It’s been quite the defeat for the Conservatives who have seen the worst performance at a general election in history, losing an astonishing 250 seats across the UK. The now-former prime minister Rishi Sunak managed to retain his own seat in Richmond and Northallerton but many other high-profile Tories and cabinet ministers are no longer MPs. So far, 44 Tory ministers have lost their seats, including 12 cabinet ministers.

Some of these MPs had  announced that they would not be standing again when the election was announced just over six weeks ago, including Michael Gove, Chris Heaton-Harris and Alister Jack.

Even though he didn’t serve in a ministerial role, Jacob Rees Mogg was one of the most high-profile backbenchers in the Conservatives – and he lost his seat to Labour.

Several senior Tories were re-elected but with much lower majorities. The former chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, managed to keep his Godalming and Ash seat from the challenge of the Liberal Democrats by just 891 votes. Kemi Badenoch, business secretary and minister for women and equalities, kept her Essex North West seat but with a significantly reduced majority of 2610 votes.

Here, we take a look at all the Tory cabinet ministers who have lost their seats in this general election.

Liz Truss

Majority in 2019: 26,195

In perhaps the biggest surprise loss of the night, former prime minister Liz Truss lost her South West Norfolk constituency seat to Labour by 630 votes – having previously held a majority of 24,180. She did not give a concession speech but did speak to the BBC later on in the night and said the Tories “did not do enough” in 14 years and that she had “a lot to think about” when asked about whether she would stay in politics.

Penny Mordaunt

Majority in 2019: 15,780

One of the potential successors to Rishi Sunak for the Tory leadership, Penny Mordaunt – who served as leader of the Commons – has also faced defeat in her Portsmouth North seat to Labour. Speaking to ITV after the result was declared, Mordaunt said she was “filled with gratitude” for the opportunities she has had over the last 14 years. “I want to say a big thank you to everyone in Portsmouth North for having me as their MP for so long and for all the things that we did together.”

Grant Shapps

Majority in 2019: 10,955

After 19 years as the MP for Welwyn Hatfield in Hertfordshire, the former defence secretary (and one of the most high-profile figures in the cabinet) lost his seat to Labour. On the night, he said the public were fed-up with the party’s “endless political soap opera” and that “the people do not vote for divided parties”.

Gillian Keegan

Majority in 2019: 21,490

The former education secretary lost to the Lib Dems in her Chichester seat – a seat which the Tories had held for a century. She was the first Tory cabinet minister of the evening to lose her seat.

Lucy Frazer

Majority in 2019: 11,490

Having served as the MP for Ely and East Cambridgeshire since 2005, the former culture secretary lost her seat to the Lib Dems’ Charlotte Cane.

Alex Chalk

Majority in 2019: 981

As expected, the former justice secretary lost his seat in Cheltenham to the Lib Dems. “I think we also have to recognise we’ve been in power for 14 years and there are seasons in politics and the refrain of ‘it’s time for change’ is one of the most powerful messages in politics,” Chalk said after the result was declared.

Mark Harper

Majority in 2019: 15,869

In a very close vote, the former transport secretary lost his seat to Labour’s Matt Bishop by around 300 votes. Harper had represented the Forest of Dean constituency since 2005 and was a close ally of Rishi Sunak.

David TC Davies

Majority in 2019: 26,160

The Conservatives faced a complete wipe out in Wales with no Tory seats remaining. The former Welsh secretary David TC Davies was a notable loss, facing defeat in Monmouth to Labour’s Catherine Fookes after serving as MP for the constituency since 2005.

Simon Hart

Majority in 2019: 7,745

Part of the huge Tory losses in Wales, the chief whip Simon Hart lost to Plaid Cymru in Caerfyrddin, coming third in the constituency behind the winning party and Labour.

Victoria Prentis

Majority in 2019: 34,148

The Conservatives lost all four of their seats in Oxfordshire, including the seat of the former attorney general Victoria Prentis. Her seat of Banbury had been won by a Conservative MP at every general election since 1922 but has now been gained by Labour for the first time in history.

Johnny Mercer

Majority in 2019: 12,897

The former veterans minister Johnny Mercer lost to Labour in his seat of Plymouth Moor View. Plymouth will now by fully represented by Labour MPs.

Michelle Donelan

Majority in 2019: 11,288

The secretary of state for science, innovation and technology faced defeat in her constituency of Melksham and Devizes, despite the exit poll predicting that she would be safe. She had been Chippenham’s MP from 2015 to 2024, but Donelan chose to stand in the new seat of Melksham and Devizes at this general election.

Image: Getty