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30
Nov
MPs Watch: Autumn Budget, BBC scandal and Remembrance
Every month, the Stray Ferret analyses what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and the House of Commons.
In November, Rachel Reeves unveiled around £26 billion in new taxes and fiscal measures during the Autumn Budget 2025.
The country stopped to remember the fallen on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.
A 32-year-old man was arrested after a stabbing on a train in Huntingdon. Eleven people were injured, with two left in a critical condition.
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 17 times in November.
He voted for a reasoned amendment to the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on opposition day.
He voted against the third reading of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
The MP also voted against motions to disagree with six Lords amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
He wrote to Lord Alton of Liverpool, opposing the decision to proceed with a single, one-off evidence session into the human rights implications for disabled people arising from the Terminally Ill Adults Bill.
The MP also wrote to the Prime Minister, renewing his call for a full, judge-led inquiry into failings at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust.
What did he do in his constituency?
Mr Gordon went leafleting around Harrogate with Harrogate Town and North Yorkshire councillors in November.
He visited Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Asda as part of a “supermarket tour” where he spoke to people about issues that he may be able to help with.
The MP also visited Gracious Street Methodist Church in Knaresborough and Harrogate Waitrose for “Meet your MP”, where he spoke to residents.
What else?
Mr Gordon met with Anoosheh Ashoori to open the ‘Surviving Evin’ exhibition at Ripon Cathedral. Mr Ashoori spent nearly five years unjustly imprisoned in Iran’s Evin prison.
The MP said he was “appalled” by the Huntingdon train attack, thanking the emergency services and members of the public who “showed extraordinary courage” during the attack. He urged the public not to use the attack to spread division and hatred.
He completed the Harrogate Park Run on Bonfire Night.
Mr Gordon declared himself a gamer, saying he has been spending his evenings trying to figure out how to play ‘Europa Universalis V’.
He appeared on LBC to talk about the Assisted Dying Bill.
The MP spoke on BBC about the closure of Sherburn House in Knaresborough, saying “adult social care is in crisis”. He called on North Yorkshire Council to step in and help find a provider to keep Sherburn House open.
When the Stray Ferret contacted Mr Gordon for comment, he said:
November has been another busy month, dominated by UK Parliament Week and the Autumn Budget. For Parliament Week, I hosted an interactive event for local young people with a talk and Q&A, and visited Harrogate High School, St Joseph’s Primary School, and two Guides groups. It’s always encouraging to see young people engaged in politics, and I’m committed to supporting that involvement.
Post-Budget, I voiced my deep disappointment – it failed our region by imposing more taxes without delivering benefits, investment, or funding. North Yorkshire was largely overlooked, and Yorkshire was once again pushed aside. In response, I brought local businesses together to discuss what these measures mean for them and to ensure their concerns are taken forward in my parliamentary work.
Sir Alec Shelbrooke
Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Conservative – Wetherby and Easingwold
What did he do in Parliament?
Sir Alec voted 23 times in November.
He voted against the third reading of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
He also voted against motions to disagree with eight lords amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
The MP signed Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch’s letter to David Lammy to push for him to reconsider cutting jury trials in the UK.
Sir Alec spoke in the House of Commons about the ban of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from Aston Villa’s ground, saying they were not breaking the law and should have been allowed to go to the match.
He also spoke in Parliament about the BBC Donald Trump editing scandal, where he said the corporation “faked a piece of news". He urged that the Secretary of State use her offices to work with the current director general to get right to the heart of how this was ever allowed to happen.
What did he do in his constituency?
Sir Alec did multiple things within his constituency this month, but none of them fell within the Harrogate district.
What else?
Sir Alec joined residents across Wetherby and Easingwold to remember servicemen and women on Remembrance Sunday.
He also visited Bahrain with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly for high-level talks on foreign and defence policy and rapidly evolving regional security dynamics.
When we contacted Sir Alec for comment, he said:
Much of the debate in Parliament has been linked to the budget and, outside of the Chamber, I’ve been working with colleagues to lobby the Chancellor to correct the errors of her last budget, which hit small businesses hard. These businesses are the backbone of our high streets. They create jobs, they drive our local economy and they’re under unprecedented pressure. Recent tax rises aren’t just hitting families in Wetherby & Easingwold, they’re putting local businesses at risk. Costing jobs and weakening our high street.
I’ve been urging ministers to scrap business rates for high street shops and pubs, cut electricity bills for local firms and putting 10,000 more police on our streets to keep high streets safe.
Sir Julian Smith
Sir Julian Smith, Conservative – Skipton and Ripon
What did he do in Parliament?
Sir Julian voted 21 times this month.
He voted ‘aye’ four times on opposition day, regarding supporting high streets, welfare spending, taxes and energy.
He voted against the motion to disagree with Lords amendment 37 to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.
The MP also voted against the third reading of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
Sir Julian urged the Home Secretary to bring police chiefs together to review information sharing and resources in the run-up to the Huntington train attack. He also called for greater use of stop and search.
The MP asked the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to reflect on the skills needed for the BBC to restore public confidence after it was criticised for editing one of Donald Trump’s speeches.
He also spoke in Parliament about the A59 Kex Gill bypass, urging ministers to work closely with the council to get the project over the line.
What did he do in his constituency?
Sir Julian offered thanks to the Ripon Community Poppy Project for their work creating displays for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.
He visited Ripon Cathedral’s Christmas Food and Gift Fair.
The MP also visited the Christmas Markets in Ripon, urging people to go along.
What else?
Sir Julian offered his thoughts and prayers to the victims of the Huntingdon train attack via a social media post.
He wrote to LNER to commend the bravery of their crew and passengers during the incident.
The MP laid a tribute in Parliament’s Garden of Remembrance on behalf of Skipton & Ripon to honour those who gave their lives for our freedom and thank those who have served our country.
He also laid a wreath in Skipton and had wreaths laid in Ripon, Bentham and Pateley Bridge on his behalf on Remembrance Sunday.
The MP also registered a claim for travel and accommodation between London and Zurich in January, which totalled at £1,127.38.
When we contacted Sir Julian for comment, he said:
Over the past month, I have continued working hard on key issues for our community. I encouraged Ripon residents to have their say on the City Investment Plan and welcomed news that Ripon’s Minor Injuries Unit will become an Urgent Treatment Centre. I pressed the Government on challenges facing British farmers and on the A59 Kex Gill bypass regarding delays and cost overruns. I enjoyed visiting Ripon Cathedral’s Christmas Food & Gift Fair and Little Bird Artisan Markets. I also backed a cross-party call for targeted prostate cancer screening to save lives, and responded to the Government's Budget.
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