Jennie has her arms crossed
2,637,578 'procedures' using animals were carried out in British laboratories throughout 2024. But experiments on animals cannot accurately predict whether new drugs will be safe for humans.
I discussed Herbie's law in Parliament today, which would phase out animal experiments in medical research.
A graphic which reads MS affects everyone differently. This week we're challenging assumptions about MS. Think you know MS? #MSThinkAgain
The Multiple Sclerosis Think Again survey reports that almost two thirds of respondents feel judged or treated differently because of their MS.
This week I tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament to support MS Awareness Week. Let's work together towards better understanding of the realities of MS
The Prime Minister is blaming Mandelson's appointment on the Foreign Office. Yet after the budget leaks we saw the head of the OBR resign due to an error by a member of his team.
I asked Keir Starmer yesterday what it would take for him to carry the can?
#Starmer #PrimeMinister #Mandelson
Steve's letter to Wes Streeting expressing concerns over the voluntary redundancy scheme at Torbay Hospital
Torbay Hospital has launched a voluntary redundancy scheme today. This news will no doubt alarm many staff members who feel pressure to leave their jobs, and will also heavily impact the quality of care received by patients.
I have written to Wes Streeting, expressing concerns about this.
Steve Darling MP riding on a tandem bike
Mid Devon Cycling Club are now a Limitless Hub, which means that they provide cycling opportunities for disabled people, regardless of age, impairment and ability.
It was lovely to visit the Club this weekend to get involved in their Inclusive Cycling Day to mark the club's new status.
Our current SEND system is broken and it is failing children each day. I attended the West of England School for Children with Little or No Sight in Exeter myself, and so I have a personal commitment to supporting improvements to SEND provision.
Mainstream & specialist capacity should be expanded.
QR code to sign the dentistry petition
We need to remedy the NHS Dentistry Crisis in Torbay. Much of this is due to the broken NHS Dental Contract. If we fix this, by using flexible commissioning to meet patient needs, we can draw more dentists from the private sector to the NHS.
I am running a petition to fix the NHS Dental Contract
Today, I visited Torquay Library and cut their cake, designed by staff member Carol, to celebrate 100 years of the Children's Library. They have raised a fantastic amount of money through bake sales and other initiatives, which will be invested into upgrades to the Children's Library.
The number of shoplifting cases recorded in Devon and Cornwall has jumped from 3,813 to 11,114 from 2021 to 25. But only 19.65% of cases have been charged in 2025.
We need a return to genuine community policing. The Liberal Democrats are pushing for a Police Counter Promise to keep down crime.
Hosted ERBC meeting, Met with Torbay Mencap, Hosted a Cafe Catch up at the Boathouse, Spoke in Parliament against mandating pensions investment, attended the Postcode lottery's animal welfare reception, wrote a letter to Wes Streeting advocating for the ICO, Spoke in parliament to highlight the danger of the russian shadow fleet ships, held a pop up surgery in Torquay
Here's what I've been up to this week, up in Parliament or here in Torbay...
#Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon
My latest pop-up surgery was outside Tesco at Fleet Street in Torquay town centre. Matters that arose included parking near schools, the ongoing impacts of the Iran war and assisted dying. If I can be of any assistance, please do reach out to me at steve.darling.mp@parliament.uk or 07908 349347.
Mandating whether and where people's pensions should be invested is wrong. Our economy works best without state interference in investment.
I spoke in Parliament yesterday to reflect on my father's struggles with his pension savings in the 2008 crisis and to urge the Minister against mandation.
Children and Families in Grief, National Foundation for Retired Service Animals, South West Blood Bikes, Samaritans of South Devon and Guide Dogs for the Blind are all excellent charities that do really important work in Torbay or nationally.
I have given recently to all of the charities above.
Steve Darling MP holds a poster which reads 'over £90 million raised for animal charities, the postcode lottery'
The Postcode Lottery has raised over £90M for animal charities. Since charities now face a difficult fundraising landscape, the funds that charity lotteries raise are vital.
However, charity lotteries are the only type of gambling/ fundraising subject to sales caps. I am campaigning against this.
Steve Darling MP at the boathouse cafe talking to residents
Thank you to those who came to my latest Cafe Catch Up at the Boathouse in Preston. It was a great opportunity for me to hear from people, and to share how I am championing Torbay in London.
I heard from many residents regarding your concerns. You can email me at steve.darling.mp@parliament.uk.
Steve Darling MP at a meeting with Torbay Mencap members
Torbay Mencap supports children and adults with learning disabilities and their families. I met with them recently to discuss employment for people with learning disabilities.
We had a very productive conversation covering issues with Access to Work and Carer's Allowance and supported internships.
Letter from Steve Darling MP to Wes Streeting asking him to intervene in the Hospital's decision to end the Integrated Care Organisation
Torbay services should remain in Torbay. We are better off with the highly respected Integrated Care Organisation and the Histopathology department at Torbay Hospital and I will keep fighting for our local services.
This is why I have written to the Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
An image of Steve Darling MP speaking to a group of business leaders at TQ Beerworks
The Spring Meeting of the English Riviera Business Community occurred on Thursday. I was delighted to host this initiative, which I founded, at TQ Beerworks to hear from leaders across many sectors in Torbay, including tourism, the arts, and high tech manufacturing.
Viktor Orban has lost the elections in Hungary after 16 years in power. This was the best present I received on my birthday yesterday. It is great to see his hold on Hungary released after years of corruption and manipulation of the electoral system.
#Russia #Ukraine #Stopthewar #Orban #Hungary
Festival of Disability- inclusive Cycling poster with the details mentioned above
The Festival of Disability- Inclusive Cycling Event is on at Torbay Velopark next weekend, on Saturday the 18th of April from 11am to 3pm.
Book before Wednesday to get involved at bit.ly/4tFOrjw
What book? The Stand by Stephen King What person would you take? Donald Trump (to throw in the sea) What meal would you miss? Lamb Dhansak What pet would you take? Jennie What film is your favourite? Pulp Fiction What album is your favourite? The Hadestown soundtrack
On Torbay Hospital Radio last week I visited 'Alex Island' and got to talk about some of my favourite things.
Here are my answers...
What would yours be ??
#TorbayHospital #Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon
You can find out about everything I have been up to this week, as well as the latest news in Torbay in my weekly newsletter.
Subscribe here to get access to the latest copy: buff.ly/uyuYU0e
#Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon
Yesterday the Integrated Care Board (ICB) in Torbay pulled out of the public meeting they were due to attend on Monday.
The ICB are losing residents' trust.
I am disturbed by the short notice for the lack of attendance for this meeting, the ICB need to do better.
#TorbayHospital #Torbay
Steve Darling MP outside Torbay Hospital
Senior medics from Torbay Hospital have approached me to detail their concerns over plans to centralise the Histopathology department at the Hospital elsewhere in Exeter.
I have urgently requested that the Trust provide me with the original documentation for the move including risk assessments.
If you want to make a difference to Paignton you can now apply to be on the Paignton Place Leadership Board.
No prior experience is needed to get involved. If you are interested you can find out more details here: buff.ly/hso4J24 and apply here: buff.ly/cidRIKi
#Paigton #Communitymatters
The Two Week Ceasefire needs to become a permanent end to this war. I am calling on the Government to hold Trump and his team in the White House to account to ensure this.
The Liberal Democrats are proposing a 10p duty cut to petrol that will result in a cut to what you pay by 12p a litre.
Major changes are about to come into force for private renting in England, as the Renters' Rights Act comes into effect from May.
You can find out more about the changes here: www.torbay.gov.uk/renters-righ...
#Renting #Tenants #Landlords #Rentersrights
There is clear and mounting evidence that President Trump intends to order US forces to launch major attacks on civilian targets in Iran, which would breach international law.
This is why I have signed a letter calling on Starmer to withdraw access granted to US planes to use UK bases.
Steve Darling MP at the Arena Torquay with the lead singer of the Selecter
Congratulations to the team at the Arena in Torquay for pulling off their incredible 'Upbeat Weekender' over Easter.
I had the pleasure of attending and seeing local band Too Hot perform, as well as The Selecter. I also want to shout out the staff at the Arena, who were exceptional.
A graphic with an image of a Staffordshire bull terrier and a chihuahua with the text 'Don't believe the type, any dog, regardless of their breed or 'type' can be dangerous... in the wrong hands, Join the campaign against irresponsible dog ownership RSPCA'
Spirit, a 15 year old terrier was very sadly killed in an attack by out of control dogs this January.
We urgently need improved safeguards in dog ownership and this is why I am supporting Blake McElhatton's petition for the Government to review The Dangerous Dog Act 1991.
buff.ly/zud77w5
