Overview

A deeply personal account of life as a carer and a call to support those who care for others'Ed Davey wants to rewrite British politics – not with the language of crisis, but that of care. … He offers something rare – moral clarity rooted in lived experience.' Guardian 'Caring is how we know we’re alive. The good in all of us has been shaped by care. Hold a mirror up to that, and we’ll realise our potential.' Care is the thread that runs through Ed’s life. Aged only four, Ed lost his father. When his mother also became ill with cancer, Ed and his brothers nursed her at home until she died when Ed was just 15. That formative experience was one of the main inspirations in seeking election, and with it the opportunity to take action. Now, he and his wife care for their son John, who has severe physical and learning disabilities, as well as raising their younger daughter. So Ed has real knowledge of the emotional, physical and financial challenges faced by legions of carers in Britain today. Why I Care is both a deeply personal story, drawing on Ed’s own experiences, and a book that reflects the stories of people everywhere to offer a vision of change. Shedding light on the often-invisible world of carers, he calls for society, our government and our institutions to recognise, support, and lift up the silent carers who form the backbone of our communities. This isn’t just Ed’s story. It's the story of millions.

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9780008757915

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Reviews

'Ed Davey is living proof that sometimes the personal and the political can mix in a way that benefits society as a whole.' Alastair Campbell ‘Why I Care is a heartfelt and emotional read in which Ed shares his own moving journey, alongside the inspiring stories of others. A powerful, important book that will change perceptions.’ Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE ‘A profoundly moving and essential read. With deep compassion and personal insight, Ed shines a light on the unsung heroes of our society — carers. This book is a heartfelt call to action, demanding we value, respect, and support those who give so much.’ Carol Vorderman ‘The British public believe Ed Davey is the most authentic of politicians: here’s why.’ Dan Snow 'It’s the role no one wants, or expects, to play. Yet millions fulfill it with little or no support, either financial or moral. Who cares for the carers? Sir Ed Davey has a powerful voice, and here he is using it in the best way possible; not as political leader but as carer. It should be on the desk of every politician in Westminster.' John Suchet 'A remarkable book, Why I Care is a heartwrenching account of the joys of caring for a disabled loved one and the nightmare of battling with the bureaucracy of the benefits system.' Sunday Times 'The title has a literal meaning that transforms this book into a sincere, pragmatic and powerful analysis of one of the most urgent dilemmas facing our country today. … Davey’s optimism and his pure love for his family, his obviously sincere concern, shines from his writing.' Telegraph 'Every morning at 6am, Sir Ed wakes up his severely disabled 17-year-old son, John, then cleans his teeth, bathes him and gives him his morning massage. In Why I Care, he frames this both an act of love and a foundational political insight.' Guardian ‘Among the most compelling, moving pieces of political prose I have read in a very long time.’ John Harris, Guardian

'Ed Davey is living proof that sometimes the personal and the political can mix in a way that benefits society as a whole.' Alastair Campbell ‘Why I Care is a heartfelt and emotional read in which Ed shares his own moving journey, alongside the inspiring stories of others. A powerful, important book that will change perceptions.’ Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE ‘A profoundly moving and essential read. With deep compassion and personal insight, Ed shines a light on the unsung heroes of our society — carers. This book is a heartfelt call to action, demanding we value, respect, and support those who give so much.’ Carol Vorderman ‘The British public believe Ed Davey is the most authentic of politicians: here’s why.’ Dan Snow 'It’s the role no one wants, or expects, to play. Yet millions fulfill it with little or no support, either financial or moral. Who cares for the carers? Sir Ed Davey has a powerful voice, and here he is using it in the best way possible; not as political leader but as carer. It should be on the desk of every politician in Westminster.' John Suchet 'A remarkable book, Why I Care is a heartwrenching account of the joys of caring for a disabled loved one and the nightmare of battling with the bureaucracy of the benefits system. … Davey writes with the authority of someone with more personal experience of care than anyone in the House of Commons.' Sunday Times 'A decent man who has written a great autobiography.' Alice Thomson, The Times 'The title has a literal meaning that transforms this book into a sincere, pragmatic and powerful analysis of one of the most urgent dilemmas facing our country today. … Davey’s optimism and his pure love for his family, his obviously sincere concern for the plight of others in the same situation, shines from his writing.' Telegraph 'Absolutely fascinating and moving in equal measure.' Jane Garvey and Fi Glover, Times Radio

'Ed Davey is living proof that sometimes the personal and the political can mix in a way that benefits society as a whole.' Alastair Campbell ‘Why I Care is a heartfelt and emotional read in which Ed shares his own moving journey, alongside the inspiring stories of others. A powerful, important book that will change perceptions.’ Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE ‘A profoundly moving and essential read. With deep compassion and personal insight, Ed shines a light on the unsung heroes of our society — carers. This book is a heartfelt call to action, demanding we value, respect, and support those who give so much.’ Carol Vorderman ‘The British public believe Ed Davey is the most authentic of politicians: here’s why.’ Dan Snow 'It’s the role no one wants, or expects, to play. Yet millions fulfill it with little or no support, either financial or moral. Who cares for the carers? Sir Ed Davey has a powerful voice, and here he is using it in the best way possible; not as political leader but as carer. It should be on the desk of every politician in Westminster.' John Suchet 'A remarkable book, Why I Care is a heartwrenching account of the joys of caring for a disabled loved one and the nightmare of battling with the bureaucracy of the benefits system. … Davey writes with the authority of someone with more personal experience of care than anyone in the House of Commons.' Sunday Times 'A decent man who has written a great autobiography.' Alice Thomson, The Times

'Ed Davey is living proof that sometimes the personal and the political can mix in a way that benefits society as a whole.' Alastair Campbell ‘Why I Care is a heartfelt and emotional read in which Ed shares his own moving journey, alongside the inspiring stories of others. A powerful, important book that will change perceptions.’ Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE ‘A profoundly moving and essential read. With deep compassion and personal insight, Ed shines a light on the unsung heroes of our society — carers. This book is a heartfelt call to action, demanding we value, respect, and support those who give so much.’ Carol Vorderman ‘The British public believe Ed Davey is the most authentic of politicians: here’s why.’ Dan Snow 'It’s the role no one wants, or expects, to play. Yet millions fulfill it with little or no support, either financial or moral. Who cares for the carers? Sir Ed Davey has a powerful voice, and here he is using it in the best way possible; not as political leader but as carer. It should be on the desk of every politician in Westminster.' John Suchet 'A decent man who has written a great autobiography.' Alice Thomson, The Times

About Ed Davey's care journey… ‘[Davey] is unusually open and approachable, guileless. … He tells [his] story matter-of-factly, but it’s full of searingly sad details.’ The Guardian ‘[Davey] has overcome the most astonishing series of setbacks. … but he doesn’t feel unfortunate. He just wants the Liberal Democrats to become the voice for carers and the NHS. … For him, politics really is personal.’ The Times ‘As a constituency MP, Davey had helped many families with disabled children fight for access to care, particularly with education, health and care plans, and so when it came to getting support for his son John he assumed his experience … would make it easier.’ The Sunday Times

Author Information

Sir Ed Davey MP has been the leader of the Liberal Democrats since 2020, having acted in the position from 2019 to 2020. He has been MP for Kingston and Surbiton since 2017, having previously held the role from 1997 until 2015. He was born in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and is married with two children.

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