When it became clear to Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson that she had lost her seat at last month’s general election, she didn’t cry. At least not in front of anyone. Instead, the first question she asked was whether her mum and sister were okay. She hugged her staff, and was outwardly upbeat through the night and into the following day’s speech, in which she confirmed she would resign as the party’s leader. Only days later did the news sink in. “I’m still not over it to be honest,” reflects one of those who was with Swinson in East Dunbartonshire that evening.
The party speaks about its now-former leader in reverent tones. “No, I haven’t seen her. Just texted,” one MP says with a sad smile. Another rules out running for the top post because, they say, they could never match Swinson’s commitment and energy to the rather unforgiving job of Liberal Democrat leader. “She’s the most resilient person I’ve ever met,” says one Liberal Democrat who worked closely with Swinson. Party figures like to joke that “you could punch her in the face” and she would merely take a breather and keep going.
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