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01
Mar
MPs Watch: Making burgers in Ripon, tourist tax and the Epstein files
Every month, the Stray Ferret analyses what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and the House of Commons.
In February, Peter Mandelson and Prince Andrew were arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in relation to their ties with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The Green Party won the Gorton and Denton by-election, unseating Labour for the first time since 1931.
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 eight times in February.
He voted against the Local Government Finance Report in England for 2026-27.
He also voted against the third reading of the Universal Credit Bill.
The MP spoke in parliament, urging the government to release all the documents relating to Lord Mandelson in order to maintain public trust in democracy.
He also urged the government to act quickly on the recommendations for improving farming productivity set out in the Batters Review.
Sir Julian also challenged the government in the House of Commons on its proposed policing reorganisation and what it could mean for rural areas that are already under-resourced, such as North Yorkshire.
The MP asked the secretary of state for energy security and net zero, Ed Miliband, what support small businesses can expect from the new local power plan to help reduce their bills as quickly as possible.
He also wrote to the transport secretary and home secretary asking them to launch investigations into the nature of the use of UK airports by Jeffrey Epstein and his associates.
What did he do in his constituency?
Sir Julian welcomed pupils from Nidderdale High School to parliament to take questions on issues such as mobile phones and social media, the cost of living and life in opposition.
He also submitted a joint letter with fellow North Yorkshire MPs Rishi Sunak, Alec Shelbrooke and Kevin Hollinrake to Labour Mayor David Skaith opposing the proposed tourism levy for North Yorkshire.
What else?
Sir Julian appeared on BBC Politics North to speak about businesses not getting enough government support and warned of a “massive crisis” in job creation.
He welcomed the news that there would be a criminal investigation into recent allegations concerning corruption in office, saying it was “vital for public trust in politics”.
The MP also expressed his sadness regarding the pilot who was killed in a light aircraft collision near Masham.
When we contacted Sir Julian for comment, he said:
Over the past month, I was delighted to welcome pupils from Ripon Cathedral Primary School to Parliament to learn about our democracy. I responded to concerning new benefit claimant figures and continue pressing for support for local employers and jobseekers.
I also visited McDonald’s in Ripon to discuss jobs, training opportunities and concerns around the Employment Rights Bill. I pushed the Government to improve rural smart meter connectivity, so rural Ripon households aren’t left behind.
I challenged ministers on the proposed tourist tax and advocated making SEND and autism training statutory to ensure every child receives proper support.
Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat – Harrogate and Knaresborough
What did he do in Parliament?
Mr Gordon voted twice in February.
He voted for the second reading of the Universal Credit Bill and for an amendment to the Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme.
The MP also spoke in Parliament about the constituency’s fish and chip industry, asking about the possibility of a cut in VAT for hospitality restaurants. He managed to get a few fish-related puns in, too.
He also tabled an Early Day Motion to recognise Harrogate being named the UK’s most welcoming town. It has received three signatures, including his own.
What did he do in his constituency?
Mr Gordon welcomed policing minister Sarah Jones to Harrogate’s Police Treatment Centre, to see the specialist care provided for officers.
He also ran a half-marathon through Knaresborough, followed by lunch at The Saints in Harrogate.
The MP visited Richard Taylor C of E Primary School to speak to the Year 4 & 5s about his life as an MP. He also met with the special education team to discuss the upcoming SEND white paper.
He also joined Ake & Humphris for their opening night.
What else?
Mr Gordon appeared on BBC Politics North to speak about the problems Labour are currently experiencing, the next local elections and the need for better facilities for HGV drivers.
He also met with Cancer Research UK to discuss the current state of cancer care on World Cancer Day.
When we contacted Mr Gordon for comment, he said:
I’ve submitted two motions, one calling for a fairer student finance system and another pushing for greater support for adoptive families. As part of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, I visited York to gather evidence for our inquiry into children’s experiences of social care.
During recess, I was pleased to visit fantastic local organisations including Active Against Cancer and Resurrected Bites, and to raise ongoing concerns about postal deliveries directly with Royal Mail.
I also travelled to Ukraine to mark the anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine and to strengthen our understanding of how the UK can continue to stand with Ukraine.
Sir Alec Shelbrooke
Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Conservative – Wetherby and Easingwold
What did he do in Parliament?
Sir Alec voted eight times in February.
He voted against the second and third readings of the Universal Credit Bill.
He also voted against the Local Government Finance Report 2026-27.
The MP spoke in parliament about China’s trade deals with Iran, saying they were “enabling Iran to slaughter its own citizens.” He asked what assessment the Foreign Office is making of the details of that trade and what action was being taken.
He also spoke in the House about the issues regarding thermal runaway in batteries on prime agricultural land, referring to the dangers of the 1000-degree heat evaporating heavy metals, and asked what research has been done on them.
Sir Alec asked the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Stephen Doughty, what co-operation may be in place between the Spanish Government and the Gibraltarian Government if resolutions cannot be found on the Laws of the Sea in Gibraltarian waters.
He also spoke in parliament, during a debate about the Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban, that there was effectively “Jew hunting” taking place in Britain, stating that we must be sure that our Jewish communities can have faith in the authorities and the police.
What did he do in his constituency?
Sir Alec launched his 2026 dementia directory in February, which is being delivered across his constituency.
He also visited the Grantham Arms in Boroughbridge to speak to the owners about the impact that business rates are having on local publicans.
The MP also submitted a letter to David Skaith, alongside North Yorkshire Tory MPs Kevin Hollinrake, Rishi Sunak and Julian Smith, opposing the tourism tax in the region.
What else?
Sir Alec shared his condolences upon hearing of former Wetherby Town Councillor Kazia Knight’s death, saying she “gave so much to Wetherby”.
He also wrote a column in the Farmers Guardian about the challenges the rural farming community faces under current government legislation.
The MP travelled to Brussels during parliamentary recess for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Ambassadors discussed America’s role in NATO, the commitment to Ukraine, and other prominent defence issues.
He also posted to his social media pages on the fourth anniversary of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, expressing his continued support for the occupied country. He labelled the invasion illegal and called Putin’s regime “a fascist dictatorship”.
We have contacted Sir Alec for comment this week, but are awaiting a response.
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