Steve Darling: I was honoured to stand with world leaders in Kyiv

At the end of last month, I travelled to Kyiv, Ukraine's capital city, to commemorate the three-year mark of Russia's ongoing war. As the United States' involvement in supporting Ukraine appears to wane, I felt it a great honour to stand alongside world leaders in Maidan Square. Together, we paid tribute to the brave soldiers who have fallen and all those who have tragically lost their lives during this devastating conflict.

This trip included 16 members of the UK Parliament. It was a deeply moving experience to share this moment with so many Liberal Democrat colleagues, especially two who previously served in the military. The presence of international leaders, such as Prime Ministers Mette Frederiksen of Denmark, Ulf Kristersson of Sweden, and Pedro Sanchez of Spain, alongside President Zelensky, demonstrated a united front of solidarity with Ukraine.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin KCB ADC represented the UK Armed Forces at this significant event. While waiting for other political figures to arrive, I had the opportunity to gain valuable insight from him regarding the role of the British Armed Forces in response to Putin's invasion and potential future developments.

The people of Torbay have consistently shown their unwavering support for the people of Ukraine as they defend their nation against Russia's illegal war. During my time as an MP, this visit to Kyiv stands out as the most important event where I've had the privilege of representing our community. It is crucial that we stand against Putin now, or we risk further aggression against other sovereign nations.

As a representative of the Torbay community, it was profoundly touching to light a candle as a symbol of our support and remembrance. I also had the distinct pleasure of meeting Justin Trudeau, who demonstrated Canada's solidarity with Ukraine by attending the service.

I am reminded of the words of John F. Kennedy: "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."

Turning to domestic matters, I am pleased with the positive response to my petition concerning the proposed changes to Torbay and South Devon Cardiology Services. However, I remain deeply concerned about the proposed temporary co-location of the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust's (TSD) out-of-hours Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI) services at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

This proposal, outlined in a February 7th, 2025, cardiology update, has understandably caused anxiety among the medical staff at Torbay Hospital. I have formally requested a briefing and supporting data to better understand the rationale behind this decision.

Specifically, I am seeking evidence that demonstrates improved access, equity, and sustainability of these vital services. I have also requested the full terms and conditions of the proposed trial, once finalised, and assurances that the PPCI services will remain at Torbay and South Devon if t at steve.darling.mp@parliament.uk if I can be of assistance. To stay informed about my work as your MP, I invite you to subscribe to my weekly e-newsletter at www.torbaylibdems.org.uk/newsletter. The pilot program fails to achieve its intended improvements in patient outcomes and experience.

Any modifications to critical services such as PPCI must be based on strong evidence and receive the full support of the local medical community. I have called for an urgent briefing to gain clarity on the reasoning behind this decision and to ensure that patient care remains the utmost priority.

I believe that these plans should be halted unless it can be definitively shown that they will not jeopardise patient safety. If you haven't already, I urge you to sign the petition at

https://www.torbaylibdems.org.uk/campaigns/save-our-out-of-hours-coronary-services. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me via email.