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12
Oct
Andrew Jones challenges Tom Gordon’s figures over MPs’ parliamentary records
Former Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has challenged figures published by his successor, Tom Gordon, which claimed the Liberal Democrat had spoken more frequently in Parliament than his predecessor.
Mr Jones, the former Conservative MP, also questioned Mr Gordon’s voting record, arguing that MPs’ participation in parliamentary votes is a more important measure of their work than the number of times they speak in the Commons.
Mr Gordon, who ended Mr Jones’s 14-year tenure as MP at the 2024 general election, posted a ‘Harrogate & Knaresborough MPs edition’ of the card game Top Trumps on Tuesday, October 6. The game gives ratings based on numerical data.
The graphic said Mr Gordon had made 255 spoken contributions during his first two years in Parliament.
It added: “Compared to 754 by my predecessor’s 14 years in office, that’s more than double his yearly average.”
But Mr Jones has disputed the figure, pointing to Hansard, the official record of parliamentary proceedings, which records 1,650 spoken contributions during his time as MP between 2010 and 2024.
Mr Jones also highlighted the difference between the two MPs’ voting participation rates.
He said he participated in 91.7% of Commons votes during his four parliamentary terms, compared with a current participation rate of 67.5% for Mr Gordon.
Mr Jones, who became chair of Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative Association this year, said:
There can be legitimate reasons to miss a vote, such as the MP is off sick or away on parliamentary business or they are a current or former minister so find themselves on other commitments. But for a backbencher of a minor party to miss so many is interesting.
Only one person from Harrogate and Knaresborough can cast a vote in the House. Voting is the ultimate reason why MPs are there. Votes decide what becomes law and when the government cannot command enough votes it is chucked out of office.
I felt it my duty to vote. The numbers reflect that.
Mr Jones also questioned why Mr Gordon was focusing on the parliamentary speaking record of his predecessor.
He said: “What’s he doing worrying about the speaking rate of former MPs? He should be working to get stuff done for this constituency.”
'A bit of fun'
Asked to clarify the figures, a spokesperson for Mr Gordon said they referred to spoken contributions during Westminster debates and questions but not during select committees.
They added:
“If you're comparing it to Andrew's 1,650 Hansard figure, Tom's number is 422 — still a higher yearly average.”
As for his lower voting record, the spokesperson said:
“Abstentions are not recorded; his voting record doesn't reflect attendance in the chamber and participation in debate.”
They added: “The Liberal Democrats are also the third largest party in the Commons, not a minor one. There is a distinction between the two.”
Mr Gordon said:
The Top Trumps card was a bit of fun, but the numbers behind it are serious and they're straight from Parliament.
What counts is what the time in the chamber delivers. That's disabled people able to travel when they need to, a rebuilt Harrogate College, and a SEND school for local families.
When I abstain, it's because neither option on the table is right for people here. My predecessor voted however his party told him. I vote for Harrogate and Knaresborough, and I'd rather do that openly than vote for something bad just to keep a percentage up.
‘A bit weird’
The UK Parliament website says no official record is kept of those who choose to abstain when there is a division in the Commons.
However, Mr Jones said “the casual dismissal that abstentions are not recorded is factually wrong”, adding:
Not voting is recorded. If you go to the votes in parliament website run by the House of Commons, for each vote there are three click throughs — members voting aye, members voting no and no vote recorded. People can see for themselves. Votes have been missed on important subjects, including the economy, immigration, health etc.
He said “the substantive point is that votes in parliament matter and Tom Gordon is missing so many of them”, adding:
“I still think counting talking is a bit weird. He is talking about talking. This is not the same as action. Attempting to distract from a record of missing so many votes will not cut it. MPs should be voting on behalf of their constituents or a constituency is absent when it comes to decision time.
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