The Alliance for Local Living also stood parties, after being set up in 2018, and cooperating with Poole People;[5] ALL intended to stand four candidates in total, but due to the timing of the official registration of the party, only two were able to be listed on the ballot paper;[6] all four candidates also stood in Poole seats, but with only one win.

In March 2019, seven Conservative candidates, including the leader of the council David Flagg, were suspended from the party following their opposition to the merger.

[7] Five of the suspended councillors (David Flagg, Margaret Phipps, Lesley Dedman, Nick Geary and Janet Abbott) alongside two existing independents (Colin Bungey and Fred Neale) stood as 'Christchurch Independents',[8] in opposition to the Conservatives, with those holding seats forming a group in the council after the election.

The Conservatives held seats in Bournemouth, with other parties and independents performing well in both Christchurch and Poole.

[11][12] Subsequently, Liberal Democrat Vikki Slade was elected council leader of a "Unity Alliance" of all the parties except the Conservatives and UKIP, with 39 members in total.

By-election triggered by death of Liberal Democrat councillor Pete Parrish in July 2020.