Jo Swinson insists she has no regrets despite losing her seat on disappointing night for Lib Dems

Jo Swinson has insisted she does not regret the Liberal Democrats’ election campaign, despite losing her own seat on a disappointing night for the party.

The Lib Dem leader admitted her party’s staunch opposition to Brexit “hasn’t worked” but said she did not “regret trying”.

The Liberal Democrats won just 11 seats – one fewer than in 2017.

Ms Swinson saw her Dunbartonshire East seat captured by the SNP by a margin of just 149 votes.

Other party stalwarts such as Tom Brake also missed out, while recent defectors Sam Gyimah, Luciana Berger and Chuka Umunna failed in their bids to be re-elected

Speaking in central London in the aftermath of the election result, Ms Swinson said: “I’m proud in this election to have fought for what we – and millions of people – believe is the best future for our country: remaining in the European Union.

“When 19 Labour MPs helped pass Johnson’s Brexit deal in the House of Commons, it was clear we had to act. We forced Johnson to request an extension to Article 50, but without Labour’s support couldn’t assemble a majority for a People’s Vote, leaving a general election as the only chance to remain in the EU.”

She continued: “So I did not shirk the debates and the phone-ins, I turned up to the interviews, and I stood up proudly for our beliefs. I’m proud that Liberal Democrats have been the unapologetic voice of Remain in this election, giving people the chance to choose to stop Brexit.

“Obviously it hasn’t worked. And I, like you, am devastated about that. But I don’t regret trying – trying everything. Because the prize was to save our future, our children’s future, in Europe, where we can work together to tackle the climate emergency, trade freely to boost our living standards, and be a strong beacon for human rights around the world.”

Ms Swinson said she was “so sorry” that she had not been able to help Ms Berger, Mr Umunna and Mr Gyimah win their election races.

However, she defended her party’s campaign and insisted that she had been “true to myself”.

She said: “We have been true to ourselves, and true to our liberal values. And as your leader I have been true to myself too, as a Scot, a Brit, a European, as a liberal, a humanist, a feminist, as a daughter, sister, wife, and a mum to two small kids.

“Being myself, whether people attacked my vision or my voice, my ideas or my earrings. One of the realities of smashing glass ceilings is that a lot of broken glass comes down on your head.”

The Liberal Democrats announced on Friday morning that Sir Ed Davey, the party’s Treasury spokesperson, and Sal Brinton, the party president, would take temporary charge until a leadership contest is held in the new year.

Baroness Brinton said: “I want to thank Jo Swinson for her honest and fearless leadership of the Liberal Democrats.

“In this election, we gained more votes than in 2017 and we have been joined by many new MPs.

“In the weeks ahead we will elect a new leader and our party will continue to be the rallying point for anyone who believes in a country where everyone has the chance to get on in life.”