Truss, Rees-Mogg, Shapps, Mordaunt Among Senior Tories To Lose Seats
Jacob Rees-Mogg at his election count this morning (Alamy)
2 min read
Former prime minister Liz Truss, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Grant Shapps and Penny Mordaunt are among the biggest Tory names to have lost their seats in the crushing 2024 Tory defeat.
While Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt have held on to their seats, Truss' loss to Labour was one of the most surprising results of the night, as she lost to Labour by just over 600 votes in South West Norfolk.
Rees-Mogg, meanwhile won 15,420 votes in North East Somerset and Hanham, compared to the 20,739 secured by Labour’s Dan Norris.
Hunt, who has been chancellor since 2022, held on in Godalming and Ash by fewer than 1,000 votes, one of few Tory successes overnight.
Other Conservative big beasts to have lost their seats included Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt, Transport Secretary Mark Harper, and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk.
Tech Secretary Michelle Donelan lost to the Liberal Democrats, as did Education Secretary Gillian Keegan.
Former deputy prime minister Therese Coffey also lost to Labour in Suffolk Coastal, while former cabinet minister Robert Buckland also lost to Labour in Swindon.
Secretary of State for Wales David Davies also lost to Labour in Monmouthshire by more than 3,000 votes, and former cabinet minister Liam Fox lost in North Somerset to Labour, having been an MP since 1992.
Attorney General Victoria Prentis also lost to Labour in Banbury, and former party chair Greg Hands lost by only 152 votes in Chelsea and Fulham.
David Cameron's former constituency of Witney was among the Liberal Democrats' gains, ousting Solicitor General Robert Courts by around 3,500 votes.
Speaking from his constituency count in Richmond and Northallerton earlier this morning, Suank conceded defeat to Keir Starmer and the Labour Party, and apologised to candidates who had lost their contests.
He said: "To the many good, hardworking Conservative candidates who lost tonight despite their tireless efforts, their local record of deliver and their dedication to their communities, I am sorry.”
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