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01
Jul
MPs Watch: Assisted dying bill, delayed post and Knaresborough Bed Race
Every month, the Stray Ferret analyses what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.
In June, MPs voted in favour of legalising assisted dying and backed a change in legislation that decriminalises abortions later in pregnancy.
Here’s what we discovered after analysing our MPs’ online presence.
Sir Alec Shelbrooke
Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Conservative – Wetherby and Easingwold
What did he do in Parliament?
Sir Alec voted 27 times in Parliament during June.
He has been vocal about his concerns on the assisted dying bill, which he believes has been rushed through prematurely, and voted against the bill at its third reading.
Ahead of the bill narrowly passing, Sir Alec said:
Whatever you think of the principle of assisted dying - and there are good arguments for and against - the proposed legislation is weak, rushed and has more risks than safeguards.
Six months have passed since second reading, yet in that time there's still been very little debate in the House. Only 19% of amendments have been debated and only 14% of MPs have had the opportunity to take part.
This is no way to make new law, especially law of such profound impact.
What did he do in his constituency?
Sir Alec visited a number of places across his constituency throughout June, none of which fell into the Harrogate district.
What else?
Sir Alec celebrated British Beer Day on June 15, when he posted a video of himself enjoying a locally brewed pint.
He said local pubs and breweries are the “fabric of our community”.
Sir Alec said the announcement of a national inquiry into grooming gangs was “long overdue” and called Sir Keir Starmer’s trade deal with President Trump “half-baked”.
Sir Alec recognised Armed Forces Day on June 28 and responded to Labour’s spending review on June 12, when he said:
Record-high borrowing costs. Shrinking fiscal headroom. So, where’s the money coming from? High streets across Wetherby and Easingwold need real support, not wishful spending.
The Stray Ferret contacted Sir Alec for comment. He reiterated his concerns about the assisted dying legislation being rushed, adding:
Had the government agreed to my calls for debates on the floor of the House, in protected government time, MPs like me may have been convinced of the arguments had firmer safeguards been proposed, but as things stood, I was not satisfied that this legislation is safe or sound. Nevertheless, the bill passed with a much-reduced majority and will now go to the Lords for consideration.
Julian Smith
Sir Julian Smith, Conservative – Skipton and Ripon
What did he do in Parliament?
Sir Julian voted 33 times in Parliament this month.
He voted against the third reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill after raising concerns about it.
Following the free vote, Sir Julian said:
Today I voted again against the assisted dying bill. I believe that this bill is deeply flawed and that it prioritises those who would like the option for an assisted death over our collective duty and responsibility to protect those who might feel compelled to choose it.
Many disability and medical experts have rightly and passionately campaigned against the bill. I hope that as it passes to the House of Lords, there will be further scrutiny of the bill and greater protections for the most vulnerable in society.
During a debate on the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill, Sir Julian urged the government not to underestimate the importance of whistleblowing, which he said "presents a real opportunity to encourage people to come forward”, such as women who have been abused at Harrogate Army Foundation College.
Sir Julian also urged the government to introduce a system that ensures job seekers are “serious” about work. It came after R and J Butchers in Kirkby Malzeard received a string of bogus job applications.
What did he do in his constituency?
On June 30, Sir Julian visited Cancer Research UK’s Ripon store, which is seeking more local volunteers.
He thanked the team for the “warm welcome” and urged social media followers to consider taking on a voluntary role at the store.
Sir Julian visited a number of other places across his constituency, none of which fall into the Harrogate district.
What else?
Sir Julian published his response to the recent Spending Review. He said projected increases in public sector pay and large-scale infrastructure projects will place “additional pressure” on public finances.
“Independent experts have already warned that these decisions could lead to further tax rises in the autumn Budget”, Sir Julian added.
When the Stray Ferret contacted Sir Julian for comment, he said:
I was pleased to welcome North Yorkshire Business Week 2025, which showcased the innovation and resilience of our local enterprises. Events across the region highlighted the importance of supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, and I remain committed to ensuring they have the tools and opportunities to thrive.
I also encouraged residents to take part in North Yorkshire Council’s consultation, Our First Conversation, to develop a new Local Plan for the county. This is a key opportunity for constituents to shape how services are delivered across the county, and I urge everyone to give their views to the consultation.
In Westminster, I continued to press the government on intellectual property theft in the creative industries, calling for stronger protections for artists, designers, and innovators. I also renewed my call for mandatory autism training for teachers and urged the government to provide better healthcare access for farmers, who often face unique challenges in rural areas.
I also welcomed the government’s U-turn on winter fuel allowance eligibility, which will provide much-needed support to pensioners across Skipton and Ripon this winter. I also supported new legislation to protect animals in shelters and encouraged constituents to apply for tickets to attend Prime Minister’s Questions.
I responded to the latest claimant count figures, highlighted the need for stronger jobseeker accountability and better support for local employers.
Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat – Harrogate and Knaresborough
What did he do in Parliament?
Mr Gordon voted 27 times in Parliament this month.
He has strongly supported the assisted dying bill from the outset, and was a member of the committee that scrutinised the bill.
Following the vote, Mr Gordon said:
I’m immensely proud of Parliament today, we’ve seen politics at its best. The debate was constructive from both sides and it was moving to hear moving stories from so many of my colleagues.
For me the bill is about moving away from an unacceptable status quo, and in the direction of compassion. We need to give people the freedom of choice at the end of their life.
During a debate on Pride Month, Mr Gordon said he was “really proud” to represent Harrogate and Knaresborough, and cited flags erected across Knaresborough in support of Pride Month.
What did he do in his constituency?
Mr Gordon took part in the Great Knaresborough Bed Race for the first time this month in aid of Knaresborough Town AFC.
He said taking part in the event was “nothing short of magical” and a real reminder of what makes Knaresborough so special.
Figures revealed only 77.7% of first-class mail in the HG postcode area was delivered on time, which is short of the 93% target.
Mr Gordon this month urged Ofcom, which overseas Royal Mail services, to address what he described as “unacceptable delays” locally.
He also celebrated International Yoga Day by taking part in a yoga session in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens on June 27 and visited the Yorkshire Veteran Car Run in Harrogate on June 22.
What else?
Following news of major investment into West Yorkshire transport provisions, Mr Gordon said it was “disappointing” that North Yorkshire had not received the same and criticised Labour mayor David Skaith for not doing more.
He said a plan to provide good cross-county transport must be formed.
Mr Gordon also called the recent Spending Review a “missed opportunity to strengthen public services and revitalise the economy”.
On June 20, he met men’s mental health charity Movember UK as part of men’s health week.
When the Stray Ferret approached Mr Gordon for comment, he said:
The absolute highlight of this month has to have been the Great Knaresborough Bed Race. It was a fantastic event enjoyed by all, and I feel so privileged to have been able to run it myself along with my team, making history in the process as the first MP to run it in its 59-year history.
Elsewhere in Harrogate and Knaresborough, I’ve continued to visit local organisations and events, with some particular highlights being attending the meeting of the Harrogate and Knaresborough area committee, the Vintage Car Run in Harrogate and officially opening the Chain Lane Community Centre after the work to improve its energy efficiency was completed.
The top Parliamentary highlight has to have been the passing of the assisted dying bill, which will allow terminally ill people to end their lives should they wish to. I’ve also raised the issue of the seemingly never-ending roadworks in our towns, as well as campaigning for a new prostate cancer drug to be rolled out, and hosting Yorkshire Cancer Research as they launched their new report. We’ve also had the government’s spending review, that failed to give any meaningful funding to North Yorkshire, or back my campaign to see the railway line between Knaresborough and York dualled.
I’ve been calling on the government to change course and ensure rural areas like ours don’t get ignored. I’m looking forward to a busy July – and the start of Parliament’s summer recess, a great opportunity to visit more local organisations and events across our towns and villages.
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