Every month the Stray Ferret has been trying to find out what our local MPs, Andrew Jones and Julian Smith, have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In June, the district began to emerge from lockdown so we wanted to know how active they have been during this critical period. We asked both Mr Jones and Mr Smith if they would like to highlight anything in particular, but we did not receive a response at the time of publication.

So here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

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

• On June 24, Mr Jones voted against weekly coronavirus testing for NHS and social care staff.


• In the House of Commons, Andrew Jones asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson to clarify guidance for hospitality businesses. He said “councils should be encouraged” to use outdoor spaces to help hospitality businesses in Harrogate and Knaresborough survive.


• Earlier in June, he asked health secretary Matt Hancock what steps are being taken to provide further coronavirus testing for BAME and vulnerable people.


• He’s published two stories on his website, both about the closure of Stray FM. He said he has written to the owners of Bauer Media “seeking reassurances”. He does not say if he received a response.


• One of Mr Jones’s nine tweets in June was that he found some car keys near to Tewit Well.


• On June 26, Mr Jones spoke out against racist language on social media. He said: “This week I have been included in tweets using what I consider to be racist language. I have reported all the tweets and blocked both the users responsible. It isn’t acceptable; it won’t be overlooked.”


• Litter on the Stray has been the talk of the town in June and Mr Jones took part in a photo where he collected litter with some Harrogate councillors.


• He filmed a video for #PrideMonth expressing his support for the organisation Pride in Diversity.

In Ripon here is what we found on Mr Smith:

• Mr Smith also voted against weekly coronavirus testing for NHS and social care staff.


• In June, 40% of his original tweets related to Irish politics, despite the fact he was sacked as Northern Ireland secretary five months ago.


• On Twitter, Mr Smith hailed the "stunning viewing numbers" of BBC drama The Salisbury Poisoning.


• On June 26, he visited businesses in Ripon including Hambleton Brewery and the Little Ripon Bookshop to see how lockdown was affecting them.


• A tweet of his went viral receiving over six thousand "likes" after he joked about his dismissal from government.


• Speaking in a Commons debate he warned that businesses are still not prepared for the realities of Brexit. He said: “Many businesses haven’t realised the consequences of coming out of the single market and the customs union. We can start preparing them for that reality.”


• On his Facebook page, he said he has "received an update" from Homes England on the Ripon Barracks site, but he didn't elaborate to his constituents what this update was.


• It is now almost six months since Mr Smith's website was updated with any news.


• Mr Smith has held telephone surgeries for his constituents throughout June.