Ed Davey calls for emergency Health and Care Budget after record-breaking Liberal Democrat gains

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has called for an emergency Health and Care Budget before the end of July, in a speech following his party’s record breaking gains at the General Election.

The party said an emergency budget is urgently needed to increase investment in health and social care including through more GPs, NHS dentists and cancer nurses.

In a speech at his party’s HQ in London, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“Millions of people have voted for change and put their trust in us, so our job now is to stand up for them.

“We have won people’s trust by listening to their concerns and focusing on the things that matter most to them. Most of all that is saving the NHS and making sure everyone can get the care they need.

“We have put health and care at the heart of our campaign, and we will put it at the top of the agenda in this Parliament too. That starts with our campaign for an emergency health and care budget before the end of the month.

“Every Liberal Democrat MP will be a champion for the NHS and a voice for carers. We will fight to fix the health and care crisis, so that you can see a doctor or a dentist when you need to, and so your loved ones get the high-quality care they need.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

***CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY***

Let me start by saying an enormous thank you.

Thank you all  - for everything you’ve done to rebuild our party –

And get the Liberal Democrats winning again!

Millions of people have voted for change.

Many of them have voted Liberal Democrat for the first time.

With the power of the ballot in their hands, they’ve put their trust in us:

To stand up for them.

To be their local champions.

To fight for a fair deal.

Trust – the most powerful commodity in a democracy.

It is humbling. And it is hard-won.

We’ve seen how easily it can be lost.

So our job now is to keep that trust.

To honour that trust.

And to repay it in full.

We’ve won people’s trust by speaking to them.

By listening to their concerns.

And focusing on the things that matter most - to them.

Getting the economy back on track and ending the cost-of-living crisis.

Protecting our precious natural environment and stopping the sewage scandal.

And – most of all – saving the NHS and making sure everyone can get the care they need.   

I am so proud of the way we Liberal Democrats have put health and care at the heart of our campaign.

It’s personal for me, because I’ve been a carer for much of my life.

I know how rewarding it can be. How full of love.

But also how tough it can be. How relentless and exhausting.

And having met so many wonderful carers across our United Kingdom, I know it’s personal for millions of people too.

And so many of them have told me how grateful they are that we have brought caring out of the shadows and into the light.

We have put health and care at the heart of our campaign. 

And we’ll put it at the top of our agenda in the new Parliament too.

Starting with our campaign for an emergency health and care budget before the end of the month.

Every Liberal Democrat MP will be a champion for the NHS and local health services.

Every Liberal Democrat MP will be a voice for carers – care workers and family carers.

Every Liberal Democrat MP will fight to fix the health and care crisis –

So that you can see a doctor or a dentist when you need to.

And so your loved ones get the high-quality care they need, when and where they need it.

That is the fair deal you deserve.

That is the change the British people have voted for.

And that is what the Liberal Democrats will keep fighting for.

It won’t be easy. It won’t be quick.

So tell everyone – they can be part of the change, by joining us.

Joining the Liberal Democrats today!

The hard work starts now.

Let’s get to work. Thank you!