Ed Davey | Why I Care and Why Care Matters
Thu 23 Apr 2026 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Millions of people in Britain are carers, yet their vital work often goes unseen. In his deeply personal and powerfully told memoir Why I Care – and Why Care Matters, Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, brings the hidden world of caring into sharp focus.
Drawing on his own experiences as a son who cared for his terminally ill parents, and as a father caring for a child with severe disabilities, Ed weaves moving personal stories with testimony from carers across the country. The result is an honest exploration of the emotional, physical and financial realities of caring, and a compelling account of how these experiences have shaped his values, politics and sense of justice. This is both an intimate life story and a call to recognise and value the carers who form the backbone of our society. Join Ed Davey for a thoughtful, humane and urgent conversation about care, responsibility and compassion.
Chaired by writer, journalist, and campaigner Melissa Benn.
Venue: Cambridge Union, TTP Stage
Duration: 1 hour
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Author Biography
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.
Chair Biography
Melissa Benn is a writer, journalist, and campaigner. As a freelance writer, her essays and journalism have appeared in a wide range of publications, including The Independent, The Times, Public Finance, Marxism Today, The London Review of Books, Cosmopolitan, and Public Finance. She is a regular contributor to The Guardian and New Statesman. She has published eight books, including two novels.
