Steve Darling: Speaking up with your support

As Parliament breaks for its summer recess, I am looking forward to making good use of the time by visiting residents, holding pop-up street surgeries, knocking on doors and enjoying everything our beautiful bay has to offer.

Last week, I handed in my coronary care petition to Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The response from local people has been fantastic. Thousands of you signed to demand that emergency heart services remain in Torbay, and I’m incredibly grateful for your support.

Thanks to the pressure we’ve applied together, the proposed relocation has been paused. But we cannot be complacent. The future of cardiac care is still uncertain as NHS Devon prepares to publish its broader cardiology strategy. We must ensure that patient safety and local access remain at its core.

That is why I have joined forces with The Heart Campaign to keep coronary services local. We will be holding a public meeting at Livermead House Hotel on Tuesday 29 July. Doors open at 5.00 pm and the meeting begins at 5.30 pm. Cardiologists, campaigners and local residents will come together to share ideas and concerns. If you can join us, your voice will help strengthen our case.

In Westminster, I’ve been standing up for those whose voices are too often left out of the conversation. Last week, I challenged Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall over the government’s failure to consult disabled people before announcing the biggest overhaul of welfare in years.

The proposed changes include sweeping reforms to Personal Independence Payments, which many disabled people rely on to cover essential costs and remain in work. It is unacceptable that those most affected were initially excluded. I made it clear in committee that reform must never be designed behind closed doors. It must be co-produced with the people who depend on these lifelines. Exclusion leads to injustice. Inclusion leads to meaningful change.

I also pressed the Secretary on the government’s failure to publish its long awaited Child Poverty Strategy. Delays are leaving vulnerable children behind, and I will keep pushing for answers and decisive action.

Earlier this year, we learned Paignton’s town center Post Office would remain open but shift from being a Directly Managed Branch to a franchise. That franchise has now been awarded to South Coast Retail Ltd, led by Liam Searle. His family has deep ties to the Post Office, and he already operates successful branches across the South West.

I met Liam in Westminster last week and was encouraged by his enthusiasm for Paignton and his commitment to helping the branch thrive. I believe our Post Office is in safe hands, and I want to thank everyone who stood up and spoke out to protect this vital service. This is your victory.

Finally, I want to address a crisis affecting the future of our country. Children may make up just 20 percent of the population, but they represent 100 percent of our future. Today, that future is under threat. Across the UK, 4.5 million children are growing up in poverty. 

I’ve heard heartbreaking accounts from teachers and families of children arriving at school cold, hungry and exhausted. This cannot go on. I spoke in Parliament this week against policies like the two child limit and the benefits cap, which are punishing families simply for being larger.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for both policies to be scrapped. Backed by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and children’s charities, we believe this would be one of the most effective ways to tackle child poverty across the country. Every child deserves a fair start in life, whether they grow up in Torbay or Tyneside.

If I can help with anything, please get in touch. Email me at steve.darling.mp@parliament.uk or call 07908 349347. And for regular updates on my work, sign up for my newsletter at torbaylibdems.org.uk/newsletter.