Steve Darling

Voted NO on: King's Speech Motion for an Address

Steve Darling voted NO on 'King's Speech Motion for an Address' (307-171, passed)

Voted NO on: King's Speech Motion for an Address

Steve Darling voted NO on 'King's Speech Motion for an Address' (307-171, passed)

Voted AYE on: King's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (l)

Steve Darling voted AYE on 'King's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (l)' (78-408, defeated)

Voted AYE on: King's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (l)

Steve Darling voted AYE on 'King's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (l)' (78-408, defeated)

Spoke in debate: Getting Britain Working Again

Parliamentary appearance by Steve Darling

Getting Britain Working Again

I would like to raise with the Minister the fact that we are looking at around 1,000 redundancies across the NHS in Devon, which is a significant employer. That is cutting the legs off employment in communities such as mine in Torbay.

Getting Britain Working Again

It is a pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Walsall and Bloxwich (Valerie Vaz). One would normally imagine that the King’s Speech was an opportunity to press the reset button, but I fear that Labour Members are searching for another reset button at this time. We Liberal Democrats fear that the King’s Speech is somewhat timid in its ambition, and does not drive the change that many of our communities have a thirst for. I will focus on youth unemployment and our NEETs—those not in educati

Voted AYE on: Privilege

Steve Darling voted AYE on 'Privilege' (223-335, defeated)

Voted AYE on: Privilege

Steve Darling voted AYE on 'Privilege' (223-335, defeated)

Spoke in debate: Pension Schemes Bill

Parliamentary appearance by Steve Darling

Voted NO on: Draft Asylum Seekers (Reception Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Steve Darling voted NO on 'Draft Asylum Seekers (Reception Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026' (308-81, passed)

Voted NO on: Pension Schemes Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendments 15 to 24, 27, 30 to 34, 36, 38 to 42, 83 and 88, insist on Amendments 88C, 88E to 88P, 88R, 88S and 88W, and propose Amendments (a) to (j) in lieu of Amendments 88A, 88T, 88U and 88V

Steve Darling voted NO on 'Pension Schemes Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendments 15 to 24, 27, 30 to 34, 36, 38 to 42, 83 and 88, insist on Amendments 88C, 88E to 88P, 88R, 88S and 88W, and propose Amendments (a) to (j) in lieu of Amendments 88A, 88T, 88U and 88V' (335-158, passed)

Pension Schemes Bill

The Liberal Democrats have opposed mandation from day one, and we have continued to oppose it throughout the passage of this Bill. The challenge is that once we cross the Rubicon, we change the dynamics of pensions significantly. Crucially, people need to have confidence that contributing to pensions is a good way of saving for their retirement. If we undermine that through Government interference, it will reduce people’s confidence in saving for their pensions. That would be a complete reversal

Pension Schemes Bill

The hon. Gentleman makes a powerful point; I am sure that the Minister will reflect on it when winding up. The Liberal Democrats continue to oppose mandation, and we plan to vote against the motion tonight.

Voted NO on: Pension Schemes Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendments 15 to 24, 27, 30 to 34, 36, 38 to 42, 83 and 88, insist on Amendments 88C, 88E to 88P, 88R, 88S and 88W, and propose Amendments (a) to (j) in lieu of Amendments 88A, 88T, 88U and 88V

Steve Darling voted NO on 'Pension Schemes Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendments 15 to 24, 27, 30 to 34, 36, 38 to 42, 83 and 88, insist on Amendments 88C, 88E to 88P, 88R, 88S and 88W, and propose Amendments (a) to (j) in lieu of Amendments 88A, 88T, 88U and 88V' (335-158, passed)

Voted NO on: Draft Asylum Seekers (Reception Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Steve Darling voted NO on 'Draft Asylum Seekers (Reception Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026' (308-81, passed)

Voted NO on: English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendments 89B and 89C

Steve Darling voted NO on 'English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendments 89B and 89C' (273-167, passed)

Pension Schemes Bill

As the shadow Secretary of State has said, there is a lot to be welcomed in the Bill. In considering the Bill, we have looked to Australia and Canada, and at best practice throughout the world, and there is much we have drawn from. For the Liberal Democrats, the pensions world that we are looking to enter with this Bill is greatly to be welcomed. Up and down the United Kingdom—from Tobermory in Mull to Torbay in Devon—we desperately need greater investment in our economy. We must make sure that

Voted NO on: English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendments 89B and 89C

Steve Darling voted NO on 'English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendments 89B and 89C' (273-167, passed)

Voted NO on: Children's School and Wellbeing Bill: Amendments (a) to (j) in lieu of Lords Amendments 38V to 38X

Steve Darling voted NO on 'Children's School and Wellbeing Bill: Amendments (a) to (j) in lieu of Lords Amendments 38V to 38X' (272-64, passed)