MP for Torbay
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Work and Pensions)
“A centrist Lib Dem MP for Torbay and the party’s Work and Pensions spokesperson who is highly loyal to the party but has shown independence on end-of-life amendments.”
Steve Darling is a Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, elected in 2024. He serves as the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Work and Pensions and sits on the Work and Pensions Committee. His parliamentary activity includes committee work on Pension Schemes Bill, Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill and Employment Rights Bill since first entering Parliament.
Darling has very high party loyalty (99%) but a low voting attendance (12%), suggesting many votes are missed. He votes a mix of ways across welfare and labour topics, with general support for mental health services, prison sentencing, transgender rights and climate measures, and a pattern of opposing VAT changes. Notably, he has two rebel votes against the party on end-of-life amendments to the Terminally Ill Adults Bill in June 2025.
Declared four financial interests: two entries related to donations or loans for activities as an MP, one entry for gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources, and one miscellaneous entry.
Generated 21 February 2026
How this MP participates in parliamentary votes. These numbers describe activity, not effectiveness.
How often this MP votes
Liberal Democrat average: 19%
The percentage of parliamentary votes (divisions) this MP participated in. MPs may miss votes for legitimate reasons including ministerial duties, constituency work, or illness.
How often this MP votes with their party
Liberal Democrat average: 100%
Estimated from voting record, not self-declared. This is a simplified model — real politics is more complex than a single axis.
5 positions
Work and Pensions Committee
Since Oct 2024
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Work and Pensions)
Since Sept 2024
Pension Schemes Bill
Jul 2025 - Sept 2025
Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill
Feb 2025 - Mar 2025
Employment Rights Bill
Nov 2024 - Jan 2025
Figures include only interests with declared monetary values from the Register of Members' Financial Interests. Some categories (e.g. hospitality, overseas visits) may not have monetary values recorded, so the total may not reflect all declared interests.
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 6
NOVictims and Courts Bill
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 5
NOVictims and Courts Bill
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 4
NOVictims and Courts Bill
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 3
NOVictims and Courts Bill
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 2
NOVictims and Courts Bill
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 1
NOVictims and Courts Bill
Draft Higher Education (Fee Limits and Fee Limit Condition) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
NODraft Employment Rights Act 2025 (Investigatory Powers) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026
AYEFinance (No. 2) Bill: Third Reading
NOFinance (No. 2) Bill
Finance (No. 2) Bill Report Stage: Amendment 6
AYEFinance (No. 2) Bill
Finance (No. 2) Bill Report Stage: Amendment 5
AYEFinance (No. 2) Bill
Finance (No. 2) Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
AYEFinance (No. 2) Bill
Courts and Tribunals Bill: Second Reading
NOCourts and Tribunals Bill
Courts and Tribunals Bill: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
AYECourts and Tribunals Bill
Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 106
NOChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
The percentage of votes where this MP voted the same way as the majority of their party. High loyalty is typical; most MPs vote with their party on most issues.
Rebel votes
Times this MP voted differently from the majority of their party. This can reflect independent judgement, but context matters — some rebel votes are on procedural matters, others on major policy.
