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 | |
| Political party | Liberal Democrats |
| Website | www |
Stephen Matthew Darling (born April 1969 in Birmingham) is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom. He was elected to serve as Member of Parliament for Torbay in the 2024 general election.[1] Darling is registered blind.[2]
Political career
Before he became a Member of Parliament, Darling was a local councillor for 30 years.[3] From 2019 to 2023 he was leader of Torbay Council.
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, whom he unseated in the election, denied that this allegation had been made.[4]
Personal life
When he was three months old Darling was given up for adoption. After he traced his natural mother in 2014, he discovered she was living just six miles from his home.[5]
References
- ^ "Contact information for Steve Darling - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament". Parliament of the United Kingdom.
- ^ https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/american-xl-bully-attacks-blind-8755983
- ^ Steve Darling, Candidate for Torbay on LibDems website
- ^ Boffey, Daniel (2 July 2024). "Tories criticised for saying Lib Dem candidate pretending to be blind". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Coincidences in Devon man's search for birth mother, Sophie Pierce, BBC News, 7 January 2014
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