# Torbay (UK Parliament constituency)

Torbay is a constituency in Devon represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Steve Darling, a Liberal Democrat. He defeated Kevin Foster of the Conservative Party, who had held the seat since 2015.

## Boundaries

1974–1983: The County Borough of Torbay.
1983–2010: The Borough of Torbay wards of Cockington with Chelston, Coverdale, Ellacombe, Preston, St Marychurch, St Michael's with Goodrington, Shiphay, Tormohun, and Torwood.
2010–2024: The Borough of Torbay wards of Clifton with Maidenway, Cockington with Chelston, Ellacombe, Goodrington with Roselands, Preston, Roundham with Hyde, St Marychurch, Shiphay with the Willows, Tormohun, Watcombe, and Wellswood.
2024–present: The Borough of Torbay wards of: Barton with Watcombe; Clifton with Maidenway; Cockington with Chelston; Ellacombe; Goodrington with Roselands; Preston; Roundham with Hyde; St. Marychurch; Shiphay; Tormohun; Wellswood.
Minor changes following re-organisation of local authority wards.
The constituency covers the majority of the Torbay unitary authority in Devon, including the seaside resorts of Torquay and most of Paignton. The remainder of the borough is covered by the South Devon constituency.

## History
### Political history

After being held for several Parliaments (taking together various predecessor areas) by Conservatives, from 1997 the seat was held by Liberal Democrats until 2015 when the Conservatives re-took it. It was captured once again by the Liberal Democrats at the 2024 general election.

### Prominent frontbenchers

Sir Frederic Bennett did not achieve his own ministry nationally, but he chaired in the European Parliament the European Democrats group.

## Constituency profile

Consisting almost entirely of coastal towns and villages, the constituency has a range of tourist facilities, and a few nearby luxury resorts. In November 2012, unemployment was 5%, compared to the national average of 3.8%.
The seat is home to the Plainmoor football ground, home to Torquay United.

## Members of Parliament

| Election | Member | Party |
| Feb 1974 | Sir Frederic Bennett | Conservative |
| 1987 | Rupert Allason | Conservative |
| 1993 | Rupert Allason | Independent |
| 1994 | Rupert Allason | Conservative |
| 1997 | Adrian Sanders | Liberal Democrat |
| 2015 | Kevin Foster | Conservative |
| 2024 | Steve Darling | Liberal Democrat |
* ↑ Whip withdrawn

## Elections
### Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Torbay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Steve Darling | 18,937 | 41.1 | +16.9 |
| | Conservative | Kevin Foster | 13,588 | 29.5 | −29.6 |
| | Reform UK | Gordon Scott | 8,660 | 18.8 | N/A |
| | Labour | Chris Wongsosaputro | 3,276 | 7.1 | −5.9 |
| | Green | Charlie West | 1,420 | 3.1 | +0.7 |
| | Workers Party | Paul Moor | 234 | 0.5 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,349 | 11.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,115 | 60.5 | −6.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 76,179 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | +23.3 | |

### Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result :
| Party | Party | Vote | % |
| | Conservative | 30,109 | 59.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | 12,358 | 24.2 |
| | Labour | 6,620 | 13.0 |
| | Green | 1,236 | 2.4 |
| | Independent | 648 | 1.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | 50,971 | 67.3 |
| Electorate | Electorate | 75,742 |
General election 2019: Torbay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Kevin Foster | 29,863 | 59.2 | +6.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Lee Howgate | 12,114 | 24.0 | −1.1 |
| | Labour | Michele Middleditch | 6,562 | 13.0 | −5.2 |
| | Green | Sam Moss | 1,239 | 2.5 | +1.2 |
| | Independent | James Channer | 648 | 1.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,749 | 35.2 | +7.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,426 | 67.2 | −0.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +3.65 | |
General election 2017: Torbay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Kevin Foster | 27,141 | 53.0 | +12.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Deborah Brewer | 12,858 | 25.1 | −8.7 |
| | Labour | Paul Raybould | 9,310 | 18.2 | +9.5 |
| | UKIP | Tony McIntyre | 1,213 | 2.4 | −11.2 |
| | Green | Sam Moss | 652 | 1.3 | −1.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,283 | 27.9 | +21.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 51,174 | 67.4 | +4.4 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +10.6 | |
General election 2015: Torbay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Kevin Foster | 19,551 | 40.7 | +2.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Adrian Sanders | 16,265 | 33.8 | −13.2 |
| | UKIP | Anthony McIntyre | 6,540 | 13.6 | +8.3 |
| | Labour | Su Maddock | 4,166 | 8.7 | +2.1 |
| | Green | Paula Hermes | 1,557 | 3.2 | +2.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,286 | 6.9 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,079 | 63.0 | −1.6 |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats | Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats | Swing | +7.6 | |
General election 2010: Torbay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Adrian Sanders | 23,126 | 47.0 | +5.2 |
| | Conservative | Marcus Wood | 19,048 | 38.7 | +2.9 |
| | Labour | David Pedrick-Friend | 3,231 | 6.6 | −7.9 |
| | UKIP | Julien Parrott | 2,628 | 5.3 | −2.7 |
| | BNP | Ann Conway | 709 | 1.4 | N/A |
| | Green | Sam Moss | 468 | 1.0 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,078 | 8.3 | +4.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,210 | 64.6 | +4.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | +1.1 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Torbay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Adrian Sanders | 19,317 | 40.8 | −9.7 |
| | Conservative | Marcus Wood | 17,288 | 36.5 | +0.1 |
| | Labour | David Pedrick-Friend | 6,972 | 14.7 | +5.3 |
| | UKIP | Graham Booth | 3,726 | 7.9 | +4.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,029 | 4.3 | −9.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,303 | 61.9 | −0.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | −4.9 | |
General election 2001: Torbay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Adrian Sanders | 24,015 | 50.5 | +10.9 |
| | Conservative | Christian Sweeting | 17,307 | 36.4 | −3.1 |
| | Labour | John MacKay | 4,484 | 9.4 | −5.5 |
| | UKIP | Graham Booth | 1,512 | 3.2 | −0.5 |
| | Independent | Pam Neale | 251 | 0.5 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,708 | 14.1 | +14.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,569 | 62.5 | −11.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | +7.05 | |

### Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Torbay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Adrian Sanders | 21,094 | 39.6 | −0.2 |
| | Conservative | Rupert Allason | 21,082 | 39.5 | −10.4 |
| | Labour | Michael Morey | 7,923 | 14.9 | +5.3 |
| | UKIP | Graham Booth | 1,962 | 3.7 | N/A |
| | Liberal | Bruce Cowling | 1,161 | 2.2 | N/A |
| | Rainbow Dream Ticket | Paul Wild | 100 | 0.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12 | 0.1 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 53,322 | 73.8 | −6.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | +5.1 | |
The 12 vote majority in Torbay was originally the second smallest in any of the 659 constituencies contested at the 1997 general election, with only the Liberal Democrats' majority of 2 in Winchester being smaller. However the Winchester result was subsequently challenged and declared void resulting in a by-election.
General election 1992: Torbay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Rupert Allason | 28,624 | 49.9 | −4.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Adrian Sanders | 22,837 | 39.8 | +2.2 |
| | Labour | Peter Truscott | 5,503 | 9.6 | +1.2 |
| | National Front | Robert Jones | 268 | 0.5 | N/A |
| | Natural Law | Alison Thomas | 157 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,787 | 10.1 | −6.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 57,389 | 80.6 | +4.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −3.2 | |

### Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Torbay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Rupert Allason | 29,029 | 54.0 | +1.4 |
| | Liberal | Nicholas Bye | 20,209 | 37.6 | −1.6 |
| | Labour | Gerald Taylor | 4,538 | 8.4 | +1.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,820 | 16.4 | +3.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 53,776 | 76.4 | +3.8 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +1.4 | |
General election 1983: Torbay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Frederic Bennett | 25,721 | 52.6 | −1.5 |
| | Liberal | Michael Mitchell | 19,166 | 39.2 | +16.1 |
| | Labour | Philip Rackley | 3,521 | 7.2 | −12.4 |
| | Independent | Anne Murray | 500 | 1.0 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,555 | 13.4 | −18.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,908 | 72.6 | −2.5 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +8.8 | |

### Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Torbay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Frederic Bennett | 36,099 | 54.1 | +5.7 |
| | Liberal | Michael Mitchell | 15,231 | 23.1 | −5.4 |
| | Labour | Elaine Fear | 12,919 | 19.6 | −3.5 |
| | Ecology | David Abrahams | 1,161 | 1.8 | N/A |
| | National Front | June Spry | 647 | 1.0 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 20,868 | 31.0 | +11.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 66,057 | 75.1 | +2.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +5.5 | |
General election October 1974: Torbay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Frederic Bennett | 30,208 | 48.4 | −0.2 |
| | Liberal | John Goss | 17,770 | 28.5 | −1.9 |
| | Labour | Jack Tench | 14,441 | 23.1 | +2.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,438 | 19.9 | +1.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 62,419 | 72.9 | −7.4 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −1.1 | |
General election February 1974: Torbay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Frederic Bennett | 33,163 | 48.6 | |
| | Liberal | Bridget Trethewey | 20,755 | 30.4 | |
| | Labour | Jack Tench | 14,389 | 21.1 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,408 | 18.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 68,307 | 80.3 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |