† Conservative ‡ Labour ¤ Liberal Democrat See 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies for further details.
For the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which redrew the constituency map ahead of the 2024 United Kingdom general election, the Boundary Commission for England opted to retain the eight current constituencies in Dorset, with minor boundary changes to reflect changes to ward boundaries following the reorganisation of local government authorities within the county.
[3] The boundary commission recommended the following seats within Dorset: Containing electoral wards from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Containing electoral wards from Dorset (unitary authority)
Primary data source: House of Commons research briefing - General election results from 1918 to 2019[4] The number of votes cast for each political party who fielded candidates in constituencies comprising Dorset in the 2024 general election were as follows:[2] Note that before 1983 Dorset did not include the Bournemouth and Christchurch areas (see below).
11950-1979: Liberal Party; 1983 & 1987 - SDP-Liberal Alliance * Included in Other Accurate vote percentages are not applicable for the 1918 election because one candidate stood unopposed.