From Vince Cable to Danny Alexander, the coalition ministers who lost their heads

Four Liberal Democrat cabinet ministers have lost their seats

The Liberal Democrats have been reduced to single figures in the Commons following a devastating election result that led to the resignation of Nick Clegg.

But on a night that saw a major power shift towards the Tories - these were the coalition ministers who lost their seats:

Danny Alexander – Liberal Democrats, Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (-9.4 per cent from 2010)

The former Chief Secretary to the Treasury was ousted by SNP candidate Drew Hendry, who just achieved a majority share of the vote. Mr Alexander enjoyed a rapid rise from press officer for the cairgorms National Park to the fourth most powerful policitian in the land, in just five years. He achieved 40 per cent of the vote in 2010.

Simon Hughes – Liberal Democrats, Bermondsey and Old Southwark (-14 per cent from 2010)

Vince Cable – Liberal Democrats, Twickenham (-16.4 per cent from 2010)

The former Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and former Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats saw a large drop in votes in the constituency he had held since 1997. Mr Cable also served as Shadow Chancellor from 2003 to 2010. Conservative candidate Tania Mathias takes his seat.

Esther McVey – Conservatives, Wirral West (+1.7 per cent from 2010)

The former Minister of State for Employment, who described herself as a “compassionate Merseyside Conservative”, introduced the bedroom tax and massively unpopular cuts to disability benefit. She saw a small increase in support, but lost her constituency narrowly due to a 8.9 per cent rise in support for Labour candidate Margaret Greenwood.

Lynne Featherstone – Liberal Democrats, Hornsey and Wood Green (-14.7 per cent from 2010)

Labour candidate Catherine West enjoyed a 16.9 per cent bump to take a vote majority and the former Minister of State for the Home Office’s seat. She successfully made the case for equal marriage as an equalities minister and campaigned against female genital mutilation.

David Laws – Liberal Democrats, Yeovil (-22.6 per cent from 2010)

A large dip in support saw the former Minister of State for the Cabinet Office and former Minister of State for Schools lose the seat he has occupied since 2001. Conservative candidate Marcus Fysh took the seat with 42.5 per cent of the vote. He was one of the Liberal Democrats who negotiated the Coalition Agreement in May 2010 and he served briefly as Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

As Minister of State for Schools and Minister of State in the Cabinet Office he oversaw the implementation of the Party’s Pupil Premium policy which aimed to raise the attainment levels of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Jo Swinson – Liberal Democrats, East Dunbartonshire (-2.4 per cent from 2010)

A near 30 per cent rise in vote share for SNP candidate John Nicolson saw Ms Swinson lose the seat she has occupied since 2005. The former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment relations, consumer and postal affairs was the first MP to be elected to the house who was born in the 1980s, and was the youngest member of parliament for four years.

Ed Davey – Liberal Democrats, Kingston and Surbiton (-15.3 per cent from 2010)

The Liberal Democrat cabinet member lost his seat to Conservative candidate James Berry, failing to defend his previous majority of 7,500 votes in the constituency. In 2012 he was promoted to the role of Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change where he oversaw a increase in renewable electricity in the UK amid rising energy prices.