My supporters voted Labour to block Tory win, says beaten Lib Dem Lynne Featherstone

Ousted Liberal Democrat minister Lynne Featherstone has thanked supporters as she bowed out of Parliament.

Ms Featherstone was the most senior Jewish woman in the coalition government but lost her seat in north London’s Hornsey and Wood Green constituency to Labour.

In an email to supporters on Tuesday, Ms Featherstone said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve - both locally and nationally. I have had the opportunity to help people and to change the world a little bit for the better - the very reason I went into politics in the first place.

“I know how hard it was for my left-leaning constituents - because many of you told me on the doorstep - to decide between keeping me and your genuine fear that if you voted for me that we would get a Conservative government. Ironically we have one anyway.