Why I Care: And why care matters

A deeply personal account of life as a carer and a call to support those who care for others

‘For Ed Davey, politics really is personal’ The Times

'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.

© 2025 HarperNorth (Audiobook): 9780008757939

Release date

Audiobook: 22 May 2025