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.”

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.”

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.

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.