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 September, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a major shift in the government’s climate policies, including delaying the ban on the sale of diesel and petrol cars.

Meanwhile, in Harrogate, the saga over the Station Gateway project continued with council officials announcing the authority would explore alternative options for the scheme.

We asked Ripon MP Julian Smith and Selby and Ainsty MP Keir Mather if they would like to highlight anything in particular, but did not receive a response.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

• On September 1, Mr Jones attended a Harrogate war memorial centenary event.


• Mr Jones met with Alzheimer’s Research UK in Parliament on September 6.


• On September 8, he met with North Yorkshire and Humber Integrated Care Board, alongside regional MPs, to discuss NHS dentistry.


• Mr Jones then raised the issue of NHS dentistry access in Harrogate during Prime Minister’s Question Time on September 13.


• On September 14, he raised a question to the Department for Business and Trade regarding support for companies exporting and asked the Leader of the House for a debate on SEND funding.


• He chaired a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport across the North. 


• Mr Jones described the Prime Minister’s announcement of a shift in climate policy as “practical and pragmatic” on September 21.


• Mr Jones visited the refurbished Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre on September 22.


• On September 25, he met with constituents to discuss anti-social behaviour concerns at the former Kimberley Hotel. 


• He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service on September 26 that he hoped North Yorkshire Council will use money earmarked for the £11.2m Station Gateway to create a more welcoming space in Harrogate.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

• Mr Smith spoke three times in the House of Commons in September, two contributions were on Northern Ireland and another on paediatric acute-onset neuro- psychiatric syndrome.


• He visited Fountains Abbey near Ripon to be given an update on its plans to renovate the site.


• Mr Smith tweeted 14 times in September, which included to posts to promote various government grants and initiatives.


• He updated his website six times in September, which included one item specific to Ripon.

In Selby and Ainsty, which includes rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Mather:

• Mr Mather was sworn in as the new MP for Selby and Ainsty on September 4.


• He made 20 written questions to government departments in September, including topics such as access to GPs, anti-social behaviour and gender based violence.


• On September 1, Mr Mather tweeted that he met the chief executive of Yorkshire Housing, Nick Atkin, to discuss “how to win the race to net zero in North Yorkshire by investing in affordable and sustainable housing for all”.


• Mr Mather tweeted six times in September, which included topics such as meeting with the National Farmers’ Union and being sworn into parliament.


• He updated his Facebook page 11 times in September. Posts included SEND provision in Selby and sharing concerns over RAAC in schools.


• Mr Mather has yet to give his maiden speech in the House of Commons.

Read more:

• MPs Watch: New MP, River Nidd and Mayoral election


• Any vehicle can park in Knaresborough electric vehicle bays, says council