Lib Dem Alexander Most Senior Loser

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has become the highest ranking politician in Scotland to lose his seat in the general election.

Published 8th May 2015

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has become the highest ranking politician in Scotland to lose his seat in the general election.

The Liberal Democrat, who was at the heart of the coalition government, is one of many who have been ousted from office in the wake of the SNP's historic landslide.

He was elected as the MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey back in 2005, but has now lost that title to nationalist Drew Hendry.

Afterwards Mr Alexander conceded: It's been a very tough election and a lot of us have been swept away by this tidal wave of nationalism that has taken over many constituencies in Scotland.

We all have to reflect on that.''

He said he was proud of what he had achieved for the area and in government, adding: I'm grateful for the support I received, but it wasn't enough.

Drew Hendry has been elected and good luck to him.''

He said while the number of votes he had received was very similar'' to his tally in 2010, but this time round he had not had enough to win.

That's deeply disappointing,'' Mr Alexander said.

But I think as Liberals, and Liberal Democrats, we should hold our heads high in terms of what we've achieved in the country, but clearly we have a lot of rebuilding to do.

The flame of Highland liberalism will keep burning and our job is to make it burn brighter in the years to come.''