Torbay MP Steve Darling welcomed Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey to Goodrington Sands on Firday 10 July 2026.
The visit saw Mr Darling, accompanied by his guide dog Jennie, meet with Mr Davey on the seafront, where they spoke with local people and enjoyed ice creams overlooking the beach. Jennie was also treated to her own dog-friendly ice cream during the visit.
The appearance attracted coverage from members of the press, who followed the Liberal Democrat leader’s visit to Torbay as he used the opportunity to raise concerns about regional inequality and the impact of future devolution plans.
During the visit, Mr Davey commented that relocating part of the Prime Minister’s office does little to address the inequalities facing coastal and rural communities. He warned that creating a “No.10 North” office in Manchester could instead result in a new concentration of power, leaving places such as Torbay further removed from government decision-making. Mr Davey said Andy Burnham, widely tipped to become the next Prime Minister, risked overlooking communities across the UK if his devolution plans failed to recognise the needs of areas outside major cities. He added, "Avanti Andy is heading for signal failure” if plans for a “No.10 North” office continue without addressing what the party describes as left-behind communities across the South West, Yorkshire, the East of England, the North East, Wales and Scotland.
For Steve Darling, the visit provided an opportunity to showcase the issues facing Torbay, including the challenges experienced by coastal communities that often face different economic pressures from larger urban areas.
The Torbay MP has regularly highlighted the importance of ensuring local voices are heard in national decision-making, particularly on issues affecting coastal towns and communities.
Goodrington Sands provided the backdrop for the visit, with the popular Torbay beach location reflecting the area’s identity as a coastal community while the politicians discussed the wider challenges facing regions across the UK.
