The campaigning is over for the candidates vying to become West Dorset’s next MP as electors go to the polls today.

People will be deciding who has their vote in an election which may see a change in government.

Chris Loder has been West Dorset’s Conservative MP for more than four years and he is standing against five other candidates. They are Oliver Chisholm (Independent); Kelvin Clayton (Green); Donna Lumsden (Labour); Ed Morello (Liberal Democrat) and Marcus White (Independent).

In last week’s Bridport News the candidates told us why people should vote for them. You can also read about the candidates on our website.

READ: West Dorset candidate Oliver Chisholm (Independent)

READ: West Dorset candidate Kelvin Clayton (Green Party)

READ: West Dorset candidate Chris Loder (Conservative)

READ: West Dorset candidate Donna Lumsden (Labour)

READ: West Dorset candidate Ed Morello 

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer yesterday made their final pleas to voters ahead of the polls opening for the General Election.

Millions of people across the UK will cast their vote between 7am and 10pm today, with opinion polls suggesting Labour are on course to secure a big majority in the House of Commons and form a new government.

Mr Sunak insisted today represents a “pivotal moment” for the country’s future, as he claimed Labour would “wield their unchecked power” to increase taxes should they secure a “supermajority”. Sir Keir said the UK “cannot afford” five more years under the Conservatives, adding Britain can “begin a new chapter” under his party.

An exit poll, published shortly after 10pm on Thursday, will provide the first indication of how the election has gone on a national level. We’ll have the latest from the count overnight on our website including all the results and reaction.

Meanwhile, the last MRP poll ahead of the election has predicted that Dorset could be left with just one Tory MP on Friday morning. West Dorset is predicted to fall to the Lib Dems and South Dorset to Labour.