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01
Nov
MPs Watch: PMQs, synagogue attack and water quality in Darley
Every month, the Stray Ferret analyses what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and the House of Commons.
In October, UK inflation rose to 4.2% and talk of the forthcoming Budget intensified.
MPs voted down Nigel Farage’s proposal for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights, and a terror attack on a Manchester Synagogue saw two Jewish worshippers murdered.
Here’s what we discovered after analysing our MPs’ online presence.
Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat - Harrogate and Knaresborough
What did he do in parliament?
Mr Gordon voted 20 times this month.
He voted against the third reading of the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill, which would formally revoke UK sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago in Mauritius.
The MP also voted for amendments to the Mental Health Bill during its report stage.
Mr Gordon asked his first Prime Minister's question this month. He quizzed Sir Keir Starmer on what steps would be taken to rebuild trust in the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, the local mental health trust, as patients do not have sufficient inpatient beds.
He wrote to the government urging them to scrap plans to abolish Healthwatch.
The MP asked for home-to-school transport laws to be changed to better suit rural families in North Yorkshire and tabled an amendment to the English Devolution Bill to devolve more powers to Yorkshire.
He also spoke about doing more to support the housing needs of those who’ve served in the army.
What did he do in his constituency?
Mr Gordon took two representatives of Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity’s Great Start in Life Foundation to parliament.
The MP started the junior parkrun’s 10th anniversary in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens and visited Coppice Valley Primary School to hear about plans for a new government-funded nursery.
What else?
Mr Gordon posted on social media he had spoken to the Harrogate Synagogue and local police after the Manchester synagogue attack.
He enjoyed listening to Taylor Swift’s new album, The Life of a Showgirl.
He also joined ITV Calendar’s Last Orders to discuss net zero, building Lib Dem support in Yorkshire and the consequences of privatising essential services like water.
He also appeared on Politics North at 10 with Jonathan Brash and Zack Polanski talking about sewage in rivers, nuclear jobs in Hartlepool and plans by seven north east councils to incinerate household rubbish.
When the Stray Ferret contacted Mr Gordon for comment, he said:
This month marked an important milestone as I asked my first Prime Minister’s Question. I welcomed the Prime Minister’s openness to an inquiry, but made clear that immediate action is needed to prevent further harm and restore confidence in mental health services.
In a debate on cancer care, I celebrated the support Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity provides to both staff and patients and its role in strengthening local health services.
Other Parliamentary work included advocating for a more flexible approach to school term holidays to enable unique learning experiences such as the Great Yorkshire Show, and welcoming Knaresborough Youth Council to Parliament for a fantastic Q&A session.
Back in the constituency, I opposed Harrogate Spring Water’s planned expansion into Rotary Wood. I’m excited for next month, when we’ll be hosting a local event as part of UK Parliament Week.
Sir Julian Smith
Sir Julian Smith, Conservative - Skipton and Ripon
What did he do in parliament?
Sir Julian voted 24 times in October.
Mr Smith voted in favour of amendments 40 and 41 of the Mental Health Bill, and against the third reading of the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill.
The MP voted against the third reading of the Sentencing Bill.
He also raised North Yorkshire Council’s concerns about the government funding settlement in relation to the Devolution Bill.
Sir Julian urged the Prime Minister to mobilise the UK’s peacebuilding expertise, developed through decades of work in Northern Ireland, to help sustain peace in the Middle East.
He also asked Sir Keir Starmer to consider CenTax’s proposed compromise amendments to the Inheritance Tax on farmers.
What did he do in his constituency?
Sir Julian visited St John’s Church in Sharow to see the restoration work and ring the bells.
He visited Park Street Surgery in Ripon to celebrate and discuss the integrated care board’s investment in it.
The MP supported the Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival, labelling it a “fantastic celebration of Yorkshire’s Cheeses from Wensleydale to Harrogate Blue”.
He congratulated Grantley Hall on being named Independent Hotel of the Year at the Independent Hotel Show Awards.
Sir Julian visited Ripon Grammar School to take part in a Q&A with lower sixth form politics students.
He also visited Ripon YMCA and contacted Yorkshire Water to ask for updates on HG3 water contamination.
What else?
Sir Julian condemned the Manchester Synagogue attack and met with the Jewish Leadership Council, Antisemitism Policy Trust, and the Community Security Trust to discuss Jewish safety and community relations.
He supported the U&ME Young Onset Dementia Conference hosted in Leeds.
Sir Julian also appeared on GB News to talk about the next steps of the government inquiry into grooming gangs.
When the Stray Ferret contacted Sir Julian for comment, he said:
In Ripon, I had the pleasure of visiting Ripon YMCA, where I met with staff to hear about the vital work they’re doing to support young people with housing, employment, and life skills. It was great to learn more about the positive impact they are having on residents.
In parliament, I urged the government to commit to fairer funding for North Yorkshire, highlighting the need for a more equitable approach that recognises the unique challenges faced by rural areas like ours.
I was pleased to welcome the continued low claimant rate in Skipton and Ripon, which reflects the strength of our local economy. I remain committed to supporting those still seeking work and ensuring that opportunities are available to all.
As part of Flood Action Week 2025, I encouraged residents to take steps to prepare for winter weather and to check their flood risk. With climate change increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, it is more important than ever that we build resilience in our communities.
I am also urging local organisations to apply for a new physical activity fund aimed at improving health and wellbeing in rural areas. The Movement, Activity and Sport Investment Programme, backed by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, is offering grants to support local projects that help people stay active in areas where access to facilities and organised groups may be limited.
Sir Alec Shelbrooke
Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Conservative - Wetherby and Easingwold
What did he do in parliament?
Sir Alec voted 13 times this month.
He voted for amendments 40 and 41 to the Mental Health Bill, and voted against the third reading of the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill.
The MP voted for new clauses 6 and 9 of the Sentencing Bill committee, but against new clause 30.
He spoke in parliament to say that antisemitism must be eradicated in Britain, protesting against Aston Villa’s ban of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans for their upcoming UEFA Europa League fixture.
What did he do in his constituency?
Sir Alec visited several places in his constituency this month, but they do not fall within our district.
What else?
The MP also condemned the Manchester Synagogue attack, calling it “appalling news”.
He continued to oppose Labour’s proposed mandatory ID cards via his social media pages.
Sir Alec attended the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester and the 71st annual NATO assembly in Slovenia to discuss the consequences of Russia’s attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and strategies to counter cyber attacks.
When the Stray Ferret contacted Sir Alec for comment, he said:
During October, I spent much of my time in the chamber on the frontbench as shadow foreign office minister. Scrutinising the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill at second reading was interesting, although it did not generate interest quite as much as the Chagos Islands betrayal bill proposed by the Labour government did.
In the House, I’ve been working with colleagues across several political parties to mount the strongest possible campaign against mandatory ID, so to ensure that the opposition of my constituents in Wetherby and Easingwold is heard loud and clear.
The government’s attempt to pitch ID cards as a solution to their failing immigration policy is risible.
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