Steve Darling: Instability won't stop me campaigning for you

It’s been a busy time in Westminster since Parliament returned from its summer recess although global events have cast a long shadow over proceedings.

The killing of Charlie Kirk in America, Russian drones breaching Polish airspace, and Israel’s strikes on Doha are stark reminders of the instability and suffering unfolding across the world. 

Closer to home, Baroness Casey is undertaking a review into the future of Adult Social Care. This week, her team is visiting Torbay, as our close working NHS and Adult Social Care team are trailblazers in joined-up health and care.

Torbay has created a system where the NHS and Adult Social Care professionals work hand in glove. The result is more people being supported in their own home which frees up the equivalent of around 60 beds in our hospital.

This is a real victory for those of us who have long argued that the Government should take inspiration from the Torbay approach, built on over 17 years of genuine partnership between the NHS and Local Authority.

Not all recent developments have been encouraging. I’ve joined neighbouring Lib Dem MPs Caroline Voaden and Martin Wrigley in raising serious concerns about the Government’s new NHS league tables.

These rankings expose a growing postcode lottery in healthcare. Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust was placed 71st, and our local ambulance service ranked ninth out of ten nationally.

These figures are deeply troubling. They risk undermining public confidence and making it harder for lower-ranked hospitals to attract staff and resources. Historically, Torbay has been poorly served compared to other parts of Devon.

The picture is even more worrying in mental health services. Devon Partnership NHS Trust was ranked second worst in the country among non-acute trusts, with its Mental Health and Learning Disability services falling far short of what patients deserve. I will be joining my Lib Dem colleagues to hold the government to account on this.

Since our election last year, we have campaigned tirelessly for better healthcare. We’ve called for a £350 million upgrade to Torbay Hospital, opposed the relocation of coronary services to Exeter, and fought to save Paignton’s Ambulance Station. The NHS crisis is no longer seasonal—it is year-round.

The priority must be fixing the basics: recruiting and retaining frontline staff, boosting morale, and ensuring every community receives the care it needs. League tables do not solve these problems. They risk making them worse.

On a lighter note, I’m delighted to share that my guide dog Jennie has been crowned Westminster Dog of the Year 2025. Her win in the Sir David Amess Pawblic Vote reflects the warmth and admiration she inspires across party lines. Jennie is more than a companion.

She is a symbol of accessibility, resilience and compassion in Parliament. Whether lying quietly by the front benches or greeting colleagues with her gentle nature, she helps break down barriers and build connections.

This award is a celebration of all guide dogs and assistance animals who help people live independently and with dignity. I hope Jennie’s win sparks more conversations about accessibility and the vital role these incredible animals play in public life.

Thank you to Dogs Trust and The Kennel Club for hosting this wonderful event, and to everyone who voted for Jennie. Your support means the world.

As always, if you need assistance or would like to share your views, please get in touch. You can reach me at steve.darling.mp@parliament.uk or on 07908 349347. For regular updates, sign up to my weekly e-newsletter at www.torbaylibdems.org.uk/newsletter.