Davey shares his experience of being a carer for his severely disabled son John and caring for his mother when she fell ill with cancer during an election broadcast this evening.

Davey said: ‘Caring is why I got into politics. It isn't just my story, it is the story of millions, caring for each other, dealing with tough times, and keeping going with love. 

‘Looking after my mum when she fell ill and now my son, I know that the challenges that millions of carers across the country face are immense.

‘The Liberal Democrats will be the voice of carers every day, fighting their corner in Parliament. I am proud that we will be putting unpaid carers at the very heart of the Liberal Democrat manifesto.'

The Lib Dems claim to be the only political party putting social care at the heart of their campaign with a chapter devoted to the sector in its manifesto.

The party has made a number of policy announcement on health and social care, including: giving everyone the right to see their GP within seven days or 24 hours if urgent; increasing the number of full-time equivalent GPs by 8,000; introducing a Carer's Minimum Wage; increasing the Carer's Allowance; and bringing in a statutory guarantee of regular respite breaks for unpaid carers.

Other flagship policies include free NHS dental check-ups for children and young mothers, investing £2.7bn in providing free personal care and making access to urgent cancer care within 62 weeks a legal right.