MPs Watch: Rwanda bill, Post Office scandal and rough sleeping in Harrogate

Last updated Feb 1, 2024

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 January, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda bill passed its third reading, while special educational needs were found to be North Yorkshire Council’s biggest financial challenge.

Here’s what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

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

Mr Jones spoke in the House of Commons on January 11 about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) being the biggest financial challenge for North Yorkshire Council.
On January 12, Mr Jones spoke to councillors and answered questions at North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee.
On January 17, Mr Jones voted in favour of the Rwanda bill third reading.
Mr Jones visited Hampsthwaite Church of England Primary School on January 19 to speak with pupils about the role of an MP.
On January 23, Mr Jones spoke in the House of Commons about the two-week rough sleeping encampment in Harrogate’s Crescent in September.

When we contacted Mr Jones for comment, his office sent details of his engagements in January.

They included an on-site visit in Knaresborough with Northern Powergrid and a meeting with North Yorkshire Council’s chief executive, Richard Flinton.

Mr Jones also met with Health Secretary Victoria Atkins to discuss Harrogate NHS Foundation Trust’s plans for Harrogate hospital, including the removal of RAAC.

He also asked the Digital, Culture, Media and Sports Secretary about sustaining a competitive grassroots environment in sports with a smaller following.

Mr Jones signed the Holocaust Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, and also attended an event with the National Autistic Society.

He met with Richard Sheriff, chief executive of Red Kite Learning Trust, to discuss SEND, and attended the annual holocaust service at Harrogate Synagogue.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

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

Mr Smith made one spoken appearance in the House of Commons in January, during which he supported the Northern Ireland Executive Formation bill.
On January 17, Mr Smith also voted in favour of the Rwanda bill third reading.
Mr Smith also presented quadruple amputee Luke Mortimer, 10, who is the Prime Minister’s 2,238thPoint of Light, with an award.

We contacted Mr Smith to see if he would like to share any particular highlights. His office responded with a review of his January engagements.

These included visits to Evolve Ripon and Roecliffe CE Primary School.

Mr Smith also met Tynisha Adby, chief executive of Ripon-based Visible Autism, to discuss her work to help people with autism.

He also held regular surgery appointments across Skipton and Ripon.

His office also said Mr Smith welcomes the news that North Yorkshire Council is one of 11 local authorities to share in £55 million to research health inequalities and improve health outcomes in local areas. His office added he was “really pleased” to see the funding coming through.

Keir Mather, Selby and Ainsty MP.

In Selby and Ainsty, which includes parts of south Harrogate, here is what we found on Labour MP Keir Mather:

Mr Mather posted on his Facebook page 18 times in January. None of the updates related to areas of his constituency which fall in Harrogate.
Mr Mather shared a letter sent to a resident of his constituency, which outlined his stance on the Post Office Compensation Bill, following the Horizon scandal. He said he will “push the government to do whatever it takes to ensure the postmasters get justice”.
On January 17, Mr Mather voted against the Rwanda bill third reading.
Mr Mather also spoke in the House of Commons on January 9 about the lack of NHS dental provisions in his constituency. He did not name any dental clinics in the south Harrogate areas.

When we contacted Mr Mather for comment, his office sent details of his engagements for January.

They included appearing on Politics North, during which he outlined Labour’s plan to tackle knife crime, as well as welcoming UK export finance to the constituency and discussed how it can support local businesses.

Mr Mather also spoke in a Westminster Hall debate on fairness for farmers.