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03
Nov
MPs Watch: Autumn Budget, weapons supply and Harrogate Spring Water expansion plans
Every month, the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.
In October, Chancellor Rachel Reeves gave Labour’s first Budget in 14 years. She chose to increase employers’ National Insurance Contributions and raise minimum wage by nearly 7%.
Here’s what we know after analysing our MPs’ online presence.
Tom Gordon
Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat – Harrogate and Knaresborough
What did he do in Parliament?
This month, Mr Gordon voted seven times in the House of Commons.
He was elected to be part of the government’s Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee.
Mr Gordon voted against a reasoned amendment to the second reading of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill, but he voted in favour of amendment four of the Great British Energy Bill at the report stage.
He gave his maiden speech in the House of Commons – which is the first speech made in the Chamber by a new MP – in which he acknowledged the “hard work” of Andrew Jones, his Conservative predecessor. He also spoke about about the Liberal Democrat Conference being held in Harrogate next year and his experience living with ulcerative colitis.
On October 10, Mr Gordon contributed to the Leeds and West Yorkshire tram debate. He asked if the Secretary of State for Transport will ensure a mass transit system in Leeds connects to places like Harrogate to create a “combined approach for the entire region”.
Mr Gordon also asked the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are being taken to support grassroots football.
What did he do in his constituency?
Throughout October, Mr Gordon visited Henshaws College to see the work it does to support students.
He visited Chain Lane Community Hub in Knaresborough, before meeting residents affected by major flooding in Knaresborough in May.
On October 12, Mr Gordon attended a coffee morning in aid of Bilton Conservation Group, where he said he won some blue napkins in the tombola.
Mr Gordon openly opposed Harrogate Spring Water’s plans to expand its bottling plant this month. He said after speaking to “thousands of people”, he is yet to find anyone who is in favour of the expansion.
He also established the Harrogate Task Force this month, which brought together community members and organisations to address issues the town faces. These included crime and anti-social behaviour, homelessness, empty retail units and transport concerns.
What else?
Mr Gordon scrutinised Labour’s Budget on October 30, saying it is “more of the same” with “no commitment to solve the social care crisis”.
He is a keen runner – as we find in most of our monthly analyses – and took part in the local Parkrun.
On October 5, Mr Gordon posted a photo of his new haircut by Benbarbers on Commercial Street, followed by an evening walk around Fewston Reservoir.
Sir Alec Shelbrooke
Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Conservative – Wetherby and Easingwold
What did he do in Parliament?
Sir Alec voted nine times in the House of Commons in October.
He voted in favour of the opposition day bills for Winter Fuel Payment and VAT on private schools.
Sir Alec also backed plans to abolish bishops’ seats in the House of Lords by voting in favour of the reasoned amendment to the second reading of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill.
On October 15, Sir Alec called for a continual supply of weapons to Israel in light of an attack by Hezbollah.
The MP also submitted several written questions throughout October. This included asking the Secretary of State for Transport whether she held discussions with Northern Rail on fare prosecutions.
Sir Alec also spoke about unpaid internships in the House of Commons. He said interns should be classed as workers and hopes to ban unpaid internships.
What did he do in his constituency?
Sir Alec interacted a lot in his constituency throughout October, but none of the areas fell within the Harrogate district.
Sir Alec joined HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire and the mayor of Wetherby to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Great Sale of Wetherby on October 12.
He congratulated Easingwold Town Council on being crowned Yorkshire in Bloom’s Town and Parish Council of the year, and asked encouraged local sports groups to apply for grant funding.
Sir Alec also visited Alne Primary School and supported plans for a flood alleviation scheme in Tadcaster.
What else?
Sir Alec shared a petition to stop Labour from cutting Winter Fuel Allowances for pensioners several times throughout October.
On the topic of finances, Sir Alec heavily scrutinised the Budget. In a blog uploaded to his website, Sir Alec wrote:
With notable irony, the Chancellor, who once claimed she wanted growth to be the government’s number one priority, delivered a budget that the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) say will reduce economic growth.
He said the “only bit of good news” that came from the Budget was cuts to duty on draught beer.
Julian Smith
Sir Julian Smith, Conservative – Skipton and Ripon
What did he do in Parliament?
Sir Julian voted three times in the House of Commons this month.
He voted in favour of amendments six and eight of the Great British Energy Bill at the report stage but voted again at the third reading of the same bill.
Ahead of the Budget, Sir Julian also asked the Prime Minister to look at increasing funding for those with special educational needs and disabilities across North Yorkshire.
Sir Julian also contributed to debates about Northern Ireland City Deals and water companies in October.
He submitted several written questions, including questions about potential lead contamination from abandoned mines.
What he did in his constituency?
Sir Julian met leaders of CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale – on October 8 to discuss how local breweries in Skipton and Ripon can be supported further.
He went to Hill Top Farm near Masham to hear about sustainable farming methods and visited North Rigton CE Primary School to learn about work to support children born prematurely.
On October 18, he went to Yorkshire Cancer Research’s refurbished Ripon store. He said he “can’t speak highly enough” of the people working for the charity.
On October 30, Sir Julian urged North Yorkshire Council to remove the overtaking lane on the A61 at South Stainley. He also encouraged the council’s environment directorate to approve plans to lower the speed limit on the stretch of road between Ripley and Ripon.
What else?
After the Budget, Sir Julian launched a survey for constituents’ feedback on Labour's policies. He said:
The Chancellor’s budget has a direct impact on people’s daily lives, from support for local businesses to funding for essential services. It is important that I hear from you about what is working, what is not working, and what you feel is needed.
Your feedback will guide my work as I represent our community’s interests in Parliament.
This month, the Stray Ferret asked Sir Julian who he is backing in the Tory leadership race, but his office declined to comment.
It said:
Julian has not made any public comment on who he has supported at the leadership election and does not intend to do so as this is now a matter for Conservative members.
On October 29, he also urged constituents to take part in the NHS’s ‘We Need to Talk’ survey, which asks for feedback on how local healthcare services can be improved.
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