the Labour party nationally but locally we have raised our profile during this campaign significantly and we have managed to increase our share of the vote.”

Green’s Peter Barton said: "As a party we have taken a big step forward and we are now a significant force in politics."

"We will continue to campaign against austerity politics."

All of the candidates thanked those counting on the night and those who had manned the polling stations throughout the day.

The turnout figure was 72.62 per cent, down slightly on 2010 when 74.59 per cent of the electorate turned out to vote.