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30
Sept
MPs Watch: Digital ID, Palestine recognition and devolution
Every month, the Stray Ferret analyses what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and the House of Commons.
In September, Sir Keir Starmer announced the United Kingdom’s formal recognition of the state of Palestine.
Donald Trump visited the UK, Labour announced plans to roll out digital ID cards and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned.
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.
Sir Julian Smith
Sir Julian Smith, Conservative – Skipton and Ripon
What did he do in Parliament?
Sir Julian voted 33 times this month.
He voted in favour of the Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which would entrust local governments with more power in the UK.
He also voted against the third reading of the Bus Services (No.2 Bill), which would transfer control away from private companies in order to better meet local transport needs.
In May, the UK agreed a deal with Mauritius to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to them, in return for continued control over the UK/US military base located there, on a 99-year lease.
The Diego Garcia military base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill is currently being debated in parliament, which would formally revoke UK sovereignty over the territory.
Sir Julian voted for a reasoned amendment against the bill, proposed by the Conservatives, on the grounds that the UK should not cede sovereignty to Mauritius. He also voted against the second reading of the bill.
The MP also voted against the second reading of the sentencing bill, which proposed significant changes to the sentencing framework, how offenders are managed, and victim support, as well as building more prisons.
He urged the government to work closely with the parole board to protect domestic abuse victims as the Sentencing Bill progresses.
What did he do in his constituency?
Sir Julian visited Ripon to celebrate the start of the Heritage Open Days.
He also attended the Nidderdale Show in Pateley Bridge with shadow minister Robbie Moore MP.
The MP visited St John’s Church in Sharow to spend time with its Wednesday craft group.
He also opened the new Society of Independent Brewers Association national office in Ripon, labelling it "a proud moment for British beer".
He described Grantley Hall as "a stunning example of heritage, investment and excellence in our region" after visiting.
What else?
Sir Julian reposted a tweet condemning the killing of Charlie Kirk, which called it ‘a blow to everything Western civilisation stands for’.
He reposted a tweet about honouring the fallen on the Battle of Britain remembrance day, on September 15.
The MP also thanked pharmacists across Skipton and Ripon on World Pharmacists Day, on September 25.
When the Stray Ferret contacted Sir Julian for comment, he said:
One of the highlights was visiting Grewelthorpe CE Primary School to officially open their new library, the Treehouse of Tales. It was a pleasure to join pupils, staff, families, and author Hannah Russell to celebrate the school’s recent achievements, including strong academic results and a good rating from both Ofsted and SIAMS. The new library is a welcoming space that will help foster a love of reading for years to come.
In Ripon, I was delighted to present the Best Pub Award to The Black Swan, the winner of my Local Pub Awards 2025. Sara and Kelly Hirst have done an outstanding job in transforming the pub into a vibrant community hub, hosting events like Ripon Pride and supporting local groups. It was great to recognise their contribution to the local area.
In Parliament, I have continued to raise important issues. I called for full accountability in the South Yorkshire Police abuse allegations and pressed for these allegations to be covered in the national inquiry into grooming gangs. I encouraged constituents to share their views on a proposed ban of high-caffeine energy drinks for under-16s. Further, I supported Know Your Numbers Week, encouraging constituents to get their blood pressure checked to help prevent serious health conditions.
Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat – Harrogate and Knaresborough
What did he do in Parliament?
Mr Gordon voted 34 times this month.
He voted against the second reading of the Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
He also voted for the third reading of the Bus Services (No.2) Bill.
The MP voted against the second reading of the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill.
He also voted in favour of the second reading of the Sentencing Bill.
Mr Gordon spoke in the House of Lords, asking them to consider amending their consideration of the terminally ill adults (end of life) bill, to allow people with neurodegenerative diseases and 12 months to live to have a choice at the end of their lives.
He also spoke in the House of Commons, demanding the removal of the 9.30am start time for disabled bus passes. "Disabilities don’t start at 9:30am & neither should disabled bus passes," he said.
What did he do in his constituency?
Mr Gordon spoke to representatives of North Yorkshire for Europe in Harrogate, about topics such as climate change and the economy.
He also spoke with BBC Radio York about Yorkshire Water, highlighting years of underinvestment, the ongoing sewage scandal and the ban on bonuses for water bosses.
What else?
Mr Gordon, a keen runner, ran the Great North Run for Saint Michael’s Hospice. The MP completed the half marathon in 1 hour, 58 minutes and 43 seconds.
He tweeted concerns about Labour's new digital ID proposal, while also appearing on GB News to oppose the plans.
When the Stray Ferret contacted Mr Gordon for comment, he said:
This month in Parliament, I’ve continued standing up for our area – raising the local issues residents shared with me during my summer tour. From the proposed Scotton solar farm and pressures on local hospitality, to disruptive roadworks and the impact of the new Tesco development, I’ve taken these concerns straight to Westminster.
I’ve also continued work on key national campaigns. Alongside Liberal Democrat colleagues, I helped secure funding for adoptive families through to 2026–27 – a welcome step, though a long-term solution is still needed. I pressed the new minister for urgent action on dangerous spray foam insulation, raised Yorkshire Cancer Research’s proposals with the Department of Health, and, as chair of the APPG for Diabetes, continued pushing for better care for those living with the condition.
After months of campaigning, I brought forward my proposal to lift time restrictions on disabled bus passes, only to see it disappointingly voted down by the Labour government. Their decision upholds an outdated rule that restricts independence and adds pressure to those already facing daily barriers. I’ll keep fighting until that changes.
Back in the constituency, I visited Fodder to discuss the crucial support Yorkshire Agricultural Society offers our farmers, and again challenged the government’s failure to back British farming.
Sir Alec Shelbrooke
Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Conservative – Wetherby and Easingwold
What did he do in Parliament?
Sir Alec voted 35 times this month.
The MP voted for a reasoned amendment of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, and voted against the second reading of it.
He also voted to oppose the property taxes bill.
Like Sir Julian, Sir Alec voted voted for a reasoned amendment against the Diego Garcia military base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill, also voting against the second reading.
He voted against the third reading of the bus services bill, instead voting for three amendments to it.
The MP voted for a reasoned amendment on the second reading of the sentencing bill, and voted against the second reading.
He asked the home secretary about the planned use of RAF bases to house asylum seekers and opposed any suggestion that RAF Linton-on-Ouse would be used as asylum accommodation.
He also spoke in parliament, calling for a change in the UK’s response to a crackdown on freedom of speech and political opposition in Georgia.
What did he do in his constituency?
The MP visited several places in his constituency this month, but they do not fall within our district.
What else?
Sir Alec visited the British Bee Keeping Association during yellow-legged Asian hornet week to spread awareness about the invasive species and to protect British bees.
He tweeted that Nigel Farage was "platforming conspiracy theories" to do with covid vaccines, and that Reform "is not serious about governing".
The MP celebrated emergency services on 999 day, and farmers on National Farmers Day.
He also reposted a tweet condemning Keir Starmer’s recognition of the Palestinian state, which he said had "no conditions whatsoever put in place for Hamas".
Sir Alec paid tribute to Lord Menzies Campbell who died this month. Sir Alec posted on his social media that he was a "good friend and colleague on the NATO Parliamentary Assembly".
Meanwhile, he defended flags being put up across the country, saying "those who argue raising the flag is racist have misunderstood its purpose as a symbol of unity, not division".
When the Stray Ferret contacted Sir Alec for comment, he said:
September is World Alzheimer’s Month and I’m raising the pressing need for further research into a disease that impacts a growing number of families. It is my ambition to make ours the UK’s first dementia-friendly constituency but with over 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK – and one third of people not having a formal diagnosis – we need government to up its game on research and development. I’ve been working with the Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia UK to raise these demands.
This month also saw the start of the party conference season, which sadly instigated a chain of events that has caused real concern in Wetherby & Easingwold. After Reform UK suggested the use of former military bases to house illegal migrants, the new Home Secretary then announced she would be taking up this policy and therefore put Linton-on-Ouse back in scope. In several parliamentary debates and questions, I’ve called on the government to rule out use of Linton-on-Ouse to house illegal migrants, but so far ministers have refused to do so.
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