Liberal Democrat conference: Sir Ed Davey pledges to be champion for carers in emotional speech
Sir Ed Davey says “care and carers must not be forgotten and ignored any longer” as he promises to speak up on the issue in parliament because “no one else will”.
Sir Ed Davey has pledged to be a champion for carers – as he put his party forward as the “responsible opposition”.
In a personal and emotional keynote speech in Brighton on Tuesday, the Lib Dem leader said “care and carers must not be forgotten and ignored any longer”.
“If the Liberal Democrats don’t offer that hope – if we don’t speak up for care in parliament – no one else will,” he said.
“Of course, everyone knows the Conservatives don’t care. But did you know, carers weren’t mentioned once in Labour’s election manifesto. And carers weren’t mentioned once in the King’s Speech either.
“But carers did feature in Keir Starmer’s first Prime Minister’s Questions. Because I made sure they would.”
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Sir Ed spoke about caring for his mother as a child while she had bone cancer, then looking after his “wonderful Nanna” who looked after him when both his parents died.
“Now, Emily and I, caring for our wonderful, smiley 16-year-old son John – with his challenges from his severe disabilities,” he said.
“Even at 5.30 in the morning, when he shouts ‘Daddy’ to wake me up, it’s a blessing – given he was nine years old, when he was first able to say ‘Daddy’.
“But alongside the fun and the blessings, I have to tell you, caring for your family can be tough. Just dealing with whatever comes each day. Making plans that too often fall through.
“As millions of people across our country know, a carer’s life is often exhausting.”
There was nothing subtle about this victory rally. The smiling faces of 71 Lib Dem MPs parading on stage, bobbing along to ABBA as their leader Sir Ed Davey appeared for his keynote speech. To be honest, it was hard not to bob along.
It’s no surprise this was a victory lap: the 2024 election was the Lib Dem’s best ever result, they have nearly five times the number of MPs they had at last years party conference.
But going into this speech there were plenty of questions about what the party really stand for. Are they a party who will attack Labour from the left or from the right? A party that will push the government or focus their attacks on the Conservatives?
If there’s one thing that was clear from Sir Ed’s speech it’s that he wants the Lib Dems to be the party of the NHS, and in particular the party of social care. “Care and carers cannot be ignored”, he said.
They’ve spotted an opportunity, Labour are still working out their plan for social care and Sir Ed’s own personal story about caring for his son and mother will resonate with many.
What was also interesting is that most of his harshest attacks are still squarely aimed at the Tories, not the Labour Party.
He accused the Conservatives of being “unfit for Opposition”. The Lib Dems took almost all their 72 seats off the Conservatives (including four cabinet ministers), what strikes me is their ambition to go further.
In many of the seats where the Lib Dems came second they were not a million miles behind the Conservatives. One of the main messages from Sir Ed today was a direct warning to the Tories that they want to be the party of Opposition.
During the election campaign the Lib Dems released a video showing Sir Ed and his wife Emily looking after their son, John, who has an undiagnosed neurological condition.
He said he was not prepared for “so many incredible, heartfelt responses” and told of a 15-year-old who has been looking after his mum, who has MS, since he was five.
The teenager, Joseph, said it was the “toughest but most rewarding feeling” and has “never really had his opportunity to be heard”.
Sir Ed said Joseph wrote: “I wanted you to know that people like yourself are everywhere. Quiet and silenced but we are still here.”
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Following four days of celebrations after the Lib Dems’ most successful election in a century, Sir Ed also called on the government to invest now “to make the NHS winterproof” with a new taskforce.
However, his spokesman could not provide any details on how it would work.
He also said the 72 Lib Dem MPs would be “the responsible opposition to this government” and will hold Labour to account “for the promises they made to clear up the Conservatives’ mess”.
Sir Ed’s spokesman said the party will continue to focus on winning local elections and is aiming to take more Conservative seats at the next election by focusing on local needs and concerns.
Sir Ed became known during the election campaign for his stunts, which continued during the conference, with him entering on a jet ski, playing beach volleyball, and building a stile.
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However, he revealed in his speech that health and safety stopped him from “putting my hand up a cow’s behind or wing walking on a biplane”.
The spokesman said the cow idea had been seriously considered but did not go ahead due to health and safety concerns for both the cow and Sir Ed.
