Member of Parliament
Steve Darling
Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Work and Pensions)
At a glanceSteve Darling is a Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, and has represented the seat for 2 years. They currently serve as Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Work and Pensions). They have cast 385 votes in Commons divisions (67% attendance), tabled 630 written questions and registered 7 financial interests.
Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 575 Commons divisions since the 2024 election; Steve Darling did not vote in 190. A rebellion is a vote against the way most of their own party voted; free votes, where no party line applies, are left out.
Party-loyalty figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Biography
He currently undertakes the role of Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Work and Pensions).
Current roles
- Work and Pensions Committee Committee since 28 Oct 2024
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Work and Pensions) Opposition post · Opposition Department since 18 Sep 2024
- Liberal Democrat Party since 4 Jul 2024
- Torbay Representation · Elected 1 time since 4 Jul 2024
Voting record
Voting alignment
Votes most like
-
Wendy Chamberlain
Liberal Democrat
99.7% · 291 of 292 shared votes
-
Chris Coghlan
Liberal Democrat
99.2% · 263 of 265 shared votes
-
Manuela Perteghella
Liberal Democrat
99.1% · 327 of 330 shared votes
-
Mr Lee Dillon
Liberal Democrat
99.0% · 306 of 309 shared votes
-
Helen Maguire
Liberal Democrat
99.0% · 302 of 305 shared votes
Votes least like
-
Dame Siobhain McDonagh
Labour
12.0% · 27 of 225 shared votes
-
Catherine West
Labour
12.3% · 30 of 243 shared votes
-
Nick Smith
Labour
13.3% · 41 of 308 shared votes
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Tahir Ali
Labour
13.3% · 39 of 293 shared votes
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Miatta Fahnbulleh
Labour (Co-op)
13.6% · 38 of 279 shared votes
Alignment figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Register of financial interests
From the official Register; shown as registered.
Donations and other support (including loans) for activities as an MP4
- Thomas Davy - £2,000.00 (registered 11 Jun 2026)
- Baby Care Domiciliary Care Ltd - £5,000.00 (registered 29 Apr 2026)
- Jerome Betts - £2,500.00 (registered 3 Mar 2026)
- Jerome Betts - £2,000.00 (registered 23 Oct 2025)
Gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources1
- National Liberal Club - £1,552.86 (registered 23 Sep 2024)
Visits outside the UK1
- International visit to Ukraine between 19 February 2026 and 25 February 2026 (registered 27 Mar 2026)
Miscellaneous1
- Member of Torquay Town Deal Board. This is an unpaid role. (registered 2 Aug 2024)
Written questions
Schools: Lead
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, who is the responsible body for ensuring lead testing happens in school buildings.
Awaiting an answer from the Department for Education.
Members: Correspondence
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Torbay sent on 22 and 27 April, reference SD16253.
Awaiting an answer from the Ministry of Defence.
Gaming Machines: Payment Methods
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with representatives of the adult gaming centre sector on enabling cashless payment systems; and whether she plans to bring forward related regula
Answer · 22 Jul 2026
The government has been clear that it will not look to make additional deregulatory changes to the adult gaming sector until further improvements are made on customer protections. Government officials meet regularly with the Gambling Commission and repres...
Gaming Machines: Prizes
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has had discussions with the adult gaming centre sector on raising the stakes and prizes cap; and what assessment she has made of the potential economic impact of
Answer · 22 Jul 2026
The government has been clear that it will not look to make additional deregulatory changes to the adult gaming sector until further improvements are made on customer protections. Government officials meet regularly with the Gambling Commission and repres...
Gaming Machines: Prizes
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has considered raising the stakes and prizes cap for adult gaming centres.
Answer · 22 Jul 2026
The government has been clear that it will not look to make additional deregulatory changes to the adult gaming sector until further improvements are made on customer protections. Government officials meet regularly with the Gambling Commission and repres...
Gaming Machines: Prizes
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to review the maximum stakes and prizes limits for Category B3 and C gaming machines in adult gaming centres.
Answer · 22 Jul 2026
The government has been clear that it will not look to make additional deregulatory changes to the adult gaming sector until further improvements are made on customer protections. Government officials meet regularly with the Gambling Commission and repres...
Universal Credit
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent progress his Department has made in the completion of the Universal Credit split payment impact assessment; and whether they plan to use split payments as the default mechanism for all joint
Answer · 22 Jul 2026
The Department is currently considering the policy design specification provided by the Scottish Government for its proposal to make split payments the default option for Universal Credit customers in Scotland. The Department has no plans to make split pa...
Assistance Animals: Travel
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her timetable is for the introduction of measures to simplify the movement of assistance dogs between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
Answer · 21 Jul 2026
Securing less burdensome arrangements for non-commercial pet travel to the EU, including for assistance dogs, remains a UK Government priority. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sa...
Early day motions
| 15 Jul 2026 | Torbay RNLI 160th anniversary | 10 sig. |
| 6 Jul 2026 | Religious freedom in sub-Saharan Africa | 21 sig. |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Work of physician associates and the Leng review | 12 sig. |
| 18 Jun 2026 | Sensory room at Upton St James Primary School | 7 sig. |
| 15 Jun 2026 | Lewy Body Society | 8 sig. |
| 9 Jun 2026 | 65th anniversary of the Princess Theatre | 7 sig. |
Speeches in the chamber
16 Jul 2026 Sir David Amess Summer Adjournment
It is poignant that we are having the Sir David Amess debate today, particularly in the light of the shocking murder of Ann Widdecombe only a week ago. Ann was a Devon resident, and although I may not have seen eye to eye with her politica…
16 Jul 2026 Local Government Reorganisation
This could be worse for Torbay unitary authority. However, it is a catastrophic carve-up for Devon, led by Exeter and Plymouth—both Labour councils—and driven forward by a Labour Minister, which will result in a rural rump in Devon. Can t…
14 Jul 2026 NHS Buildings: Extreme Heat
Torbay hospital is the third oldest estate that celebrates being part of the NHS. In heatwave conditions, the tower block is like an oven and that has a massive impact on patients, staff and even equipment. Does the Minister think it is ti…
14 Jul 2026 NHS Buildings: Extreme Heat
7. What plans his Department has to increase the level of resilience of NHS buildings to extreme heat.
13 Jul 2026 Local Government Reorganisation
Torbay council is the most deprived local authority in the south-west of England. I would welcome the Minister’s assurances that rearranging the deckchairs with this local reorganisation will not detract from regeneration, which is a core …
8 Jul 2026 Maritime and Coastguard Agency
In my discussions with coastguards in Torbay, they have shared the full spectrum of their activities. One of the most disturbing and harrowing is the recovery of dead bodies—not only where humans or pets may have gone over the edge of a cl…
8 Jul 2026 Defibrillators in Police Vehicles
I know timescales are tricky, but can the Minister provide some rough timescales on the different steps? I understand that the new national police force and procurement are a bit more distant, but can she tell us what timescales she is wo…
8 Jul 2026 Defibrillators in Police Vehicles
I thank the Minister for allowing me to quiz her further. Can she expand on that point? Is the pushback from the National Police Chiefs’ Council, from lower levels within policing or from Government Ministers? Anyone can use a defibrillato…
8 Jul 2026 Defibrillators in Police Vehicles
The police are so often the first on the scene. It ends up being a postcode lottery, whether it is because of communities are rural, coastal or more deprived. I say to the Minister that by getting defibrillators in the back of police respo…
8 Jul 2026 Defibrillators in Police Vehicles
The hon. Member makes a valuable point. Resuscitation Council UK highlights that if there is an intervention within three to five minutes, the chances of survival are between 50% and 70%. It really is all about timing and how we can signif…
8 Jul 2026 Defibrillators in Police Vehicles
I have raised that very issue with Devon and Cornwall constabulary. Following an awful incident, a grieving mother is trying to ensure that we have stab kits across the United Kingdom. As I am sure my hon. Friend has done, I have correspon…
8 Jul 2026 Defibrillators in Police Vehicles
I beg to move, That this House has considered defibrillators in police vehicles. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir John. I am delighted to have secured this debate on defibrillators in the back of police vehicles…
6 Jul 2026 Employment and Training
Growing the economy is one of the essential duties of the Government, and the levy is a key part of ensuring that productivity is part of that agenda. The levy gives the opportunity to grow core industries and infrastructure, and to change…
30 Jun 2026 Department for Work and Pensions
There are 96,000 civil servants working for the DWP; it is very much a leviathan. Most of those that I have come across are incredibly committed individuals who are professional and want to do the best for their community. What a sad thing…
29 Jun 2026 Topical Questions
I welcome the Government’s acceptance of a finding from the Liz Sayce review of carer’s allowance overpayments in respect of the underuse of waivers, given that the households concerned are often the most vulnerable in society. Has a revie…
29 Jun 2026 Unemployed Young People
In deprived coastal communities such as Torbay, the NHS and the Department for Work and Pensions can make up a significant part of the job offer, including entry-level jobs for young people. It was therefore disturbing to hear last week th…
9 Jun 2026 Healthwatch
The abolition of Healthwatch will see the NHS and the Government effectively marking their own homework. Can the Minister please give some assurances about how the Government will ensure that the voice of those with learning disabilities, …
9 Jun 2026 Healthwatch
8. If he will make it his policy to retain Healthwatch.
3 Jun 2026 Seasonal Hospitality Businesses in Coastal Areas
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Stuart. I congratulate the hon. Member for Isle of Wight East (Joe Robertson) on obtaining this important and illuminating debate. I look forward to the Minister’s comments. I was heart…
2 Jun 2026 Milburn Review: Interim Report
It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Oldham East and Saddleworth (Debbie Abrahams), who always has something of value to bring to the Chamber. There are 1 million youngsters not in employment, education or training; this has b…
Source: contributions on parliament.uk.
Full parliamentary career
Committee memberships
- Pension Schemes Bill 15 Jul 2025 – 11 Sep 2025
- Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill 12 Feb 2025 – 18 Mar 2025
- Employment Rights Bill 13 Nov 2024 – 16 Jan 2025
Expenses
Contact & offices
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Steve Darling, answered from official Parliament data.
Who is Steve Darling?
Steve Darling is a Member of Parliament representing Torbay in the House of Commons. See Steve Darling's official Parliament profile.
Which party does Steve Darling represent?
Steve Darling sits as Liberal Democrat. See Steve Darling's official Parliament profile.
Which constituency does Steve Darling represent?
Steve Darling is the Member of Parliament for Torbay. See Steve Darling's official Parliament profile.
How long has Steve Darling been an MP?
Steve Darling has served in the House of Commons for 2 years. See Steve Darling's official Parliament profile.
What registered interests are listed for Steve Darling?
Steve Darling has 7 entries in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. See Steve Darling's official Parliament profile.
Source: this MP's official Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.