Steve Darling: A visit to Crufts with Jenny highlights the life-changing work of support dogs

Trump’s war continues to rage on in the Middle East this week, and as a result, fuel prices have been spiralling.

On Sunday at 11pm, crude oil prices crossed the threshold of $100 a barrel and this is having an effect on the entire stock market. This is largely because Israeli strikes have hit fuel depots in Iran, although the US claimed that they would not be targeting Iran’s fuel industry.

As the Liberal Democrats have been stating for a long time, Trump and his administration cannot be trusted and we cannot rely on the US with an international gangster in the White House. This Government’s priority should be supporting people through the rising costs and ensuring that the safe return of British Nationals is facilitated with urgency.

I have already been supporting constituents who have been affected, and if you are aware of anyone else who is a Torbay constituent impacted by this crisis, please encourage them to reach out as my team and I are here to help. 

Back in the UK, on Sunday I was invited to Crufts, as Jennie was voted ‘Westminster Dog of the Year’ last Autumn. This was a really great opportunity to meet with so many animal charities who are supporting our dogs.

It was a particular highlight to meet with the Greyhound Trust who support ex-racing greyhounds, as well as the many many charities which provide dogs who support people with a range of issues. It was amazing to hear about the dogs who help those with epilepsy by warning them when they are about to have a seizure. Support Dogs for Autism, Epilepsy and Disability estimate that they save the NHS around £40 million a year. In fact, a single support dog for the condition POTS, a heart rate condition, saves the NHS more than £80,000. 

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In Torbay on Friday, I visited Paignton Monastery which has been empty since 2017 but is still a well-preserved site. We discussed potential future uses for the location. If you have any specific ideas for the space, you can get in touch with councillor Cat Johns.

Councillor Johns and her fellow campaigners ran a hard-fought campaign to prevent Torbay Council selling off the site on the open market so it would be great to see the space used to support residents, such as by providing a community centre and hosting classes and exhibitions. 

Whether it’s cleaning our streets, supporting vulnerable elderly residents, or providing temporary accommodation for homeless families, all these functions are undertaken by Torbay Unitary Council.

Over the past few months, there has been consultation about changing the way that our local government in Devon works. As with the vast majority of people in Torbay, I strongly support the continuance of Torbay Council as a Unitary Council without it being swallowed up into a more out-of-touch, larger Devon authority.

The Government are seeking views on the new proposals from councils for the reorganisation of local government in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay at the moment. The full proposals can be found here: Local government reorganisation in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay - GOV.UK and you can have your say using this form: Consultation on Proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - Citizen Space. 

It is so important for our community to be shaped by our residents so that residents’ needs are supported. So please do get involved with suggesting ideas for Paignton monastery and sharing your views on the Local Government Reorganisation Consultation. 

As always, if you need assistance or would like to share your thoughts, 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.