The drama around election night for South Dorset and West Dorset

As the candidates began streaming through the doors from around 12am the excitement of the night built. 

There were nerves among members of the Conservative party at the beginning of the proceedings, following the exit poll which predicted a wipe-out for the party.

Among the Liberal Democrats, there were mixed emotions, with the party expecting a win in the west -  but there were fears that the Reform vote in the south could have been huge. 

The rise in the Reform vote also proved a problem for the Conservatives, as worry began to rise that the significant vote share from the party could make their loss more likely.

Lloyd Hatton remained tight lipped before the declaration, with many members of the Labour party saying that the result in South Dorset was 'too close to call.' 

As the night went on the tension rose between the Conservatives and Labour camps, with nerves on both sides as the result hung in the balance.

At around 4.30am, Chris Loder came through the door, and he was followed by Richard Drax shortly after, who looked relaxed despite the exit poll predictions. 

A moment of silence passed shortly before the call for Dorset South, as members of all parties rushed to Sports Hall 1 for the declaration to be read. Members of the Labour party began hugging each other, whilst Richard Drax was talking with his supporters in consolation. 

Lloyd Hatton watching the count unfold (Image: Tom Lawrence) Huge cheers roared throughout the hall when it was confirmed that Lloyd Hatton had secured enough votes to become MP for South Dorset. 

With this call coming in at around 4.30am, eyes turned to West Dorset for what many were considering a 'two-horse race' between the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats. 

More drama ensued late on as a solemn Chris Loder asked for the ballots to be displayed differently during the verification of the votes. The room held its breath before news trickled out that candidates could have to wait up to an hour before the declaration was to be read.

Chris Loder at the verification of votes (Image: Alfie Lumb) Following a delay of around 30 minutes, the declaration was read out, confirming Edward Morello as the MP for West Dorset - the first time the seat had not been Conservative in its history. Cries of jubilation from the Liberal Democrats ensued as it was confirmed that Edward Morello had secured a majority of more than 7,000 votes. 

Chris Loder speaking to Edward Morello after the vote (Image: Tom Lawrence)

Chris Loder made a swift exit after the results, speaking briefly to Edward Morello in a diplomatic moment between the rival candidates.

The hall then fell silent once more as the counting tables were packed away and the tired few remaining slowly filtered out.