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Image source, Reuters

As the dust settles after the general election, many men and women who once trod the corridors of power as Members of Parliament are facing up to life after defeat.

No longer able to influence the policies and laws of their country, these former members of the House of Commons now have to find something else to occupy their time.

But what's it like after losing your parliamentary seat?

The loss of Ed Balls on Thursday leaves Labour's economic policy in limbo. The party's direction in this area is likely to be the biggest bone of contention in the leadership election to come.

Today might not be the best time to offer analysis of polling, given the doldrums into which the polling industry has plunged after their failures on Thursday. Nonetheless, on why we voted the way we did does have some interesting facts contained within it which Labour leadership contenders will be poring over. Chief among them are the differing attitudes of the different parties' supporters towards austerity past and future.

UKIP chairman Steve Crowther said in a statement: "As promised Nigel Farage tendered his official resignation as leader of UKIP to the NEC. This offer was unanimously rejected by the NEC members who produced overwhelming evidence that the UKIP membership did not want Nigel to go.

"He has therefore been persuaded by the NEC to withdraw his resignation and remains leader of UKIP," the chairman added.

Nigel Farage is to stay on as leader of UKIP after his resignation was rejected unanimously by the party.

Image source, AP

The SNP’s tartan army has just arrived at Westminster after their stunning election victory. But what real influence will they have? The answer may be quite a bit.

Their aim is to have the status that the Liberal Democrats had in the 2005-2010 Parliament. Like them then, they are now the third largest party at Westminster. That means David Cameron is likely to face two questions a week from the SNP’s Parliamentary leader Angus Robertson at Prime Minister’s Questions.

They can also look forward to chairing two Commons committees. The obvious choice would be the Scottish Affairs Committee. If so that could lead to an explosive mix as most of the others on it will be Conservative MPs due to their numbers in Parliament.

Crucially, too, it means they will have two members on the Liaison Committee - another chance to quiz the PM, and at greater length than at Prime Minister’s Questions.

As the third party, the SNP will also be part of what's known in Westminster as the “usual channels”: the MPs who know a fortnight in advance what will be debated in the Commons.

All that has to be agreed with the Speaker of the Commons, but it’s hard to see how it could be denied.

Then there’s the money. The taxpayer pays to fund the work of political parties at Westminster. The formula is based on the number of MPs a party has and the number of votes they won at the election. For the SNP with 56 MPs and just under one and a half million votes, that works out at £1.7m a year.

Some less familiar faces to many possibly. From top, Stephen Crabb, Greg Hands and David Mundell.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

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Times columnist Daniel Finkelstein says Labour have a "big dilemma" in choosing their next leader to re-build their party.

Panic over, we have word! Matt Hancock is safe and well. Resembling an episode of Stars in Their Eyes, he went in to Downing Street as business minister, but he re-emerges as Minister for Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (minister for efficiency & civil service reform).

David Mundell is appointed Scotland Office Secretary - a post previously held by Lib Dem Alistair Carmichael. Mr Mundell is the Conservatives' only MP in Scotland.

Image source, AFP

Among the new, smiling SNP faces outside Westminster a short time ago was Mhairi Black - pictured above with the white shirt and dark jacket - the 20-year-old student who ousted shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander. 

Greg Hands - until now a deputy chief whip - becomes the new chief secretary to the Treasury (a post previously held by Lib Dem Danny Alexander).