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Jun 2023
MPs Watch: River Nidd and King Charles coronation
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 May, the saga over designating bathing water status to the River Nidd rumbled on. Meanwhile, at the start of the month, the country celebrated the coronation of King Charles III.
We asked Ripon MP Julian Smith and Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular, but we did not receive a response.
Here is 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:
- On May 2, Mr Jones met with Harrogate Town FC’s community foundation.
- Mr Jones met with leadership of North Yorkshire Council, local NHS and the Chief Constable on May 15.
- The Conservative MP gave his first interview to the Stray Ferret on May 16 where he discussed his candidacy for the next General Election, sewage in the River Nidd and the Station Gateway scheme.
- On May 17, Mr Jones urged a developer to give residents clarity over a planned solar farm in Scotton.
- On both May 20 and May 27, Mr Jones joined volunteers at Knaresborough Lido to count visitors for the Bathing Water Quality Status application.
- He held a constituency surgery on May 30 at the Harrogate Civic Centre.
When we contacted Mr Jones for comment, his office sent a list of his engagements for May.
Among those included meeting with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the National Air Traffic Specialists (NATS) to discuss upcoming changes to national airspace.
He also met with the met with the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce with other North Yorkshire MPs to discuss challenges in the hospitality sector. Mr Jones also visited Yorkshire Cancer Research at Grove Park Court in Harrogate to discuss their latest projects and collaborations with universities.
Mr Jones’ office pointed out that his engagements and activities could also be found on his Community News website and his Facebook and Instagram feeds.
Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.
In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:
- Mr Smith made no spoken contributions or submitted any written questions in the House of Commons in May.
- On May 7, Mr Smith attended a coronation service at Ripon Cathedral.
- The Ripon MP visited the British Irish Chamber of Commerce in Dublin on May 11.
- On May 24, he received a piece of artwork called “A Path to Peace” from Pateley Bridge artist James Owen Thomas.
- Mr Smith visited the Ripon Walled Garden on May 26.
Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.
In rural south Harrogate, he is what we found on Mr Adams:
- Mr Adams asked Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, on May 2 about what the government was doing to plan for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
- He asked two questions of Secretary of State for the Home Department, Robert Jenrick, two questions on the recruitment of Border Force staff since April 2022.
- Mr Adams posted no updates on his website throughout May.
- Normally a frequent social media user, Mr Adams posted just three times on his Twitter during May. None related to constituency issues in rural Harrogate.
Read more:
- Harrogate councillor appointed county’s climate champion
- Harrogate Station Gateway: new report reveals financial risks
- Council set to loan £500,000 to Harrogate housing company
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