Ms Swinson, who lost her East Dunbartonshire seat to the Scottish Nationalists on Thursday, is facing a backlash over her “unilateral decision” to insist on an early poll.
One former MP said: “It was the worst tactical error by a politician in recent times. It was Jo’s decision alone to go for a snap election, she didn’t even consult the MPs.”
According to sources, Ms Swinson phoned the SNP’s former Europe spokesman in Westminster, Stephen Gethins, to make a pact to force the election. The Tories had been demanding one to unblock Brexit but Jeremy Corbyn and Labour had resisted.
“She announced it to our equivalent of a shadow cabinet in Parliament and we were shocked,” a senior figure said.
Former leaders Vince Cable, Tim Farron and Tory defector Philip Lee begged her to change her mind.
“They said it was a huge tactical mistake, but Jo insisted and said the deal had been done.” One MP who defected to the Lib Dems said several candidates needed time to bed in to seats which were winnable.
Ms Swinson stepped down after being turfed out of Parliament and her party ending up with one less seat in Parliament, down to just 11.
One senior figure said: “The internal polling said we would win 80 to 100 seats. That’s why she went for it but nobody took into account the Brexit Party standing down in the Conservative seats.”
Once the campaign got under way it also became clear to senior figures that their leader “was just not up to it”.
