Steve Darling: A year of pressure, progress and pride for Torbay

As 2025 draws to a close, this is a chance to reflect on what has been an extraordinary year for Torbay.

It has been a year of hard-fought campaigns, community wins and moments of pride that remind us why our Bay is so special. Here are some highlights and a look ahead to 2026.

We began the year with the disappointing news that the rebuild of Torbay Hospital had been delayed until at least 2032 under the New Hospital Programme. 

This was a bitter blow, and I acted immediately by sending a detailed report to the Health Secretary outlining the urgent needs of our local NHS. Alongside this, we launched a campaign using every parliamentary lever available, including ministerial questions, Early Day Motions, and a Postcard Campaign that saw hundreds of residents write directly to the minister.

Persistent pressure brought results. In February, I secured £14.2 million for emergency department upgrades, followed by £7.3 million for hospital safety improvements in June and a further £2.367 million from the Estates Safety Fund in November. These wins do not replace the need for a full rebuild, but they are important steps forward.

Spring brought another challenge when proposals emerged to remove out-of-hours coronary care from Torbay Hospital by moving the life-saving pPCI procedure to Exeter. I raised this urgently in Parliament and launched a residents’ petition. Thanks to our collective voices, that plan has now been paused. But Cardiology and other acute services could still be at risk, and I am pleased to be working with the Heart Campaign to keep these services at Torbay Hospital.

Beyond healthcare, we fought to protect local assets. Paignton Post Office faced closure earlier this year, but after presenting a petition with over a thousand signatures to the House of Commons, we successfully averted what would have been a serious blow to local business and community life. I am now working to prevent the closure of Torquay’s Custody Suite and to secure greater police investment in Torbay.

Paignton Zoo also faced significant challenges, hammered by the Government’s NICs job tax since last year’s budget. I repeatedly called for a national summit to support our zoos and aquariums and stayed in close contact with the zoo’s leadership. Just recently, we received the fantastic news that the zoo has been purchased by Dutch company Libéma, securing its future. I look forward to working closely with the new owners to see this much-loved attraction thrive.

This year also brought moments of great honour as Torbay’s representative in Parliament. I was humbled to join the parliamentary delegation to Kyiv to stand with Ukraine on the third anniversary of Russia’s second invasion. Meeting global leaders and visiting injured soldiers were deeply moving experiences. Earlier in the year, I had the privilege of visiting Buckingham Palace to meet the King and welcomed Sir Ed Davey to Torbay for a game of Crazy Golf. More recently, I was proud to carry the Baton of Hope in Torbay for suicide prevention, a cause close to my heart.

Looking ahead to 2026, there is much to be excited about. Internationally, the FIFA World Cup will take centre stage in the summer. Here in Torbay, we can look forward to the return of the Brixham Pirate Festival, the English Riviera Airshow at the end of May, and, for the first time, the Stand Up Paddleboard World Cup hosted right here in the Bay.

Thank you for your support throughout 2025. It has been a privilege to represent Torbay and fight for the issues that matter most to you. Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year and a prosperous 2026.

As always, if you need assistance or would like to share your thoughts, please get in touch at steve.darling.mp@parliament.uk or on 07908 349347. For regular updates, sign up to my weekly e-newsletter at www.torbaylibdems.org.uk/newsletter.