Not so much wiped out because of the Tory policies, more due to the fact that they got into bed with the tories in the first place. A huge number of Lib Dem votes came in ultra-safe Tory seats where voters realised a vote for Labour was pi$$ing in the wind, and used the chance to vote Lib Dem - or more accurately, to vote anti-Tory, which was the only perceived chance of upsetting a Tory stronghold. Then the alternative-to-the-Tories party got into bed with said Tories. Result - 1). some Lib Dem MPs actually got token jobs in Government (wonderful achievement, highlight of ther political careers, and ambitions (more or less) fulfilled; 2). death of the Lib Dem party as a trusted or viable alternative to anything.
No, it was in the interest of ambitious Lib Dem politicians. It did nothing particularly worthwhile for the country. They did 'achieve' delaying of the referendum for 5 years - we could have been through Brexit and safely out on the other side and moving forward by now if it hadn't been for the Lib Dems.
You'd just have had 50 more MPs trying to find ways to wriggle out of Brexit. Consensus with a lot of the politicians already there who hate the idea of implementing the democratic will of the electorate and leaving the EU certainly, but no help to the Brexit process whatever. They certainly wouldn't have helped anything, sorted anything, or been remotely useful.
Well, yes, as they're practically non-existent in the current corridors of power; they are not an active or significant part of the current shambles. The Monster Raving Loony party is blame free in much the same way. The Lib Dems did however delay the process; no referendum was part of the deal in 2010 - you can't deny that, no matter how you twist the facts. If it wasn't for them, Brexit could all be done and dusted by now.
perhaps in time for PMQs today? probably not Amber Rudd yet, but Sarah Wollaston, Heidi Allen, and Anna Soubry seem very likely.
With 11 onboard, the 'Independent Group' would have as many MPs at the LibDems