A “DEVESTATED” Jo Swinson says she has no regrets in the aftermath of a disastrous election for the LibDems.
The Scot stood down after losing her East Dunbartonshire seat to the SNP in a night when her party secured just 11 MPs in the UK overall.
In a speech in central London following a dismal night for her party, Swinson said she had been "devastated" by the election results. But she insisted she did not "regret trying" to be the "unapologetic voice of Remain" and "giving people the chance to choose to stop Brexit".
Swinson said she would continue to be involved with the party that she has been campaigning for since she was a teenager.
WATCH: Swinson criticises waves of 'nationalism' as she loses seat
"Though I won't be your leader, I will be walking alongside you," the LibDem said. "We will reflect, regroup and refresh."
She warned that nationalism was “resurgent” both in Scotland and England and urged the party to "foster hope".
After the LibDem made a similar statement earlier, SNP MP Joanna Cherry tweeted: “Jo Swinson’s lazy comparison of the progressive nationalism of @theSNP with Boris Johnson’s little Englanderism is the sort of sloppy irrational thinking that’s lost her her seat & no doubt the leadership of her party.”
WATCH: Nicola Sturgeon's brilliant reaction to SNP winning Swinson's seat
Continuing her speech in the capital, Swinson added: "All of us who share an alternative vision for society have a responsibility to learn from these results and find new answers.
"Next week is the shortest day - we will see more light in the future."
She said that "smashing the glass ceiling" by becoming the party's first female leader had meant "a lot of broken glass comes down on your head".
An emotional Swinson said: "I'm proud to be the first woman to lead the Liberal Democrats and I'm even more proud that I will not be the last.”
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