MP for Torbay
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Work and Pensions)
“A centrist Lib Dem backbencher who is almost perfectly loyal to the party, but has unusually low voting attendance and has rebelled on end-of-life legislation.”
Steve Darling is the Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, elected in 2024. He serves as the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Work and Pensions and sits on the Work and Pensions Committee. Since entering Parliament he has worked on committees related to pension schemes, fraud and employment rights, reflecting a focus on social and economic policy relevant to his constituency.
Darling shows very high party loyalty (99%) but low attendance (12%), and has two rebel votes against the party line. His record is broadly centrist: he generally supports mental health services, transgender rights and climate measures, and tends to vote against VAT increases, with more mixed positions on workers’ rights and renter protections and a leaning towards stricter prison sentencing.
Declared financial interests include donations and other support for activities as an MP (including loans), gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources, and a 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.
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
NODraft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026
AYEDraft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
AYEUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
AYEUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill [HL]
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 2
AYEMedical Training (Prioritisation) Bill
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 9
NOMedical Training (Prioritisation) Bill
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial) Order 2025
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Third Reading
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Committee: Amendment 5
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 6
NODiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 5
NODiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 1
NODiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 26
AYEFinance (No. 2) Bill
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 25
AYEFinance (No. 2) 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.
