Steve Darling | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of Parliament forTorbay | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Kevin Foster |
| Majority | 5,349 (11.6%) |
| Liberal Democrat spokesperson onWork and Pensions | |
| Assumed office October 2024 | |
| Leader | Ed Davey |
| Preceded by | Wendy Chamberlain |
| Member ofTorbay Council[a] for Barton with Watcombe Watcombe (2003–2019) Shiphay (1995–2003) | |
| Assumed office 8 May 1995 | |
| Leader of Torbay Council | |
| In office 28 May 2019 – 16 May 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Office established[b] |
| Succeeded by | David Thomas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Stephen Matthew Darling 1969 (age 56–57) Birmingham, England |
| Party | Liberal Democrats |
Stephen Matthew Darling[2] (born 1969) is a BritishLiberal Democrat politician who has served asMember of Parliament (MP) forTorbay since 2024. A member ofTorbay Council since 1995, he also served as the council's leader from 2019 to 2023. Darling is registered blind and uses a guide dog named Jennie.
Darling was first elected toTorbay Borough Council in 1995 for the ward of Shiphay.[3] When the council became aunitary authority asTorbay Council in 1998, Darling was re-elected as a councillor for Shiphay in 1997 and 2000.[4] He represented the ward of Watcombe following the reorganisation of ward boundaries in 2003,[5] and has represented Barton with Watcombe since a further change in ward boundaries in 2019.[6] Darling served as the leader of Torbay Council from 28 May 2019 to 16 May 2023.[7][8]
Darling's mentor wasAdrian Sanders, Torbay MP from 1997 to 2015. Darling was employed in Sanders's constituency office as a caseworker, and later as a senior caseworker, during Sanders's time in office.
In 2024, Darling was selected as theLiberal Democrat candidate for the constituency ofTorbay at the2024 United Kingdom general election.[9] At the general election, Darling gained the seat from Foster, winning with a majority of 5,349.[10]
In 1969, Darling was given up for adoption inBirmingham at three months old, and moved toTorquay in Devon at the age of 18 months. He traced his birth family in the 2000s and discovered that they lived nearby in South Devon.[11][12]
Darling hasStargardt disease, a genetic eye condition that causes his vision to be "a bit like looking through frosted glass". He is aided by hisguide dog Jennie, who is three-quartersGolden Retriever and one-quarterLabrador.[13] He is one of at least threedisabled MPs who were first elected in 2024, alongside Labour MPsMarie Tidball andJen Craft.[14]
In September 2023, Jennie was attacked by anXL Bully dog inTorbay and recovered from the attack.[15] She is not the first guide dog to serve in Westminster, asHouse of Lords membersBaron Blunkett andBaron Holmes of Richmond also use guide dogs in the chamber.[16]
Darling's wife, Mandy, is also registered blind and has served as a Torbay councillor.[17] They have two sons.[18]
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forTorbay 2024–present | Incumbent |
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