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31
Jan
MPs Watch: Trip to Switzerland, police reforms and social media restrictions
Every month, the Stray Ferret analyses what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and the House of Commons.
In January, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited China for a state visit. He held meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, aimed at resetting ties and securing economic deals with the country.
The UK outlined plans to merge its 43 police forces in England and Wales into 12 so-called ‘mega-forces’.
The Treasury announced a 15% rates relief for pubs and live music venue to ease pressure on them.
Here’s what we discovered after analysing our MPs’ online presence. We ask each MP for a quote, which is included if it's provided.
Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat - Harrogate and Knaresborough
What did he do in Parliament?
Mr Gordon voted 19 times in January.
He voted in favour of the opposition to the proposed Jury Trials Bill, which would scrap jury trials for defendants facing prison sentences of three years or less.
The MP voted against the third reading of the National Insurance Contributions Bill.
He also voted for the The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial) Order 2025.
Mr Gordon spoke in Parliament about the 9.30am disabled bus pass rule, describing it as "outdated and unfair".
He also spoke in parliament to ask about the progress of the Assisted Dying Bill.
The MP also pressed ministers to set out steps to guarantee the enforceability of a ban on Grok AI following its generation of sexual images on Elon Musk's social media platform, "X".
What did he do in his constituency?
Mr Gordon visited Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity to see new hysteroscopy equipment part-funded by his marathon fundraiser last year.
He also called for the government to provide further support and recognition for local martial arts clubs following Harrogate's Master Kambiz Ali was awarded an MBE.
The MP also appeared on Ed Vaizey’s Constituency Knockout on Times Radio, sharing quirky facts about Harrogate and Knaresborough such as Knaresborough's bed race and the disappearance of Agatha Christie in Harrogate.
What else?
Mr Gordon is a keen runner and we have reported on this on many occasions. This month, he announced he would be running the London Marathon in April.
Meanwhile, he welcomed the U-turn made on Labour’s Digital ID policy.
Mr Gordon appeared on GB News to talk about the defection of Robert Jenrick from the Conservatives. “This is a real big question mark over the Conservative party’s future,” he said.
He also attended the Campaign for Gigi drop-in in Parliament to support action to keep babies and young children safe in nurseries.
When we contacted Mr Gordon for comment, he said:
This month, I pressed ministers to keep vital upgrades to the York Area Capacity Scheme on the table, after recent Northern Powerhouse Rail plans failed to include them. These upgrades are essential to cutting congestion, boosting capacity and supporting growth – exactly the kind of improvements needed if the Government is serious about delivering growth.
I also led a parliamentary debate calling for tougher action against failing water companies, demanding real accountability from bosses who preside over pollution and rising bills. I called for Yorkshire Water’s CEO, Nicola Shaw, to resign, and for Ofwat to be replaced with a tougher regulator with real enforcement powers, so failure is no longer rewarded at the expense of customers and the environment.
Sir Alec Shelbrooke
Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Conservative - Wetherby and Easingwold
What did he do in Parliament?
Sir Alec voted 26 times this month.
He voted aye on opposition day to the debates on both rural communities and jury trials.
The MP also voted against the third reading of the National Insurance Contributions Bill.
Sir Alec also voted aye on opposition day in debates on the Diego Garcia Military Base and youth unemployment.
During debates about the Chagos peninsula, Sir Alec was advised to retract his comments after he told Minister of State Stephen Doughty to "grow up you silly little man”.
During the debate, Mr Doughty made a comment about the Conservative chair of the intelligence and security committee, Julian Lewis MP, being "next on the defection list".
The MP challenged the government on cuts to the Rural Services Delivery Grant during a speech in Parliament.
He also raised concerns about the proposed merger of police forces in England and Wales, asking for assurances that resources from North Yorkshire wouldn’t be redirected to more densely populated areas in West and South Yorkshire
What did he do in his constituency?
Sir Alec did lots of things in his constituency this month, but none of them fell under our district.
What else?
In multiple posts to his social media pages, Sir Alec supported the Conservatives' petition to ban under-16s from social media.
He also appeared on ITV’s Around the House to talk about scrapping business rates for thousands of high street businesses.
The MP also added a message to the Holocaust Educational Trust Book of Commitment in Parliament on Holocaust Memorial Day.
When we contacted Sir Alec for comment, he said:
In Westminster, I’ve been chairing the Railway Bill as it sees its passage through the House. This government bill aims to introduce a single body to integrate infrastructure and train operations, Network Rail, and ticketing under one roof. As I’m chairing the Bill’s passage as a member of the Speakers’ Panel, I must stay impartial, but I’ll have more to say on railway infrastructure in Wetherby and Easingwold once the debate has concluded.
Locally, there has been much consternation from residents over the government’s new planning rules, which has seen green belt rules ripped up and local decision-making sidelined in favour of central control in Whitehall. As a result of the centrally imposed housing target on North Yorkshire, our rural communities are now under renewed pressure from speculative developers as ministers seek to deliver their manifesto pledge to “back the builders, not the blockers”. I will keep working with local councillors to raise the concerns of residents against these changes.
Sir Julian Smith
Sir Julian Smith, Conservative - Skipton and Ripon
What did he do in Parliament?
Sir Julian voted 22 times this month.
He voted in favour of the opposition to the proposed Jury Trials Bill.
The MP also voted aye on opposition day to debate the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill.
Sir Julian called on the Treasury to protect local pubs, saying that business rates “need urgent attention”.
He wrote to the Home Secretary calling for clarity on the government’s approach towards tackling knife crime.
The MP also raised concerns in the House about the proposed plans to build a mega Chinese Embassy. He said:
It isn’t just a planning issue, it’s a political judgement with major security implications. This site is difficult to monitor.
What did he do in his constituency?
Sir Julian held constituency surgeries in Ripon and Masham in January, as well as in other areas of his constituency.
He visited Ripon Racecourse to speak with the Managing Director, James Hutchinson, about the course's economic contribution to the area.
The MP also visited Sharow Church of England Primary School and Nursery to chat with year 5 and 6 pupils about parliament and local issues.
What else?
Sir Julian congratulated his constituents, Caroline Bentham, Ruth Ive and Margaret Wood, for their recognition in the New Year’s honours list.
On his social media platforms, he supported the Conservative call for stricter rules on social media access for under-16s.
The MP also registered travel payments of £1,049.41 from the International Finance Facility for Education, which aims to unlock education and skills funding for lower-middle-income countries.
Sir Julian, who chairs the Geneva-based organisation, on an unpaid basis, claimed the travel expenses for a trip to Bern. He also claimed £489.20 of expenses.
When we contacted Sir Julian for comment, he said:
In January, I raised concerns in Westminster and in the national press regarding mounting pressures on North Yorkshire’s rural communities, including rising costs for pubs and farms and the damaging impact of the proposed tourism tax. I also continued pressing for fairer business rates and support for local pubs, hospitality and high street businesses.
In the constituency, I visited Ripon Racecourse to discuss its economic contribution, met pupils at Sharow CofE Primary School to talk about Parliament, and secured updates from Yorkshire Water to ease disruption for residents in Galphay.
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