Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has invited Prime Minister Andy Burnham to work across party lines to reform England's social care system, describing the issue as the "key test" of whether politics can deliver meaningful change through cooperation.
In a message published on X alongside a letter addressed to Mr Burnham, Sir Ed said:
"If we are ever going to fix social care, we need to work across party lines.
I've invited Andy Burnham to sit down once he becomes Prime Minister, in hopes of finally solving this crisis which takes such a toll on families, our NHS and our economy. There is no time to waste."
In his letter, Sir Ed congratulated Mr Burnham on returning to the House of Commons and welcomed the Prime Minister's stated commitment to working constructively with others.
He wrote:
"You frequently spoke in the campaign about the need to deliver change by working constructively with others. It is a sentiment I agree with – and I hope it is something you will make good on."
Sir Ed argued that social care should be the first major test of that commitment, describing the current system as unsustainable for patients, families, councils and the NHS.
He highlighted the impact on hospitals, writing that around 14,000 people each day are unable to leave hospital because appropriate care is not available, while many elderly and disabled people struggle to access the support they need.
The Liberal Democrat leader also criticised previous attempts to reform the system, arguing that promised cross-party discussions had failed to deliver meaningful progress and that existing review processes would take too long to produce change.
A personal section of the letter reflected on the experiences that have shaped both politicians' views on care.
Sir Ed acknowledged Mr Burnham's previous comments about the care received by his late grandmother, before sharing his own family's experiences caring for his mother during her battle with cancer and, more recently, his son John, who has a neurological condition.
He wrote that one of the greatest worries for carers is who will look after loved ones in the future, adding:
"It's an anxiety for so many carers I meet – I'm sure you'll agree we should do better by them."
Concluding the letter, Sir Ed invited the Prime Minister to meet with him to discuss how the parties could work together to deliver long-term reform.
"I would welcome the chance to sit down and discuss how we can finally change things – and to work together across party lines to fix social care."
The letter follows similar calls from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who has also written to the Prime Minister offering to work with the Government on social care reform, while setting out conditions for Conservative support.
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