I love Jo Swinson like a sister and she was unfairly treated – Alex Cole-Hamilton

By Alex Cole-Hamilton
Published 13th Dec 2019, 09:57 BST
Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson speaks after losing her East Dunbartonshire seat (Picture: David Cheskin/Getty Images)Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson speaks after losing her East Dunbartonshire seat (Picture: David Cheskin/Getty Images)
Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson speaks after losing her East Dunbartonshire seat (Picture: David Cheskin/Getty Images)
Jo Swinson, who resigned as Liberal Democrat leader after losing her seat in the general election, should return to politics because the rise of nationalism in Scotland and the UK means it is vital to have strong, Liberal and internationalist voices like hers, writes Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP.

When Theresa May heard the results of the exit poll at 10pm on the night of the 2017 snap general election she dashed from the room. The subject of what happened next is the matter of some conjecture. Some say she threw up, some say she burst into tears. Irrespective of what actually happened, I learned on Thursday night exactly how she must have felt.

The exit poll at 10pm at close of poll made me consider both of the physiological responses attributed to May. It showed that an unforeseen wave of Scottish Nationalism was once again sweeping our country.

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They were projected to get 55 seats and wipe my party (the Liberal Democrats) out in Scotland entirely. Added to which, Boris Johnson’s Tory Party were projected to sweep the table south of the border and achieve a thumping majority with which to slow cook the ‘oven-ready’ EU withdrawal agreement alongside a nice plum pudding in time for Christmas.