The Westminster lensArchive · Public voice — Bluesky · @stevedarlingmp.bsky.social · 218 substantive posts

Bluesky — Darling.

Every substantive Bluesky post by Steve Darling, classified for substance and tone — each links out to the original on Bluesky. Back to the MP page.

Bluesky activity · last 60 days
@stevedarlingmp.bsky.social
137posts
124substantive
neutralvoice · measured steady

Voice score reflects the argumentative tone of the MP's own posts (critical vs supportive) — not what other people say about them. The "criticises" and "supports" lists below show who they're directing each tone at.

Most criticises
  • Torbay Council9
  • Government8
  • Coastguard Agency3
Most supports
  • Liberal Democrats9
  • Government4
  • Torbay Hospital4
Top topics
  • Culture & Community24 postssupportive
  • Health & NHS22 postssupportive
  • Education12 postssupportive
All postsSubstantive posts.218 classified · most recent first

Each post links out to the original on Bluesky — open it there to read the full thread and replies.

WhenTopicTonePost
19 Jul 2026EducationangryThe SEND system is failing parents in Torbay. I have filed an official complaint with Conservative-run Torbay Council after more than 140 local people have come to me for help dealing with services for children with special needs.
19 Jul 2026EnvironmentmeasuredFollowing the warmest spring on record and third heatwave of the year recently, Devon was moved from Normal status to Prolonged Dry Weather status on Tuesday 14th July. If you have environmental incidents and concerns you can report them to the Environment Agency's 24-hour hotline at 0800 807060.
18 Jul 2026Defence & SecuritycelebratoryThe Government has announced that Coastguard Officers will retain their pay! After speaking up against the Coastguard Agency's plans to cut coastguard volunteers' remuneration in Parliament multiple times, I am thrilled to see that the Government has listened to Liberal Democrat MPs
18 Jul 2026Health & NHSmeasuredHere is what I've been up to this week, including speaking up for Torbay Hospital and speaking out against government plans to throw rural Devon under the bus... #TorbayHospital #Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon
17 Jul 2026Local GovernmentangryRural Devon has been thrown under the bus by the Government's new Local Government Plan. I raised severe concerns about the plan, which would see Devon divided up into 4 unitary authorities, Plymouth, Exeter, Torbay and Rural Devon, and questioned the financial viability of the Rural Devon Council
17 Jul 2026Health & NHSmeasuredThe Heart Campaign have long been fighting to see our services protected at Torbay Hospital. I paid tribute to their fight on the last day of Parliament yesterday, before summer recess. I also pointed out how funding for Torbay Hospital does not reflect our high levels of elderly people.
16 Jul 2026Cost of Livingmeasured@Money Wellness say getting declined for buy now, pay later (BNPL) may be a sign your finances are becoming stretched. Talking to someone about this sooner rather than later can stop financial difficulties getting worse. 👉 Find out all the ways Money Wellness can help at www.moneywellness.com.
16 Jul 2026Agriculture & Rural EconomycelebratoryIt is great news that Dartmoor ponies will be removed from stocking rate calculations, as well as having their population monitored and being provided with a dedicated pony supplement. I spoke out against this along with my fellow Devon MPs so I am pleased the Government have listened.
16 Jul 2026Culture & CommunityempatheticBlue Cross, the pets charity, are working to promote responsible dog ownership. This issue is close to my heart after Jennie was brutally attacked by another dog a couple of years ago. They offer tips for dog safety here: bluecross.org.uk/training-and-courses
15 Jul 2026Health & NHSmeasuredTorbay Hospital is the 3rd oldest NHS estate in the whole country. It must see accelerated investment. I pressed the Government for funding yesterday, and raised the fact that the tower block in the Hospital has been like an oven for staff and patients in this heatwave. #TorbayHospital #Torbay
14 Jul 2026Health & NHSmeasuredMore NHS dentistry appointments for coastal communities- Last chance to sign I am handing in my dentistry petition to Parliament shortly so this will be the last chance to sign it here: www.torbaylibdems.org.uk/campaigns/de... This is calling on the Government to create a Dental Rescue Package.
14 Jul 2026Local GovernmentmeasuredTorbay is the most deprived local authority in the South West. I am concerned that the new local government reorganisation in Devon will detract from the key issue of the regeneration that we so badly need. I asked the Minister to focus on this regeneration in Parliament yesterday.
14 Jul 2026Social CareempatheticAdoptive and kinship families came to Parliament this week to speak about the impact of cuts to therapeutic support and what needs to change. As someone who was adopted myself, this is very close to my heart. The government’s proposals must not further weaken support for adopted children.
13 Jul 2026Health & NHSmeasuredCoastal communities, like Torbay, experience very different challenges to large metropolitan cities. Ed Davey visited Torbay on Friday to highlight these unique challenges, such as the lack of well-paid jobs, which is another reason why Torbay Hospital is so important to us as our largest employer.
13 Jul 2026Local GovernmentmeasuredResidents have reached out with complaints around the maintenance of the children's cemetery section of the cemetery in Paignton. Local Councillor Cat Johns and I have written to Torbay Council to hold Westerleigh to account to tidy up some of the issues in Paignton cemetery. #Cemetery #Torbay
13 Jul 2026Economy & Jobs (General)measuredThe Government are currently looking for your opinion on which in-person banking services people really use, and to determine the future of in-person banking services in the UK. If high street banks are important to you can submit your opinion here: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/accesstoba...
13 Jul 2026Health & NHScelebratoryThere is a new Optical Express in Torquay now, which focuses on refractive surgery and ACES, NHS cataract treatment in as little as four weeks. The Optical Express is offering free eye exams. It is great to have these services available in our community. I was delighted to open the Optical Express.
13 Jul 2026MP & ParliamentmeasuredIf you have experienced an issue receiving second class post please get in touch with me and my team at steve.darling.mp@parliament.uk. I have already written to Royal Mail and the Minister and will be pushing to fix this issue. #mail #post #royalmail #Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly
12 Jul 2026TransportcelebratorySafe, Sustainable Travel Torbay hold regular events to help people get into cycling in the Bay! I spoke to Beth Huntley, Bike Mayor for Torbay, about what options are available. On Saturday the 18th they are holding a workshop where you can try and e-bike and go on a short, fun ride.
11 Jul 2026MP & ParliamentcelebratoryI was delighted to help a constituent secure their Civil Service Pension this week, which they had not yet received. My team and I are here to help with any problems you might have, including issues with pensions. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at steve.darling.mp@parliament.uk.
10 Jul 2026Culture & CommunitycelebratoryWe are fundraising for Devon In Sight! My team, Peter and Owen, and I are racing across Devon. We will be competing against 10 teams to raise money for Devon In Sight, the charity which supports those who are blind and partially (donate using this link: www.justgiving.com/page/race-ac... )
10 Jul 2026Defence & SecurityangryIt is deeply troubling that the Coastguard Agency are planning to cut volunteers' remuneration. I spoke up against this in Westminster this week, and asked the Minister to agree with me that choosing not to compensate these public servants for a task that many of us would find difficult is an insult
10 Jul 2026Health & NHSempatheticDefibrillators in police vehicles save lives. Defibrillation within 3 to 5 minutes of collapse can produce survival rates of 50 to 70%. In my debate in Parliament this week I paid tribute to Naomi Rees Issitt who lost her son Jamie after he suffered from a cardiac arrest.
9 Jul 2026Culture & CommunitycelebratoryThis Saturday St Marychurch celebrated Armed Forces day with a service on Fore Street, with over 130 people in attendance. I was delighted to attend and pay my respects to the men and women in the Armed Forces Community. #ArmedForces #Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour
9 Jul 2026Crime & PolicingcelebratoryAfter a public outcry, I was delighted that the Police responded to my campaign and backed away from the closure of the custody suite in Torquay. Last week I wrote to the Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Police Headquarters to ask what investment they are considering so the suite can continue.
8 Jul 2026Economy & Jobs (General)celebratoryTorbay is known as the Premier Resort of the UK, but it is also among the top five locations in England for expertise and engineering skills, with cutting-edge companies including Bay Photonics and Gooch & Housego. For this reason I was pleased to approve the Industrial Training Levy in Parliament.
8 Jul 2026Culture & CommunitycelebratoryBarton Cricket Club celebrated 100 years with the opening of their new changing rooms this weekend. These were half funded by the community infrastructure levy from planning developers, and half funded by the FA. It was a pleasure to attend the charity cricket match against Torquay United!
7 Jul 2026Health & NHSmeasuredPublic governor elections are taking place this summer for Torbay NHS Foundation Trust. These important voluntary roles help connect the Hospital to local communities, and provide accountability for parts of NHS leadership. You can read more about what’s involved here: tsdft.uk/beourgovernor
7 Jul 2026MP & ParliamentsarcasticWhat would you do with £250,000? Whilst I would spend this money fixing 4,400 pot holes, Nigel Farage has blown it on his vanity project of resigning and then re-standing as an MP. That's why I have submitted a Written Question asking how much by-elections have cost the taxpayer since 2021. #Torbay
6 Jul 2026Economy & Jobs (General)measuredThis week is Youth Employment week. With over a million young people not in employment, education or training, it is more important than ever to address this issue. You can find resources and tools to help young people into employment here: www.youthemployment.org.uk/youth-employ...
Sources & methodology
SourceBluesky / AT Protocol API · author feed. Each post links to the original on bsky.app.
VerificationOnly handles linked from the MP’s own published list are ingested. Self-declared or unverified handles aren’t included.
ClassificationEach post is LLM-classified for substance (vs reposts, social mentions, scheduling), then for tone (critical / measured / supportive) per target.
WindowThe 60-day summary above; the list covers all classified substantive posts.