Emily Gasson is widely recognized as the wife of Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, but she has also built her own career as a social housing lawyer and councillor in Kingston upon Thames. Known professionally as Emily Davey, she combines legal expertise with public service while managing life as a mother, a carer, and someone living with multiple sclerosis. Emily Gasson story reflects a balance of professional achievement, political involvement, and personal resilience.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Family
Emily Jane Gasson was born in 1970. She was raised in an environment that valued learning and a commitment to community service. Her brother, journalist Christopher Gasson, has written about her from time to time, giving small insights into her upbringing.
In 2005 she married Ed Davey, then an up-and-coming Member of Parliament for the Liberal Democrats. They first met while working together on housing policy for the party. Their marriage has been shaped by shared values, political work, and the joint responsibility of caring for their children.
Marriage and Children
Together they have two children, John, born in 2007, and Ellie, born a few years afterwards. John lives with a complex neurological condition that impacts both his movement and speech. Caring for him is a 24-hour job, so both parents take on the role of full-time carers as well as their professional responsibilities.
This experience has strongly influenced Emily’s public voice. She knows first-hand how challenging life can be for families with disabled children, and she has spoken up for more recognition, better support, and fairer services for carers.
Living with Multiple Sclerosis
Emily Gasson also manages her own health challenges. Around 2012, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition that can cause fatigue, relapses, and mobility problems. The lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic made her symptoms worse.
In 2022, she decided to speak publicly about her MS. She explained that she wanted to highlight the experiences of carers who also live with disabilities. By being open about her condition, she added a genuine and personal perspective to her work and advocacy.
Career in Housing Law
Before her political career, Emily worked as a housing lawyer. She advised housing associations and local councils, specialising in tenants’ rights, accessibility, and social housing. She believed that secure housing was essential for fairness and dignity.
She still draws on this expertise in her political work, through consultancy, training, and voluntary roles, including time with South West London Law Centres. Her background has given her strong credibility in debates about housing, regeneration, and community planning.
Read More | Elaine Boeheim
Political Path
Emily’s political career started with the Liberal Democrats, standing as their candidate for the North Dorset seat in the 2005 general election. She didn’t win, but it marked her entry into national politics.
A decade later, in 2016, she was placed second on the Liberal Democrat list for the London Assembly elections. She didn’t get a seat, but her position on the list showed the recognition she had within the party.
Councillor for Norbiton Ward
Her biggest success came locally. In 2018, Emily was elected councillor for Norbiton Ward in Kingston upon Thames, winning more votes than any other candidate. She was re-elected in 2022.
In her role as councillor, she has prioritised housing issues and championed the interests of vulnerable residents. Her legal background has been especially valuable in shaping policies on housing allocation, estate renewal, and disability access.
One of her major responsibilities is the Cambridge Road Estate regeneration, the borough’s largest redevelopment project. It promises thousands of new homes and an increase in council housing. The project has been controversial, with concerns about speed, rehousing, and affordability. Emily’s role has been to navigate these challenges and find a balance between financial demands and residents’ needs.
Championing Carers and Disability Rights
Emily’s personal experience as both a carer and someone living with MS has made her a natural advocate for carers and disabled people. She and Ed have spoken openly about the struggles carers face and the need for better support, funding, and respite services.
In the 2024 general election, the Davey family highlighted care and caregiving as central themes of the Liberal Democrat campaign. Emily’s willingness to share her story resonated with many families across the country who often feel overlooked.
Partnerships and Collaboration
Throughout her career, Emily has worked closely with housing associations, legal colleagues, and local government teams. As a councillor, she collaborates with fellow representatives, party activists, and policy experts to improve housing outcomes.
Her closest collaborator is, of course, her husband Ed. While he leads the Liberal Democrats nationally, Emily brings her legal knowledge and lived experience to the table. Together, they have become strong voices for carers and families affected by disability.
Public Scrutiny and Challenges
Emily has largely avoided personal controversy. The criticisms she faces usually relate to policy debates, particularly around estate regeneration and housing delivery. Some critics have raised concerns about timelines and affordability, but Emily has addressed these openly through council meetings and community discussions.
Her family has also been linked indirectly to wider political issues, such as her husband’s past ministerial role during the Post Office Horizon scandal, though that controversy has focused on him rather than her.
Strength and Impact
What stands out about Emily Gasson’s story is resilience. Few people manage a professional legal career, political responsibilities, full-time caregiving, and a chronic illness all at once. She has done so with steady determination and a sense of purpose.
Her work has expanded the conversation around carers, housing, and accessibility. She may not be a household name nationally, but her influence is clear in her local community, in her party’s policies, and in the families who see their struggles reflected in her voice.
Final Reflection
Emily Gasson’s life brings together law, politics, family, and health in a rare way. She is a lawyer driven by fairness, a councillor dedicated to solving housing problems, a mother and carer devoted to her children, and a woman with MS who continues to serve her community.
Emily Gasson story shows how strength often comes from facing challenges head-on. It is not about perfection but about persistence, compassion, and using personal experiences to make public life better for others.