Vince Cable amongst Lib Dem election casualties

Former Lib Dem MP and Business Secretary Vince Cable. Picture: Gordon Fraser

THE NUMBER of Liberal Democrats in the Commons could be reduced to single figures as Nick Clegg faced a battle to retain his own place at Westminster.

Business Secretary Vince Cable became the highest-profile scalp as voters deserted the party after five years in coalition government with the Conservatives.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey also lost his seat and Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander could become another Cabinet casualty.

An exit poll indicated that the Lib Dems would return just 10 MPs to Parliament, but party sources indicated that figure could be optimistic on a “devastating” night.

A source said: “The exit poll is accurate. It may be even worse than that.”

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