Vote 2015: Purbeck District Council results

The Tories won 19 seats out of a possible 25 in this year’s election, which was the first in which all 25 members were elected to the council at the same time.

Previously the elections had been held by thirds.

The Liberal Democrats dropped to just five seats and one seat was retained by an independent councillor.

This year’s results saw a major change from the last local election, which was held in May 2014 and resulted in no political party holding an overall majority.

But the national increase in Tory support seen in the general election seems to have benefitted the party at local level.

Last year, when Purbeck Council had 24 seats, the Conservatives had 12.

In this year’s election, in which there was one extra seat up for grabs, the Tories secured an additional seven.

And again, as reflected in the general election, support for the Lib Dems plummeted at the polls as the party failed to win over voters.

Just five Lib Dem councillors have been elected this year. The party previously had 11 councillors on the council.

The final seat on the council went to the independent councillor Nigel Dragon, who represents Castle Ward.

Purbeck District Council counted its votes on Saturday. 

The following councillors have been elected:

Bere Regis: Peter Wharf (Con) Castle: Nigel Dragon (Ind)

Creech Barrow: Malcolm Barnes (Con)

Langton: Mike Lovell (Con)

Lulworth and Winfirth: Barry Quinn (Con)

Lytchett Matravers: Wendy Meaden (Con), Peter James Webb (Con)

Lytchett Minster and Upton East: Fred Drane (Lib Dem), Carol Tilling (Lib Dem)

Lytchett Minster and Upton West: Claire Pipe (Con), William Pipe (Con)

St Martin: Beryl Ezzard (Lib Dem), Mark Unsworth (Con)

Swanage North: Gloria Marsh (Con), William Trite (Con), Michael Whitwam (Con)

Swanage South: Caroline Finch (Con), Timothy Morris (Con), Gary Suttle (Con)

Wareham: David Budd (Lib Dem), Hilary Goodinge (Con), Mike Wiggins (Con)

Wool: Cherry Brooks (Con), Graham Brown (Con), Laura Miller (Con)