Steve Darling
Steve Darling | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Torbay | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Kevin Foster |
| Majority | 5,349 (11.6%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 1969 (age 55) Birmingham, England |
| Political party | Liberal Democrats |
| Website | www |
Stephen Matthew Darling (born April 1969) is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Torbay since 2024.[1] Darling is registered blind and has a guide dog called Jennie.[2][3]
Political career
Before he became a Member of Parliament, Darling was a local councillor for 30 years.[4] From 2019 to 2023 he was leader of Torbay Council.
In 2024, Darling was selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the seat of Torbay at the 2024 general election.
During his national campaign, he gained recognition when local Conservative Party campaigners allegedly falsely accused him of pretending to be blind for political gain. The charity Devon in Sight said that Darling "has been living with a rare genetic eye disease that started in childhood. He was formally registered blind in his teens with a deteriorating eye condition that may well end in total sight loss", adding that he was registered with Devon in Sight in 1986. His Conservative opponent Kevin Foster, denied that this allegation had been made.[5]
At the general election, Darling gained the seat from Foster, winning a majority of 5,349. He was sworn into parliament on 9 July 2024.
Personal life
Darling was given up for adoption when he was three months old. In 2014, he traced his birth mother, finding she was living six miles from his home.[6]
References
- ^ "Contact information for Steve Darling - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament". Parliament of the United Kingdom.
- ^ Seaman, Molly (September 15, 2023). "Bully XL savagely attacks blind Devon councillor's dog". Devon Live.
- ^ "Eagle-eyed viewers spot newest (canine) member of House of Commons on TV". Yahoo News. 2024-07-09. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ "Steve Darling - MP for Torbay". LibDems website.
- ^ Boffey, Daniel (2 July 2024). "Tories criticised for saying Lib Dem candidate pretending to be blind". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Sophie Pierce. "Coincidences in Devon man's search for birth mother".
External links
- 1969 births
- Blind politicians
- British politicians with disabilities
- English adoptees
- Liberal Democrats (UK) MPs for English constituencies
- Living people
- Politicians from Birmingham, West Midlands
- Politicians from Torquay
- UK MPs 2024–present
- British blind people
- Leaders of local authorities of England
- Liberal Democrats (UK) councillors
- British adoptees