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02
Apr
MPs Watch: Lib Dem conference, benefits cuts and women’s health
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 March, the Liberal Democrats held their spring conference in Harrogate and Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed the government’s planned changes to the benefits system.
Here’s what we discovered after analysing our MPs’ online presence.
Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat – Harrogate and Knaresborough
What did he do in Parliament?
Tom Gordon voted more than 30 times in Parliament this month.
A number of those votes were on variations to the National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill, including motions to disagree with amendments made by the House of Lords.
Mr Gordon voted in favour of the Winter Fuel Payment Bill on Opposition Day, as well as clauses two and 19 of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill at the report stage.
He also secured an adjournment debate, which will take place on April 3, to raise the issue of adoption breakdown.
During a debate on changes to personal independent payments (PIP) and how it will impact carer’s allowance, Mr Gordon also asked:
As someone who lives with ulcerative colitis, I am all too acquainted with the fact that health conditions can vary wildly. We know that people with conditions such as Crohn’s and colitis and their carers already have issues accessing PIP and carer’s allowance. What consideration has the Minister given to conditions such as those in the context of these cuts?
What did he do in his constituency?
Mr Gordon visited Willow Tree Primary in Harrogate on March 7. He said on X, formerly Twitter, the pupils spoke to him about littering in the local community, as well as “put him to the test with some tough and thoughtful questions”.
He visited Staveley Nature Reserve alongside Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and its chief executive, Rachel Bice. Mr Gordon praised the trust's conservation work.
Later in the month, Mr Gordon welcomed Harrogate High School pupils to parliament, where he held a Q&A session with them.
What else?
Mr Gordon is a keen runner and often posts about completing a parkrun followed by a coffee.
This month the MP said he recorded a personal best of 25 minutes and 14 seconds. He also enjoyed a coffee at The Saints afterwards.
Mr Gordon welcomed Liberal Democrats aplenty to Harrogate this month. As part of the spring conference, held at the Convention Centre, he gave a speech to open the event.
Lib Dem MPs enjoyed a boating trip on the River Nidd in Knaresborough, a trip to Bettys and a “chippy tea” – all alongside our local MP.
The Stray Ferret approached Mr Gordon for comment. He said:
It’s been a busy month. I’ve visited a number of our schools, including St Aidan’s and Rossett, to talk to students, as well as Staveley nature reserve and a number of hospitals and clinics. It’s also been helpful to talk with several businesses, particularly those concerned about the foolish changes the government are making to Business Property Relief and employer’s National Insurance Contributions.
In Parliament, I’ve raised issues facing veterans and people with Type 1 Diabetes, as well as opposing the government’s cruel and misguided welfare benefit cuts for disabled people. Last weekend, the Lib Dem Spring Conference was a great triumph, and it was an honour to welcome my fellow Lib Dems to Harrogate for the event. I’ve also launched a petition for disabled people to be able to use their bus passes throughout the day, not just at off-peak times. Now I’m looking forward to a busy April, with more visits and more opportunities to stand up for my constituents in Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Sir Alec Shelbrooke
Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Conservative – Wetherby and Easingwold
What did he do in Parliament?
Sir Alec voted in Parliament 15 times throughout March.
He voted in favour of clauses two and eight of the Finance Bill at the report stage, as well as the 67th amendment.
However, he voted against the third reading of the Finance Bill.
During a debate on the Employment Rights Bill on March 11, Sir Alec raised concerns about women suffering from gynaecological conditions in the workplace. He made a number of spoken contributions during the debate, including:
The Minister may correct me, but I do not believe the provisions around menstrual health — the menopause strategy and so on — include endometriosis, which can be crippling for people in the workplace. I may not have seen it in the Bill, but does the Minister have any plans to ensure that this becomes a protected area of sick leave? Endometriosis is devastating for many women, but at the moment, they are struggling to get this terrible disease recognised in the workplace.
What did he do in his constituency?
Sir Alec visited Sicklinghall Primary School, where he said pupils were “engaged and full of insightful questions about politics”.
As part of VisitEngland Tourism Week, the MP highlighted some attractions and areas within his constituency. These included Boroughbridge, Newby Hall, Harewood House, Spofforth Castle and more.
On March 14, Sir Alec said on social media he is working with parish councils to fight the “sharp toll hike” for Aldwark Bridge and will work to represent residents.
When the Stray Ferret approached Sir Alec for comment on this month’s engagements, he said:
Earlier this month, I represented constituents at the public inquiry held to determine whether the toll on the Aldwark Bridge should be increased. Readers may wonder why this requires an inquiry and the answer lies in legislation: when the Aldwark Bridge Act of 1772 gave powers to John Thompson to build a toll bridge to replace the dangerous ferry crossing, it followed – as amended by the Transport Charges Act of 1954 – that the Secretary of State must approve any increase in toll to ensure it is proportionate.
The proposals today would increase cost to £1040 a year for residents who make daily trips across the bridge to take children to school, etc. I’m not opposed to a toll increase full stop, but I believe it would be more appropriate to link future rises with inflation as opposed to the immediate 150 per cent increase.
What else?
Sir Alec shared his views online on changes to the Sentencing Council’s guidelines published by the Ministry of Justice.
In the video, he said:
The Sentencing Council instructed Parliament to put, on a statutory basis, that ethnic minorities, cultural and religious groups should be given lower sentences. This is fundamentally wrong.
I’ve always believed there should be no barrier to opportunity. But equally, everybody should be equal under the law.
Sir Alec also made a public appeal to locate living relatives of flight lieutenant, John Burton Shillitoe, who was born in Kirk Hammerton. He said:
I’m supporting a campaign to recognise the service of pilots from the Photographic Recognisance Unit (PRU), who flew over enemy territory during the Second World War.
When the Stray Ferret approached Sir Alec for comment, he also said:
This week, the Chancellor delivered the Spring Statement in the House. As businesses in Wetherby & Easingwold have been reporting to me - the economy is sluggish, and growth is now in reverse.
The impact of the increase in National Insurance contributions next month has already led to redundancies, borrowing cost are higher because of extra government borrowing and tax rises announced in the Autumn Budget. For households, energy costs are rising, inflation is forecast to rise to around 4 per cent in the autumn, and this means the Chancellor is now forced to cut spending.
As the dust settles on the statement, I'll be out and about across Wetherby & Easingwold listening to how this news is likely to impact residents.
Julian Smith
Sir Julian Smith, Conservative – Skipton and Ripon
What did he do in Parliament?
Sir Julian voted 37 times in Parliament this month.
He voted in favour of clause 36 and amendments 188, 209 and 210 to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill at report stage. But he voted against the third reading of the same bill.
Sir Julian made three spoken contributions in the Commons Chamber this month.
During a debate on sitting days in the Courts and Tribunals service, he asked:
Does the Lord Chancellor agree that one way of getting cash into the criminal justice system is to reduce the cost of the civil system? May I urge her to continue to consider alternative methods of dispute resolution, particularly mediation within the civil system?
What did he do in his constituency?
Sir Julian said the newly refurbished police and fire station in Ripon is “fantastic”, and felt the project is “a testament to our dedication to enhancing community safety and supporting our emergency services”.
Sir Julian visited a number of places and welcomed students from schools within his constituency this month, but they did not fall in the Harrogate district.
What else?
According to a Parliamentary register of members’ financial interests, uploaded on March 10, Sir Julian recently sold two properties in London.
The register says the properties were residential, one of which was sold on February 14 and the other on February 28, and yielded a rental income of more than £10,000 a year.
On March 27, Sir Julian attended a Parliamentary event held by Bring Kids Back UA – an initiative led by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Sir Julian said the event was held to support Ukraine’s fight to reunite abducted children with their families, adding:
The UK must stand firm against Russia’s war crimes & help bring these children home.
On International Women’s Day (March 8), Sir Julian encouraged female constituents to register to be a local, national or mayoral candidate for the Conservatives.
When the Stray Ferret contacted Sir Julian for comment, he highlighted a number of engagements throughout March.
These included meeting with Royal Mail representatives to discuss the planned closure of the Grassington Sorting Office, as well as holding meetings about the proposed closure of Arla Foods’ site in Settle.
He also asked the government to look at switching funding from capital budgets to revenue budgets to protect children’s hospices from Labour’s bill to increase National Insurance contributions.
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