Steve Darling: Standing up for your freedom and privacy

Last week I attended the Annual Members’ Meeting at Torbay Hospital, a vital opportunity to reflect on the organisation’s achievements over the past year and to hear about its plans for the future.

It has been a year of considerable change, with three Chief Executives in the past 12 months following the departure of Liz Davenport, an interim period, and now Joe Teape taking the reins.

While it was encouraging to hear about some investment in areas such as A&E, the reality is that Torbay Hospital continues to face enormous pressures. Staff are working heroically, but they are doing so in buildings that are simply not fit for modern healthcare. These facilities are outdated and crumbling, and successive governments have failed to provide the investment we so urgently need. The current government has yet to show any sign that it understands the scale of the challenge either. Patients and staff in Torbay deserve better.

I raised questions about staff wellbeing and retention, as well as digital inclusion with the new One Devon electronic patient record system. I was pleased to receive reassurances on both fronts. Supporting staff and patients at Torbay Hospital is a key priority of mine. That includes securing the investment our community needs from government funds. This hospital is the cornerstone of healthcare in our Bay, and I will not stop pressing the government to deliver the facilities our community deserves.

On a brighter note, I want to say a massive well done to everyone who took part in the recent Torbay Half Marathon and 10k. Sadly, I wasn’t able to be there in person this year, but I was cheering on from afar for everyone running, including Paignton Lib Dem Councillor Cat Johns and my soon-to-be daughter-in-law Rachel.

It was fantastic to see the event return after last year’s cancellation. The Half Marathon is one of those special days in the Bay when the whole community comes together. Runners, volunteers, families, and supporters line the route to cheer people on, and the atmosphere is second to none.

What makes the event even more inspiring is the difference it makes beyond the finish line. Each year, the Half Marathon raises thousands of pounds for local charities and good causes, supporting the vital work they do across Torbay. From health and wellbeing projects to community groups and children’s services, the money raised helps strengthen the very fabric of our Bay.

Congratulations once again to everyone who laced up their trainers, gave their time, or donated. You’ve done Torbay proud.

Turning to national matters, the Government has announced plans to introduce mandatory digital ID cards. This would mean every person in the UK being forced to hand over their private data just to go about their daily lives. I believe this is the wrong direction for our country.

Here in Torbay, the impact would be especially severe. We have one of the highest proportions of pensioners anywhere in the country, and many older residents already struggle with digital exclusion. Whether it’s booking GP appointments online or trying to access government services that have gone “digital by default,” the barriers are real. Forcing people to use a digital ID risks leaving people behind or even criminalising those who simply can’t or don’t want to use one.

Our community deserves better. Instead of piling on more bureaucracy and surveillance, the Government should be fixing the NHS, tackling the cost of living, and supporting local services. That is what people here in the Bay consistently tell me they want to see.

The Liberal Democrats have always stood up for people’s freedoms and privacy. We fought against Labour’s ID card plans before, and we will fight these new proposals as well.

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.