The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey has promised to be "the voice of nine million carers" in his first speech as leader to his party’s annual conference.
Speaking via video link, he pledged to "stand up for carers", recollecting his experience as a teenager caring for his mother who had bone cancer.
He also spoke of his disabled son: "John is 12, he can't walk by himself, he was nine when he first managed to say 'Daddy'. John needs 24/7 care - and probably always will. So let me say this, to all of you who need care... I understand what you're going through and I promise you this: I will be your voice. I will be the voice of the nine million carers in our country."