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Ousted in a landslide: what are former Liberal Democrat MPs doing now? Ousted in a landslide: what are former Liberal Democrat MPs doing now?
(about 1 hour later)
The Liberal Democrats memorably went from 57 seats in parliament to just eight at the general election. So what have those who lost their seats been up to since last May?The Liberal Democrats memorably went from 57 seats in parliament to just eight at the general election. So what have those who lost their seats been up to since last May?
Simon Hughes – Open UniversitySimon Hughes – Open University
On Monday, it was announced that longtime Bermondsey MP Simon Hughes had taken a job as head of public affairs at the Open University. The former Lib Dem chairman has taken the role on maternity cover for a year.On Monday, it was announced that longtime Bermondsey MP Simon Hughes had taken a job as head of public affairs at the Open University. The former Lib Dem chairman has taken the role on maternity cover for a year.
Danny Alexander – Asia Infrastructure Investment BankDanny Alexander – Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank
Danny Alexander had a close working relationship with George Osborne in his role as chief secretary to the Treasury. When the Chinese spearheaded the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the chancellor decided to put his former colleague forward as Britain’s representative. Alexander was appointed vice-president, despite some in Beijing reportedly being “unimpressed” with the decision to pick a former politician instead of an experienced economist.Danny Alexander had a close working relationship with George Osborne in his role as chief secretary to the Treasury. When the Chinese spearheaded the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the chancellor decided to put his former colleague forward as Britain’s representative. Alexander was appointed vice-president, despite some in Beijing reportedly being “unimpressed” with the decision to pick a former politician instead of an experienced economist.
Ed Davey – clean energy projectsEd Davey – clean energy projects
The former energy and climate change secretary is now advising law firm Herbert Smith and Macquarie Bank on their renewable energy projects. He has clarified that he will not help them with the Swansea Bay tidal project or Hinkley Point, both of which he was involved inas part of his ministerial role. Davey also chairs Bristol-based community energy investment firm Mongoose Energy. The former energy and climate change secretary is now advising law firm Herbert Smith and Macquarie Bank on their renewable energy projects. He has clarified that he will not help them with the Swansea Bay tidal project or Hinkley Point, both of which he was involved in as part of his ministerial role. Davey also chairs Bristol-based community energy investment firm Mongoose Energy.
Sir Bob Russell – tour guideSir Bob Russell – tour guide
The BBC reported last September that, after 18 years as Colchester MP, Russell was offering guided tours of the constituency for £5 a time. He wants to put the money towards a statue of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star writer Jane Taylor, who lived in the town.The BBC reported last September that, after 18 years as Colchester MP, Russell was offering guided tours of the constituency for £5 a time. He wants to put the money towards a statue of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star writer Jane Taylor, who lived in the town.
Lynne Featherstone – peerLynne Featherstone – peer
The former Haringey MP was appointed to the House of Lords after failing to get re-elected last May. She was joined in the upper house by Lorely Burt, who lost her Solihull seat, and several other former MPs including Sir Malcolm Bruce, Sir Alan Beith, Sir Menzies Campbell, Don Foster and Sir Andew Stunell.The former Haringey MP was appointed to the House of Lords after failing to get re-elected last May. She was joined in the upper house by Lorely Burt, who lost her Solihull seat, and several other former MPs including Sir Malcolm Bruce, Sir Alan Beith, Sir Menzies Campbell, Don Foster and Sir Andew Stunell.
David Laws – educational charitiesDavid Laws – educational charities
Laws was appointed schools minister in 2012. He is now an unpaid adviser to educational charity Future First and a trustee of the Teacher Development Trust. Laws also advises the international division of the children’s charity Ark.Laws was appointed schools minister in 2012. He is now an unpaid adviser to educational charity Future First and a trustee of the Teacher Development Trust. Laws also advises the international division of the children’s charity Ark.
Alan Reid – running for Scottish parliamentAlan Reid – running for Scottish parliament
Alan Reid lost his Argyll and Bute seat to the SNP in a landslide last year. However, he is hoping to make a rapid return to politics by running in the same area in the Scottish parliament elections for the Lib Dems in May.Alan Reid lost his Argyll and Bute seat to the SNP in a landslide last year. However, he is hoping to make a rapid return to politics by running in the same area in the Scottish parliament elections for the Lib Dems in May.
Other MPs hoping to make a quick comeback to public office include ex-Withington MP John Leech, who said last July he would run for Manchester council. Gordon Birtwistle was already a councillor in Burnley during his time as an MP, while Adrian Sanders won a byelection in Torbay last November.Other MPs hoping to make a quick comeback to public office include ex-Withington MP John Leech, who said last July he would run for Manchester council. Gordon Birtwistle was already a councillor in Burnley during his time as an MP, while Adrian Sanders won a byelection in Torbay last November.
Michael Moore – PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)Michael Moore – PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
Moore became very familiar with the issue of devolution during his time as Scottish secretary. He is now advising the Devo Delivery Network at PwC, where he worked before becoming an MP.Moore became very familiar with the issue of devolution during his time as Scottish secretary. He is now advising the Devo Delivery Network at PwC, where he worked before becoming an MP.
Julian Huppert – lecturer at Cambridge UniversityJulian Huppert – lecturer at Cambridge University
After narrowly losing Cambridge last year, Huppert has joined the department of politics and international studies (POLIS) at Cambridge University as a lecturer.After narrowly losing Cambridge last year, Huppert has joined the department of politics and international studies (POLIS) at Cambridge University as a lecturer.
Paul Burstow, once care services minister, has also gone into academia. He is now a professor at City University, as well as a chair of the Tavistock and Portman NHS foundation trust.Paul Burstow, once care services minister, has also gone into academia. He is now a professor at City University, as well as a chair of the Tavistock and Portman NHS foundation trust.
And the others ...And the others ...
Former pension minister Steve Webb has gone into insurance, working as head of policy for Royal London.Former pension minister Steve Webb has gone into insurance, working as head of policy for Royal London.
Jo Swinson has been getting stuck into a portfolio of roles after leaving her post as employment relations and consumer affairs minister. These include a non-executive directorship at Clear Returns, a business intelligence business, and a panel membership at BISL (commonly known as CompareTheMarket.com).Jo Swinson has been getting stuck into a portfolio of roles after leaving her post as employment relations and consumer affairs minister. These include a non-executive directorship at Clear Returns, a business intelligence business, and a panel membership at BISL (commonly known as CompareTheMarket.com).
Former Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood is now director of engagement and impact at Development Initiatives.Former Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood is now director of engagement and impact at Development Initiatives.
Dan Rogerson, who was an undersecretary at the department of food, energy and rural affairs, now chairs Wessex Water.Dan Rogerson, who was an undersecretary at the department of food, energy and rural affairs, now chairs Wessex Water.
Nick Clegg’s ex-parliamentary private secretary Duncan Hames now works in cyber security at Templar Executives.Nick Clegg’s ex-parliamentary private secretary Duncan Hames now works in cyber security at Templar Executives.
Now working with @templarexecs, a great team I've known for years, who can really help you protect your information. https://t.co/J0azOiRXXpNow working with @templarexecs, a great team I've known for years, who can really help you protect your information. https://t.co/J0azOiRXXp