Heart Care in Torbay: A Call for Action

Reform UK Torbay sent the letter below demanding the cancellation to Devon’s Emergency Cardiac Care Merger Plan to prevent unnecessary loss of life. We are delighted that the Directors at the Integrated Care Board have now decided to cancel their plans. We believe that as the decision was made very soon after this letter was received that we could have been instrumental in their decision.

The NHS Devon Integrated Care Board’s decision to explore consolidating emergency cardiac services through a “test and learn” process leans heavily on the 2016 “Bigger, Better, Faster?” report by the South West Cardiovascular Strategic Clinical Network. This nine-year-old study, to which we have only been given access to an executive summary, suggests reducing Heart Attack Centres from ten to six or seven across the South West. While it claims marginal clinical impacts, it explicitly acknowledges “geographical inequity” for Torbay, where residents face longer travel times for life-saving interventions like Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (pPCI). This admission of adverse effects on Torbay’s access to emergency care raises serious questions about the report’s suitability as the foundation for such a critical decision. Torbay, with its higher-than-average prevalence of coronary heart disease, cannot afford to be sidelined by outdated evidence. The 2016 report’s failure to account for recent data, like the 2023/24 Torbay Joint Strategic Needs Assessment showing a 4.1% coronary heart disease rate against a 3.0% national average, underscores its obsolescence. Furthermore, the report’s own modelling highlights that consolidating services would disproportionately burden Torbay, increasing travel times by up to 28 minutes for emergency care. Relying on this aging study, which lacks transparency and fails to address current clinical realities, risks compromising patient safety and exacerbating health inequalities in an already vulnerable region. Basing a decision with such profound implications on a nine-year-old study that concedes harm to Torbay is simply not good enough. The NHS Devon Board must prioritize current, robust data and transparent public engagement to ensure decisions align with the Nolan Principles of objectivity and accountability. Torbay’s residents, who rely on the exceptional performance of their local emergency cardiac unit - ranked fifth nationally compared to Exeter’s 56th - deserve a process that values their lives over bureaucratic expediency. The board must reconsider this flawed approach and demand up-to-date evidence to protect, not undermine, the health of Torbay’s community.

The grooming gang scandal has left an indelible mark on the UK, with towns like Rotherham, Rochdale, and Telford exposing horrific cases of child sexual exploitation, often perpetrated by groups from specific ethnic backgrounds. These crimes met with delayed responses from authorities who feared accusations of racism, a hesitation that critics argue was exacerbated by the Equality Act 2010. This legislation, they contend, fostered a culture of caution that undermined justice by prioritizing the protection of group identities over the enforcement of the law. What follows is an exploration of how this act may have contributed to the scandal, alongside a case for its repeal, advocating a return to the principle of equality before the law to prevent such failures in the future. Enacted in 2010, the Equality Act consolidated the UK’s anti-discrimination laws into a single framework, protecting individuals from unfair treatment based on nine "protected characteristics," such as race, religion, and sex. It also introduced the Public Sector Equality Duty, which mandates public bodies to eliminate discrimination and promote good relations between different groups, aiming to ensure fairness across society. Yet, this emphasis on group protections has sparked controversy. Some assert that it created an environment where authorities hesitated to enforce the law, particularly when dealing with minority communities, out of fear of appearing biased. The grooming gang cases starkly illustrate this tension. In these incidents, organized groups of specific ethnic backgrounds exploited vulnerable young girls over years. Professor Alexis Jay’s 2014 report into Rotherham revealed that over 1,400 children were abused between 1997 and 2013, with authorities often aware of the crimes but reluctant to act. The report highlighted a chilling detail: staff avoided identifying the perpetrators’ ethnic origins, citing concerns about being labelled racist. This pattern of inaction repeated across multiple towns, pointing to a systemic failure widely attributed to a fear of breaching cultural sensitivities—a fear some tie directly to the Equality Act’s influence. At the core of this critique lies the Public Sector Equality Duty, which requires public bodies to "foster good relations" and eliminate discrimination. In practice, this may have discouraged decisive action against minority perpetrators in the grooming gang cases. Police and social services reportedly shied away from thorough investigations, wary of accusations of racial or religious prejudice, allowing crimes to persist unchecked. Critics argue that the act’s focus on group identity, rather than individual accountability, distorted the legal landscape, fostering a form of "reverse discrimination." By protecting certain communities from perceived bias, it led to an unequal application of the law, leaving victims without the justice they deserved. Yet, defenders of the Equality Act maintain that it remains a vital tool for safeguarding vulnerable groups from discrimination. They argue that the grooming gang scandal resulted from failures in policing and social services, not from the legislation itself. The law, they insist, is designed to prevent unfair treatment, not to shield criminals, and repealing it could weaken protections for minorities while unravelling decades of progress in areas like disability access and gender equity. Despite these defences, the argument for repeal gains traction. Critics contend that the Equality Act has shifted the UK away from the foundational principle of equality before the law, where individuals are judged solely on their actions, not their group affiliation. In the grooming gang scandal, this shift paralyzed authorities, enabling predators to exploit the system. Repealing the act and restoring equal treatment under the law would empower police and courts to act without fear of discrimination claims, refocusing justice on individual responsibility. Crimes could then be prosecuted regardless of the perpetrator’s background, ensuring a system that prioritizes victims over bureaucratic hesitation. This approach would not abandon anti-discrimination efforts but would streamline them into a clearer, less cumbersome framework. The grooming gang scandal laid bare a devastating flaw in the UK’s justice system: a fear of enforcing the law impartially, fuelled in part by the Equality Act 2010. While the act was intended to promote fairness, its emphasis on group protections has been exploited, leaving vulnerable children unprotected. Repealing it and returning to the principle of equality before the law offers a way forward - a path where justice is blind to race, religion, or status, and where future crimes can be prevented through fearless, impartial action. The time has come to place victims above political correctness and reaffirm that no one stands above the law.

Torbay, 30 May 2025 — Reform UK is calling for immediate public mobilisation following revelations at a well-attended public meeting on Thursday 29th May at The Imperial Hotel Torquay, hosted by the Torquay Chamber of Commerce. The meeting, which drew approximately 75 concerned citizens — including GPs, cardiac specialists, hospital trustees, journalists and local community figures — exposed deeply worrying plans to remove all emergency cardiac care from Torbay Hospital. The meeting featured a powerful address by Consultant Cardiologist Lisa Yung, who warned that Torbay’s emergency coronary services are at imminent risk of being moved to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RDE). If implemented, this would mean that anyone in South Devon experiencing a heart attack and dialling 999 would be transported directly to Exeter — bypassing Torbay entirely.

As the Chairman for Reform UK in Torbay, I am thrilled by the seismic shift we witnessed in the May 1st elections. Our party’s performance has not only defied the sceptics but has laid a robust foundation for transformative change in constituencies like ours. Nationally, Reform UK achieved unprecedented success — securing nearly 700 out of 1,640 contested local seats, gaining majorities on ten councils, winning the popular vote in 15 out of 23 authorities. We captured two mayoralties, including the inaugural positions in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull with East Yorkshire. In Staffordshire, we won 49 out of 62 seats to take control from the Conservatives. In West Northamptonshire, we went from no representation to holding 42 seats — securing a majority while unseating leaders from all major parties. These results are not just statistics. They reflect a growing connection with voters who feel disillusioned with the traditional parties. The Runcorn and Helsby by-election, where our candidate Sarah Pochin overturned a Labour majority of nearly 15,000 by just six votes, underscores our widening appeal across the political spectrum. For Torbay, these developments carry particular weight. In the 2024 General Election, I secured 18.8% of the vote and came third. That alone was a strong signal of the appetite for change among our local residents. These recent local election results now strengthen our platform and offer us renewed credibility as we work to take our message even further in the Bay. Torbay — once the jewel of the English Riviera — has been let down by years of under-investment and poor policy decisions. As someone who has spent much of my life in the tourism and leisure industries, I know first-hand what this area could be with the right leadership. It’s time we realised that potential and brought pride and opportunity back to our community. Our priority will be to revive the local economy, improve public services and ensure residents’ concerns are taken seriously. The media’s portrayal of Reform UK as a fringe movement has now been thoroughly discredited. Our ability to secure decisive victories across the country shows the scale of our support and the strength of our organisation. This momentum is no flash in the pan — it is part of a much broader political shift. Looking ahead, our commitment to key issues such as immigration, economic reform and restoring accountability in government remains unwavering. We are ready to challenge the old order and offer voters a strong, common-sense alternative built on sound policy and a belief in Britain’s potential. The May 1st elections have not only redefined Reform UK's standing — they have marked a turning point for British politics. Reform UK are now in pole position to win all upcoming elections. A new chapter has begun, and Torbay is ready to lead the way.

The disuse of such a prominent site in a prime location has sparked frustration from residents and fuelled political debate. While a deal has now been struck to hand over the site to ARC Marine an eco-engineering firm with plans to create a marine restoration centre opinion is far from united. The project promises to create jobs, build local talent and contribute to marine conservation efforts, which on the surface sounds commendable. But not everyone is convinced this is the best use of such a valuable space. Reform UK Torbay has voiced concerns about the lack of public consultation around the decision. Under the leadership of Gordon Scott, the party has argued that the site could be put to better use one that reflects what the people of Torbay actually want. Many locals have suggested that the land be returned to public use as open space or gardens, enhancing the harbour area and bringing long-term social value to the community. Former mayor Gordon Oliver has echoed these sentiments, warning against another project that benefits private interests without fully considering the needs of residents and local businesses. At the heart of the issue is a broader question of leadership and accountability. Steve Darling, Torbay's newly elected MP, has remained relatively quiet on the matter. His position both as a representative and as someone long-involved in local governance should place him in a prime position to steer this debate. But is he doing enough? Has he truly engaged with public opinion? As these decisions shape the very character of the town, it is fair to ask whether Steve Darling is the right person to deliver for Torbay. The situation with Living Coasts is more than a story about a closed zoo. It’s a reflection of the ongoing tension between centralised decisions and grassroots priorities. Reform UK Torbay continues to champion a more transparent, community-led approach one that puts residents at the centre, not on the sidelines. Whether those in charge are listening remains to be seen.

High street shops left to criminals - Why pay for useless apps when we need real police?

Torbay deserves real action, not excuses. Families in Torquay and Paignton are struggling, yet the homelessness crisis keeps getting worse. Over 1,600 people remain stuck on the housing register, a shocking 50% increase since 2018. The number of households in temporary accommodation has surged by 92% since 2019, with around 24 people sleeping rough every month. These are not just numbers. They are lives left in limbo by a broken system. Labour has failed the people of Torbay. Their latest Spring Statement introduced brutal welfare and public spending cuts, pushing 250,000 more people into poverty, including 50,000 children. More than 3 million households will suffer under their reckless austerity measures, with communities like Torbay hit the hardest. Those who rely on support have been abandoned while Labour prioritises political games over real solutions.

Care homes across the UK, including those in Torbay, are taking legal action against Rachel Reeves’ National Insurance hike - a policy that’s hitting private care providers hard and threatening to destabilise both the care sector and the NHS. This £26 billion tax increase, effective from April 2025, forces care homes to shoulder a £940 million annual burden, pushing many to the edge of collapse. If they fall, the NHS - already stretched thin - will face even greater strain as demand surges, leaving Torbay’s elderly and vulnerable at risk.