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05
Aug
14 years in post: what are Julian Smith’s priorities this time?
It has been a month since Labour’s landslide victory, with a red wall erected across most of the UK.
The Stray Ferret wanted to see what our new MPs have been doing during their first month in Westminster.
Today, we speak to Conservative for Skipton and Ripon, Julian Smith.
The day Skipton and Ripon turns any political colour other than blue will be a momentous one. But for at least the next five years, the Tory reign continues.
Julian Smith has held the seat for more than a decade. He had a landslide majority of 23,694 in 2019 but came closer to defeat than ever before last month when he won by just 1,500 votes.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Smith if the close margin reflected how constituents felt towards him – or part of a wider national wind of change.
He said:
Well, look, I was pleased to return as MP.
I think Reform UK voters caused significant pressure on constituencies like mine, so I’m very grateful for the work that was put in and the ultimate result. I think it represented what I believe was a lot of hard work over the last 14 years.
Despite the change in government, Mr Smith said his first month back in Parliament has been “really positive”.
He told the Stray Ferret it was “quite a shock” for the returning Tory MPs, adding there is “a lot less of us now and a lot of new faces among the Labour party”.
It’s quite a young parliament and there is a positive range of new MPs across parties. There’s a lot of younger MPs coming in.
Whilst I am a returning MP, there’s always quite a lot to organise. Then, I’ve just been preparing what to do to represent the constituency.
Mr Smith said his priorities this time are to continue representing the constituency and ensure he wins investment for the area, adding:
Whether that’s ensuring the hospitals improve in Ripon and Craven, or securing investment for the A59 and the challenges there.
I also want to ensure policy issues are pertinent to our rural areas. For example, I know a lot of farmers have major concerns about the new government’s taxation plans.
There’s also a need for lower cost housing – but I know North Yorkshire Council is doing a lot of good work on that.
Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon.
Skipton and Ripon is geographically one of the largest constituencies in the UK – covering around 900 square miles.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Smith how he divides his attention equally across the areas, which include some differing landscapes and demographics.
He said in response:
I will continue to hold surgeries and ensure that I represent the concerns of people in contact with me.
It is the third largest constituency in England and, invariably, it is important to make sure people know I am here, and I will continue to help them in any way I can.
It does have to be balanced. We will announce some surgeries and opportunities to meet soon.
Ripon Cathedral annexe saga
When asked about his stance on the Ripon Cathedral annexe project at the Stray Ferret’s hustings event in June, Mr Smith said people need to “get on with the development”.
Last week, we asked him what exactly that means.
I think everyone needs to get together and address the issues at bay: trees, Kirkgate and the design of the building. The cathedral is a key part of the tourism economy, and Ripon’s overall economy, but there are clear concerns by stakeholders in the community.
I would encourage people to sit and talk. I will continue to support and encourage dialogue, but I am quietly confident that people involved will come to some sort of agreement.
Housing
Ripon City Council recently called for a pause on plans to build 1,300 homes on army barracks in the city after Labour announced a strategic defence review.
Councillors called for one of the barracks site to be retained and the housing plans be reduced in case the British Army is expanded amid global uncertainty.
Mr Smith told the Stray Ferret he “broadly supports development”, but added he “never has and never will” interfere with local planning committees’ decisions:
The actual detail of planning decisions is decided by the council. I’ve done a lot of work to represent issues that were coming up – like increased traffic and access to GP and school services – but broadly I support development.
It's important to bring footfall to Ripon, but it needs to be done with the right infrastructure.
When asked where housing should be built in his constituency, Mr Smith said it is “not his responsibility”.
It is up to the planning teams to come up with sites, he said, adding it should be managed so it “fits in with our beautiful part of the country”.
But Ripon is not the only area of his constituency with housing woes.
A resident of Pateley Bridge, which Mr Smith also oversees, complained to the Stray Ferret about a lack of rental housing opportunities in the town, which they attributed to the increasing number of holiday lets.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Smith if he was aware of the issue, which the resident said is “driving out young people out of the town”, and what he proposes could help.
He said:
The Conservative government did allow councils to double council tax on holiday lets and second homes.
I was aware during my election campaign that the number of holiday lets in Pateley Bridge, and some villages in the Dales, had seemed to increase. Good measures were taken by the last government.
Holiday rentals bring business to the area, but it is about finding a balance to get the community to thrive.
Tory leader
Mr Smith said he has not yet “specifically backed a candidate” to become the new leader of the Conservative party.
He told the Stray Ferret he is going to “watch all the candidates” over the summer and into the autumn, adding:
I will base my nomination on their individual merits and how I feel they would best help be a positive opposition and represent the needs of my constituency.
After 14 years in power, during which he was a government whip and minister, Mr Smith is now adjusting to life as an opposition MP — but there are lots of local issues to get to grips with.
This is the second article in a series of profiles. The Stray Ferret invited Harrogate and Knaresborough's Lib Dem MP, Tom Gordon, to be interviewed but we did not receive a response.
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