Ed Davey Launches Bid for Christmas No.1 Hit With “Love Is Enough”

EMBARGO: 22.30 WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER

Ed Davey has turned Ed Sleigh-Vey to take on Wham! and Mariah Carey in this year’s battle for the coveted Official UK Charts Christmas Number 1. 

Every year the UK’s biggest annual chart race sees a flurry of festive favourites flood back into the Official Charts, but it’s Bath Philarmonia’s Young Carers’ Choir feat. Ed Davey who are bidding to claim the top spot with the release of ‘Love is Enough’.

The charity Christmas song by Bath Philharmonia’s Young Carers’ Choir in support of the Carers Trust and the Bath Philharmonia has been written by six young carers and former young carers and is a tribute to the caring responsibilities of young carers and the bond they share with the people they care for. 

Hoping to emulate Christmas single icons like East17 and Michael Bublé, 'Love is Enough' is being released on Thursday 28 November. After a series of heart-warming stunts this year, Ed is thought to be the first ever politician to go for the top spot in the Christmas music charts. 

The recording is produced by Brian Rawling and Paul Meehan for Metrophonic Productions. The original writers of ‘Love is Enough’ met with other young carers from Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Dorset in Bath last month to record the song professionally with a full orchestra, 20 singers and the Liberal DemocratLeader.

The idea of a Christmas release was Ed Davey’s - inspired by his own time as a chorister when he was also a young carer as a teenager. Recently he was sent a recording of him singing a solo at a Christmas carol service with his choir in 1978 as a 13-year-old and after hearing ‘Love is Enough’ and the work of the amazing young carers with Bath Philharmonia, he asked if they would like to work together to release a single at Christmas for the Carers Trust and Bath Philarmonia.

All money raised from downloads and streams of the charity single will go to the Carers Trust and Bath Philarmonia. 

Ed Davey said:

“When I sang 'In the Bleak Mid-Winter' in my local church in 1978, neither I nor my brothers nor my mum fully appreciated how much our lives were all about to change. 

“For mum’s cancer was getting worse and I was becoming a young carer. The next two and a half years before my mother eventually died were extremely tough, but they were also full of love. When I heard the opening lyrics to ‘Love is Enough’ - “every second we have left is worth a thousand others” - they struck home and meant so much.

“It was a joy to spend time with this amazing group of young carers, to see their incredible talents, energy and love. With the wonderful Bath Philharmonia, they have created something that I’m sure will strike a chord not only with other young carers - often invisible in our communities - but also with all carers and families.

“I hope people listen to this song and download it and are as impressed as I am by the amazing talent of these young carers. I hope people take some time this Christmas to think about this amazing group of people who look after their loved ones from such an early age. This time of year is tough for all carers, particularly young ones - let's put them in the spotlight.”

Bath Philharmonia’s Music Director, Jason Thornton, said:
 
“At Bath Phil, we believe every young person has a story to tell, regardless of where they are on their musical journey. Our unique approach to co-creating music empowers young carers to amplify their voices and celebrates the incredible roles they play in caring for others.
 
“When creating Love is Enough, the young carers shared a profound message: love is everywhere, even when it’s taken for granted. They wanted to remind us all that, no matter who or where you are, there is always someone out there for you.
 
“Ed Davey, drawing on his own lived experience as a young carer, has shown these remarkable young people that they are seen, valued, and not alone. By downloading Love is Enough, you’ll help Bath Phil expand its work with isolated young carers across the UK, offering them the chance to share their stories and find hope through the transformative power of music.”

Carers Trust’s CEO, Kirsty McHugh, said:

“Christmas can be a difficult time for young carers. What should be a time of festive fun can, too often, be a time of hard work and stress. That’s why we’re delighted Sir Ed Davey has teamed up with Bath Phil and a talented team of young carers to share his singing skills. It’s so important at this time of year, not just to thank young carers, but also to focus attention on the incredible challenges young carers face and the support they need.

“Having a caring role can have a devastating impact on a young person’s education, mental health and future prospects. Carers Trust’s network of local carer services provide desperately-needed advice, opportunities and breaks for young carers around the country. Everyone who downloads or streams this song can help us to transform young carers’ lives.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Lib Dem Media Team: 020 4548 3828 / press@libdems.org.uk 

The single will be available to download from iTunes for 99p, with all proceeds going to Carers Trust and Bath Philharmonia, as well as to stream on other platforms https://slinky.to/LoveIsEnough 

Embargoed images are available here 

More information about the young carers

Bath Philharmonia Young Carers’ Choir included young carers from Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol & South Gloucestershire and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole.

Soloists came from Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol & South Gloucestershire, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole and Wiltshire.

YC support orgs were:

Bath and North East Somerset Carers’ Centre
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
Carers Support Centre (Bristol and South Gloucestershire)

Bath Philharmonia

For further information on Bath Philharmonia or to arrange an interview with a member of the musical team, contact Simone Homes on simone@bathphil.co.uk and 07525 857720.
 
Bath Philharmonia is a professional orchestra, based in Bath and touring South West England and the only orchestra in the UK to offer a year round programme of creative music workshops for Young Carers. The orchestra reaches over 15,000 people each year through a combination of concerts and projects in communities, with a specialism in working with Young Carers to help them build personal confidence and supportive relationships through creating and performing their own music. www.bathphil.co.uk

Carers Trust

If you are a young carer and need support, or if you know someone who is a young carer and needs support, please visit www.carers.org, and enter your postcode in the Get Support search engine to find support in your area.

For further information on Carers Trust or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson or a case study, contact Carers Trust Media & PR Manager Mark Chandler on mchandler@carers.org and 07712 427808.
 
To find your nearest local carer organisation for advice and support, visit www.carers.org