Steve Darling

Stephen Matthew Darling (born April 1969) is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Torbay since 2024. Darling is registered blind and has a guide dog called Jennie.

Political career
Before he became a Member of Parliament, Darling was a local councillor for 30 years. 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.

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.