Ed Balls loses his seat: Twitter holds Ed Balls Day vigil in loving tribute to the former MP

The shadow chancellor lost to Tory candidate Andrea Jenkyns

Ed Balls talks to our reporter, Andrew Grice (Justin Sutcliffe)

Another of Westminster’s most respected MPs has lost their seat – and the world has reacted with similar dismay as the Labour bloodbath continued.

Ed Balls was beaten in Morley and Outwood by Tory candidate Andrea Jenkyns, who won with 18,776 to his 18,345.

Political commentators expressed their surprise on Twitter, with many noting his regard as one of the best economic minds in Westminster, whose intellect would be sorely missed:

Others were more concerned about the continuation of a certain annual day celebrated on 28 April:

And then there were those who decided to hold another day in silent tribute to his sad departure: