BBC Profile:
This constituency has been held by the Conservatives since 1950. During the Thatcher and Major years, the seat was held by Nicholas Baker but he made way in 1997 for the current incumbent, Robert Walter.

Mr Walter was elected in 1997 with a majority of just under 2,750. His majority over the Liberal Democrats increased in 2001 to almost 3,800, but fell in 2005 to 2,274.

At the election, the ward gains Three Cross and Potterne, Verwood Dewlands, Verwood Newtown and Verwood Stephen's Castle, and part-wards Longham, Parley and Stapehill will move entirely within Christchurch. To find out what might have happened had these boundary changes been in force at the last election, see a notional - or estimated - result below.

North Dorset is set in the countryside to the north of Poole. It includes the Dorset Downs and Cranbourne Chase, designated areas of outstanding beauty, and is home to the small market towns of Gillingham, Blandford Forum, and Shaftesbury.

Over 30% of North Dorset is rural compared with 7% of the average constituency. Consequently, farming is a significant part of the local economy, but there are also a number of commuter villagers, and an above average number of constituents are employed in managerial and technical jobs.

There are many small businesses in the area, and one-fifth of the workforce is self-employed.

The area benefits economically from the headquarters of the Royal Corps of Signals at Blandford army camp, and also from

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BBC Profile:
This constituency has been held by the Conservatives since 1950. During the Thatcher and Major years, the seat was held by Nicholas Baker but he made way in 1997 for the current incumbent, Robert Walter.

Mr Walter was elected in 1997 with a majority of just under 2,750. His majority over the Liberal Democrats increased in 2001 to almost 3,800, but fell in 2005 to 2,274.

At the election, the ward gains Three Cross and Potterne, Verwood Dewlands, Verwood Newtown and Verwood Stephen's Castle, and part-wards Longham, Parley and Stapehill will move entirely within Christchurch. To find out what might have happened had these boundary changes been in force at the last election, see a notional - or estimated - result below.

North Dorset is set in the countryside to the north of Poole. It includes the Dorset Downs and Cranbourne Chase, designated areas of outstanding beauty, and is home to the small market towns of Gillingham, Blandford Forum, and Shaftesbury.

Over 30% of North Dorset is rural compared with 7% of the average constituency. Consequently, farming is a significant part of the local economy, but there are also a number of commuter villagers, and an above average number of constituents are employed in managerial and technical jobs.

There are many small businesses in the area, and one-fifth of the workforce is self-employed.

The area benefits economically from the headquarters of the Royal Corps of Signals at Blandford army camp, and also from its areas of outstanding natural beauty and historical importance.

Rallings & Thrasher Notional:
C 22,721 (46.41%)
LD 18,521 (37.83%)
Lab 4,709 (9.62%)
UKIP 1,888 (3.86%)
Green 1,117 (2.28%)

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