Few of us spare much thought for politicians when they lose elections. We focus on the winners, not the losers. The failed candidate, whether MP or councillor, steps away into history.

But politicians, believe it or not, are human and the impact of losing office can be devastating. At a stroke they are not only deprived of a living (if an MP) or an allowance (if a councillor) but also a sense of worth – and once they have gone they are rapidly forgotten. National and local politics are littered with promising careers cut short at the ballot box.