^{New Forest West Constituency Labour Party}

North Dorset constituency profile
T

he constituency is made up of attractive countryside and well-off commuter villages. The main towns of Shaftesbury and Blandford Forum are pleasant market towns, the latter destroyed completely by fire in 1731. It was rebuilt in Georgian splendour and attracts many tourists to the region. The Dorset Downs and Cranbourne Chase, also found in this seat, are Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Shaftesbury is of historic importance in holding the remains of Edward the Martyr, murdered in 978, and in being the final resting place of Canute. The constituency also includes Wimborne Minster.
Source: Dods (www.vacherdod.co.uk)

Sitting MP: Robert Walter

2001 General Election result

1 Robert Walter: Conservative - 22314 - 46.7%
2 Emily Gasson: Liberal Democrat - 18517 - 38.7%
3 Mark Wareham: Labour - 5334 - 11.2%
4 Peter Jenkins: UK Independent - 1019 - 2.1%
5 Joseph Duthie: Lower Excise - 391 - 0.8%
6 Cora Bone: Independent - 246 - 0.5%

Conservative majority 3797
Turnout: 66.3%

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