Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey comes to Salisbury

This is according to the Liberal Democrat leader Rt Hon‎ Sir Edward Davey, who came to Salisbury today, March 26, as part of the Liberal Democrat Wiltshire Council election campaign launch.

The MP for Kingston and Surbiton has spent the day travelling across the county to meet residents and discuss their points and issues, in the lead up to the local elections.

Speaking to the Journal in Macklin Road play park earlier today, Mr Davey said the party's stand up for carers campaign, a main topic he was discussing in the city, focussed on those "working in care homes and looking after people who are elderly or disabled, and those who do it unpaid".

He voiced his concerns however that the Government does not have social care as a priority in its agenda, even during the Covid-19 pandemic, adding: "We've been talking about social care for years and nothing has been done.

"Because the Conservatives have not done enough or done what they said, millions are going without the social care they need."

The MP revealed his party has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to try and discuss the issues further.

"We are in a social care crisis," Mr Davey added, with those involved in the care sector "forgotten".

He said: "There are unpaid carers who are without a break or respite care and that is a real problem across Wiltshire - there are tens of thousands of people who need more support who are not getting it."

After the meeting in the park, Mr Davey assured his campaigning in the Macklin Road and Highbury Avenue area would adhere to Covid-19 measures, including social distancing and wearing a mask.

Other Liberal Democrats taking part in campaigning included Victoria Charleston, parliamentary spokesperson for Salisbury and Salisbury City Council candidate, and Calne Councillor Ian Thorn, the leader of the Liberal Democrats Group on Wiltshire Council.

During his stop in Salisbury Mr Davey spoke with Cally Edwards, an NCT and private antenatal and postnatal teacher from the Chalke Valley area, to discuss the severe impact the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns have had on the mental health of parents, especially those becoming parents for the first time.

Speaking to the Journal, Cally said she has spent the Covid-19 pandemic conducting sessions with parents via Zoom: “When we went into a lockdown I thought I can give into this but I was not prepared to give up - I know how necessary this support is.”

Cally Edwards speaks with Lib Dem leader Ed Davey - Picture by Spencer Mulholland

Cally continued: “What I do isn't just about breast feeding, it is giving that support with mental health, depression, lack of sleep - we haven’t been able to help as often, but we’re trying to talk and just be there for people, as a talking point about parenting.”

Cally hoped her conversation with the politician could raise awareness about another “forgotten” group.

She said: “We’re really concerned as this is a huge group in society that is massively trying to get its voice heard. 

“The biggest impact on a child’s life will be these lockdowns, which have been pretty brutal, and these mums won’t get this time back, it is gone forever.

“We do everything we can to help and make sure their lives aren’t miserable, but this is a group who feel forgotten and isolated.

“People have said [our sessions are] phenomenal, but how can we reach others if they’re not online? 

"We want more opportunities for these groups, being a parent can be a struggle and without that opportunity, it is magnified.”

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