South West · England · 75,924Boundary · 2023

South Dorset

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Dispatch
Apr 2026

A marginal seat — won by just 1,048 votes (2.1%) in 2024. Covers Weymouth, Swanage and Wool. Population 98,162, notably older (median age 50 vs 41 nationally).

South Dorset's MP has been running a sustained local campaign for the MEMO Portland regeneration project -- a mixed-use development promising around 100 jobs and significant tourism investment -- lobbying five ministers across three departments over 18 months, securing a direct meeting with the Chancellor, and raising the project in parliamentary speeches. He also successfully pushed for £3.8 million in government funding for a new SEND school on Portland after over a year of campaigning, including raising it directly at PMQs. These efforts dominate his recent news coverage and signal a strongly constituency-focused approach to the role.

Hatton votes at 84% participation -- broadly in line with the Commons average for a new 2024 intake MP -- and has aligned with the Labour whip on every vote except one: a January 2026 rebel vote against government regulations changing medical device approval fees. He otherwise shows 100% government-agenda alignment across 63 recorded divisions, backing the employer National Insurance increases, opposing Conservative opposition motions on oil and gas and defence, and supporting the government's position in overriding multiple Lords amendments to the Victims and Courts Bill. His stance profile places him notably below the Labour average on workers' rights votes (81%) and victim rights measures (8% aligned), though the latter may reflect the specific framing of those divisions rather than straightforward opposition. He is notably more pro-assisted-dying than his party average -- 88% versus 59%, a 29-point gap.

391
Commons votes
This parliament
£26k
Median income
HMRC · 2024
75.9k
Electorate
2024 GE

Lab took this seat from Con after 4 consecutive elections.

Current Member of Parliament

Lloyd Hatton

Lloyd Hatton

Labour Party

Lloyd Hatton is the Labour MP for South Dorset, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.

Notable Votes

MPs voted on whether to approve new fee regulations for medical devices, which update the charges paid by manufacturers to the medicines regulator (MHRA) for market surveillance and approval. The government revised earlier proposals after concerns that original fee increases would disproportionately burden small and medium-sized businesses in the life sciences sector.

MP voted NoAgainst party majorityLikely whipped

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Voting at a Glance

A marginal seat — won by just 1,048 votes (2.1%) in 2024. Covers Weymouth, Swanage and Wool. Population 98,162, notably older (median age 50 vs 41 nationally).

2024 General Election

§ 06This week in Westminster.Live · today’s sittingOrder Paper · refreshed daily

Hatton’s scheduled Commons activity this week — whipped divisions, oral questions, debates — drawn from the House of Commons Order Paper.

§ 07The record, at a glance.428 divisions voted

Two readings of the same data. Issue volume shows where Hatton has cast the most ballots — a proxy for engagement, not direction. Notable votes are the moments where the whip was free or where they broke ranks.

Issue volume
Top issues by total divisions voted · cumulative this Parliament
Taxation
97
Economy
83
Employment
47
Education
40
Crime & Policing
35
Welfare and Benefits
28
Notable votes
Free votes and rebellions — moments the MP’s own judgment matters more than the whip
Draft Medical Devices (Fees Amendment) Regulations 202628 Jan 2026
No
§ 08The local picture.12 wards

Constituencies are not uniform. Below — the local council make-up, key facts worth knowing, and the neighbouring seats on either side.

WardCouncillorVotesParty
ChickerellGill Taylor891Liberal
ChickerellSimon Arthur Dewi Clifford729Liberal
CrosswaysNick Ireland636Liberal
Littlemoor PrestonLouie James O'Leary1,599Conserva
Littlemoor PrestonPeter Dickenson1,379Conserva
Melcombe RegisJon Orrell419Green Pa
PortlandPaul Ralph Kimber875Labour P
PortlandPete Roper899Independ
PortlandRob Hughes895Independ
RadipoleLouise Bown1,123Liberal
RadipoleMatt Bell1,427Liberal
Rodwell WykeClare Sutton1,516Green Pa
Population (2021 Census)
98,162
Electorate 75,924 · 2024 register
Median income
£26,400
HMRC SPI 2024
Households renting privately
19.9%
England average 20.0%
Schools
37
24 primary · 4 secondary
Next · dig deeperEvery division, question, speech and committee record

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Filter divisions, search written questions, read every speech since the election. Sortable, searchable, downloadable.

More constituency data is being added, including local issue analysis and historical trends. Learn about our methodology. View data sources & attribution.