Poet’s resting place becomes election issue

A row involving a place of pilgrimage could play a part in the political make-up of one Somerset council after Thursday’s elections.

South Somerset District Council is a long-term Liberal Democrat stronghold, but party chiefs admit the coalition is a major issue on the doorsteps and may see voters turn their back on the party.

The council’s draft core strategy is another issue. It envisages an urban extension of Yeovil stretching out towards the village of East Coker, where poet T S Eliot’s ashes are buried. It has caused an outcry and could cost seats in local wards.

Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has called in to rally the troops in Mendip where Tories are the largest party with 23 seats, just three more than the Lib Dems. Independents hold four.

One Tory and one Independent have already been returned in West Dorset where the Tories hold control with 28 of the 48 seats. Liberal Democrats currently hold 14 seats and independents six.

Conservatives’ control of North Dorset could be under threat if UKIP candidates split the vote, but it is likely to remain the largest party. The Liberal Democrats contest all 28 wards, with Conservatives fighting 27, Labour, nine, independents six, UKIP four and Greens two.

The Tories are also the largest party in Weymouth & Portland, and they and Labour are contesting each of the 12 wards up for election.

There is all to play for in Purbeck where Liberal Democrats are the largest party but do not have overall control. They hold 12 of the 24 seats, Tories hold 10 and Independents two. One third of the wards are up for re-election.

East Dorset District Council already has 12 Tory councillors returned unopposed. The party holds 25 of the 36 seats, and the Lib Dems 11.