2008 Weymouth and Portland Borough Council election explained

Elections to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council in Dorset, England were held on 1 May 2008. One third of the council was up for election and the council stayed under no overall control as it has been since 1980.^[1]

The Mayor David Harris and four other councillors stood down at the election. A further seat was vacant for Melcombe Regis after the death of a Liberal Democrat councillor.^[2]

The election saw the Conservative Party gain 3 seats, including their first ever seat in Portland, consolidating their position as largest party on the council. However their leader Nigel Reed lost in Weymouth East to the Liberal Democrats.^[3] The leader of the Labour Party on the council, Kate Wheller, was one of two Labour losses when she lost in Westham West.^[4]

After the election, the composition of the council was:

• Conservative 16
• Liberal Democrat 12
• Labour 4
• Independent 4

References

• 2008 Weymouth and Portland election result
• Ward results

Notes and References

1. Web site: Councils set for election fever . 2008-05-04 . 2008-04-29. BBC Online.
2. Web site: Mayor to miss election . 2008-05-04 . 2008-04-05 . .
3. Web site: Tories gain seats and Labour lose . 2008-05-04 . 2008-05-02. BBC Online.
4. Web site: Tory gains in Weymouth and Portland elections . 2008-05-04 . 2008-05-02. Dorset Echo.