“Don’t let them see you cry,” is the kind advice from my Labour opponent. We’re standing in a small huddle; gathered around the Returning Officer as she briefs us on the votes counted in my former constituency of Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe. The worst has happened; I’ve lost my seat. To the Liberal Democrats. After four and a half years, and six weeks of the campaign, I’m about to lose my job on live TV.
When you’re losing, the count is gruesome. We began the night with our noses in front but quickly my lead disappeared. Hope fades, the mood shifts and all you can see is crusty knitted jumpers backslapping gleefully. One chap even provides a shoulder massage to the Lib Dem candidate to warm him up for his victory speech. In the end, I lose by 1,400 votes. Reform took 6,500.
