Tim Farron’s resignation as the leader of the Liberal Democrats will spark a contest between the party’s 12 MPs – several of whom lost seats in 2015 and have only just returned to parliament. These are the early favourites to replace him.

Jo Swinson

A rising star in the party until she was ejected from parliament in 2015, Swinson defeated her SNP rival with a huge swing. Electing Swinson, a former equalities minister, as leader would send a signal about the progressive policies of a party which was embarrassed by its 2015 parliamentary party consisting solely of white men. She is likely to be a strong favourite with the membership too, renowned for her winning playlists as DJ at the annual Lib Dem disco.

Vince Cable

Vince Cable. Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

The party’s most recognisable MP after Nick Clegg lost his Sheffield Hallam seat is back in parliament after winning his old seat in Twickenham and might fancy finally taking the top job. Cable’s vast experience might be attractive to MPs who will see their key job in the next parliament as being rigorous scrutiny of the Brexit negotiations. However, he is 74 and his prominence in the coalition government may count against him with the electorate, particularly in Labour seats.

Ed Davey

Ed Davey. Photograph: Felix Clay/The Guardian

Another returnee from the coalition years, Davey won back his former seat in Kingston and Surbiton. He served as energy and climate change secretary and has been an outspoken voice on environmental issues. However, he will also come with the baggage of having played a prominent role in the 2010 coalition.

Tom Brake

Tom Brake. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian

An MP since 1997, Brake has been an influential voice in the parliamentary party in the past two years, particularly on foreign policy. He has a wealth of experience in parliament, but apart from a short stint as deputy leader of the House of Commons, he is not closely associated with the coalition government. However, his seat of Carshalton and Wallington is always a tough marginal to fight at elections, hardly desirable for a party leader.

Norman Lamb

Norman Lamb. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian

Lamb was Farron’s rival for the leadership in 2015 and has been a key campaigner on mental health and the NHS over the past two years in parliament, which has won him much acclaim from MPs across the house. Were the party to elect Lamb, it would signal a change of direction on Europe – he did not vote against the triggering of article 50 and has said the party’s job should be to fight for membership of the single market rather than a rerun of the referendum.