MPs watch Archives - Page 3 of 3

MPs watch: Vote of no confidence and overriding the Brexit deal

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.

This month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced a vote of no confidence from Tory MPs. MPs also voted to override part of the Brexit deal that relates to Northern Ireland.

We asked our three Conservative MPs, Harrogate & Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones, Skipton and Ripon’s Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty’s Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular that they have been doing this month, but, as usual, we did not receive a response from any of them.

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 out on Mr Jones:

On June 6, Mr Jones voted against Prime Minister Boris Johnson in his confidence vote.
Mr Jones spoke twice at Prime Minister’s Questions during June. On the 22nd, he urged the Prime Minister to introduce more apprenticeships in the rail industry. Yesterday he asked a question about the government’s Access to Work scheme for disabled people.
Mr Jones had a stand at Starbeck Community Day on June 18 where he spoke with constituents.
On June 22, Mr Jones met with young people from the charity Barnados in Parliament.
On June 23, the MP wrote to Home Secretary Priti Patel about “speeding up” measures to evict Travellers who break the law.
On June 27, Mr Jones voted in favour of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, which aims to override part of the government’s Brexit deal.
On June 28, the MP paid tribute to Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam who died. Mr Jones said: “Malcolm was a Harrogate hero. He leaves a body of work that is impressive and an area much the better for all he did”.

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon.

In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

On June 2, Mr Smith attended the Queen’s platinum jubilee service at Ripon Cathedral.
The MP paid tribute to broadcaster Harry Gration, who died this month. He tweeted: “So sorry & shocked to hear this @BBCLookNorth – Harry was such a special person & at @riponcathedral recent platinum jubilee service was on cracking form – charming everyone.”
Mr Smith retweeted pop star Taylor Swift, who criticised the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn abortion law Roe v Wade.
On June 15, Mr Smith was the keynote speaker at a Women in Business event in Belfast.
On June 21, Mr Smith voted against a Labour Party motion that would force Prime Minister Boris Johnson to appoint a new ethics chief within two months.
Mr Smith, who is a former Northern Ireland secretary, abstained on the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

The sweary MP tweeted that there has been a “a lot of conspiracy b*llocks spouted” about Boris Johnson’s trip to Ukraine. Last year, Mr Adams made national news after he told Stop Brexit Man, Steve Bray, to “f*** off” outside Parliament.
Mr Adams also paid tribute to Harry Gration. He said: “Harry was a lovely man and such a professional, fair broadcaster.”
The MP criticised RMT Union chief Mick Lynch following the rail strikes. He tweeted: “Not sure stopping working class people getting to work is a vote winner Mick.”
Writing on his website on June 28, Mr Adams hailed the government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Act, which he said will make it easier to stop Traveller encampments and hare coursing.
In early June, Mr Adams visited Hyderabad in India on a trade trip.

MPs watch: ‘anger’ over partygate and Northern Ireland politics

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.

This month, historic elections in Northern Ireland saw Sinn Fein become the largest party and the Sue Gray Downing Street parties report was finally published.

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 out on Mr Jones:

On May 5, Mr Jones attended the council election count at the Harrogate Convention Centre. He refused to speak with the Stray Ferret when approached for comment on the results.
On May 12, Mr Jones said in the Commons that he has been contacted by ‘distressed constituents’ who are waiting for their passports. He said: “It can be highly stressful for them to be chasing documents as they approach departure day.”
He was back in Harrogate the next day to cut a ribbon and officially open the new Carer’s Resource centre in Harrogate.
On May 17, he met TV presenter and campaigner Quentin Willson to discuss electric vehicles.
On May 20, Mr Jones told Parliament that cuts to Northern train services will damage business and make it impossible for some commuters to be at work on time.
On May 22, the MP was spotted campaigning for the Conservatives in Wakefield for the upcoming by-election.
On May 23, Mr Jones voted for the government’s Public Order Bill. Critics of the bill say it will erode people’s right to protest.
On May 24, Mr Jones asked Thirsk MP Kevin Hollinrake if the Home Office has promised any extra funding for local services impacted by the Linton-on-Ouse asylum centre. Mr Hollinrake replied: “Apparently there will be a double-manned police car in the village at all times.”
On May 27, Mr Jones met the group Melanoma Focus and posed for a photo.
Harrogate & Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones wrote to a constituent that he feels “anger” over partygate — but would not say whether he has submitted a letter of no confidence in Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon.

In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

On May 1, Mr Smith met with the Tory candidates in Ripon for the North Yorkshire County Council elections Cllr Mike Chambers and Thomas Averre. Both candidates failed to win on May 5.
The MP wrote an op-ed in the Daily Mail following the elections in Northern Ireland that saw Sinn Fein become the largest party for the first time. He warned the union between the UK and Northern Ireland is under threat.
On May 18, Mr Smith met Pateley Bridge artist James Owen Thomas. Mr Thomas likes to express himself through the beauty of the outdoors.
On the same day, Mr Smith met Justin Scully, general manager of Fountains Abbey, to discuss the Skell Valley Project.
In an interview with Politics Home’s podcast The Rundown, Smith suggested there was a “question” over how committed some MPs are to Northern Ireland.
Mr Smith spoke in the Commons for the first time in two months in a debate about the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill. He said “For Northern Ireland to come to terms with its past, there is a need for acknowledgement from all sides: from the IRA for the thousands of murders; from loyalists for the hundreds of killings; from the Irish Government for their role in the troubles; and for the killings and collusion by UK forces.”

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

On May 25, the Boris Johnson ally backed the PM following publication of the Sue Gray report. He tweeted: “He now needs to get on with the job, levelling up the country, tackling global challenges inc cost of living & Ukraine crisis & delivering for the country & for the people who put their faith in him in 2019.”
On May 22, the MP hit out at London Northwestern Railway following a My Chemical Romance concert in Milton Keynes. He thundered: “Dear @LNRailway a disgrace you have not arranged enough trains to get hundreds of young people home after midnight following a concert in Milton Keynes.”
The MP revealed himself as a fan of pop-punk act Blink 182 during a discussion about the celebrity wedding of Kourtney Kardashian and the band’s drummer Travis Barker. He tweeted: “To be fair, @travisbarker is one of the best drummers I’ve seen and worthy of his fame.”
In The Times on May 18, Mr Adams co-authored an article with York Outer MP, and former Harrogate councillor, Julian Sturdy, that said Great British Railways should be based in York.
He twice criticised Labour leader Keir Starmer over the so-called ‘beergate’ row. “Wowser”, he tweeted. “The hypocrisy of
@Keir_Starmer has been breathtaking and he’ll need some fancy lawyer dance moves to explain this one away.”

MPs Watch: ‘Partygate’ questions rumble on

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.

This month our MPs gave their thoughts on the partygate scandal as well as on Rishi Sunak’s wife’s tax affairs.

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 out on Mr Jones:

On April 6, Mr Jones added his voice to the widespread disappointment that the area has not been awarded any money from the government’s Bus Back Better scheme.
This month, the government launched controversial plans to send ‘illegal’ asylum seekers to Rwanda. On April 20, Mr Jones voted for an ammendment to the government’s Nationality and Borders Bill to enshrine this power in law.
Mr Jones visited Harrogate’s job centre on April 13, where he posed for a photo with Aldi and Warner Hotels employees who were recruiting.
On April 19 in Parliament, Mr Jones asked for more information about the controversial asylum seekers processing centre in Linton-on-Ouse. He asked: “When might it open? what is its capacity? and how many local jobs will be created?”
Speaking in the Commons on April 21, Mr Jones backed an investigation into whether Boris Johnson misled Parliament over “partygate”.
Mr Jones has not updated his official website since January.
During a Commons debate on April 26, Mr Jones responded to calls from some Labour MPs to bring trains into public ownership. Mr Jones said Labour “haven’t got a clue” and that rail travel has thrived since privatisation.
On April 26, Mr Jones said it was ‘deeply disappointing’ that the Taliban in Afghanistan had suspended secondary school classes for girls.
On April 27, Mr Jones voted in favour of the government’s Elections Bill, which aims to tackle election fraud.

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon.

In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

On April 8, Mr Smith defended Chancellor and fellow North Yorkshire MP Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy after she volunteered to pay more tax. He tweeted: “Not required in law but this is right decision. Both Rishi Sunak and Ashkata Murty have shown dedication to North Yorkshire & the United Kingdom over many years. Diversity of origin, background & roots is to be celebrated as is a v successful woman as well as a v successful man.”
Mr Smith congratulated journalist and Grassington man Chris Mason on his appointment as the new BBC political editor. “Great news! Ermysted’s Grammar School old boys smashes it again!”
Mr Smith voted in favour of a clause in the government’s Nationality and Borders Bill that commits the UK to receiving 10,000 refugees a year through official resettlement schemes.
Mr Smith also voted to send ‘illegal’ asylum seekers abroad.
On April 27, Mr Smith also voted in favour of the government’s Elections Bill.
On April 28, the Ripon MP visited the city’s cathedral for a preview of an event that celebrates its founding in 1350. He said: “Flowers, light, sound – it has it all. Get along this weekend if you can.”

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

On April 9, the MP announced he would be standing down at the next general election. He told the BBC he wanted to spend time on other interests after more than a decade in parliament.
Mr Adams called criticism by Keir Starmer towards Rishi Sunak’s wife over her tax affairs “distasteful and desperate”.
On April 12, the MP posted on his website that he welcomed a government ‘crackdown’ on fly tipping.
On the same day, the MP praised Boris Johnson for his trip to Ukraine to meet president Zelensky. “Outstanding leadership from both men”, he tweeted.
The MP hailed the government’s controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda in Africa. He tweeted: “This plan will deter and prevent thousands of dangerous channel crossings organised by people smugglers who care not if their clients drown or not. If you think that is ‘inhumane and horrific’ there’s not much more I can add.”
On April 12, Mr Adams said it was time to let Boris Johnson ‘get on with the job’ after being fined by the police for breaking lockdown rules.

MPs watch: Criticising the Prime Minister and trips to Qatar

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 February, war broke out in Ukraine and all legal restrictions for covid were lifted after almost two years.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, Mr Jones:

Writing on his local “news” website, Community News, on February 1, Mr Jones commented on the release of the Sue Gray Downing Street parties report. He said he was “disappointed” the full report would not be published until after the police investigation but called the alleged events at Downing Street a “sorry state of affairs.”
On February 15, the MP posed for a photo with Copgrove-based Abacus Manufacturing owner Ian Pattison. The pair discussed how the business had coped during covid and its expansion plans.
The MP is the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Infrastructure. On February 23 he posed for a photo with chancellor Rishi Sunak and leading figures from the civil engineering industry.
At PMQs on the same day, Mr Jones asked the prime minister if the NHS would review the system for identifying people most vulnerable to covid, as he said some are at risk of being missed.
The MP defended Harrogate District Hospital after the Local Democracy Service revealed 800 patients were allowed to return to their care homes without being tested for covid. Mr Jones said :“This must have been extremely difficult for them particularly in the early days of the pandemic when the world was fighting against something new.”

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon.

In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

The MP was uncharacteristically outspoken on Twitter during February. On February 1 he criticised prime minister Boris Johnson for suggesting labour leader Keir Starmer failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile while he was Director of Public Prosecutions. He wrote: “The smear made against Keir Starmer relating to Jimmy Saville yesterday is wrong & cannot be defended. It should be withdrawn. False and baseless personal slurs are dangerous, corrode trust & can’t just be accepted as part of the cut & thrust of parliamentary debate.”
After Keir Starmer was harassed outside Parliament a week later, Mr Smith again called for the PM to withdraw the “false slur” about Jimmy Savile.
In a tweet on February 26, he urged the UK government to “make an immediate open, welcoming and warm hearted commitment of sanctuary to those who wish to leave Ukraine. Rip up the usual bureaucracy and let’s just say they are welcome and we will make it as easy as possible to be here.”
On February 9, Children from Masham C of E Primary School visited Mr Smith in Parliament. He tweeted that he was envious of their Happy Meal at the end of the day.
The MP criticised fellow Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg who suggested civil servants do not make British life better. Mr Smith replied “Have to disagree. Massive thanks to all local, devolved & central gov civil servants.”

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

The MP said on February 1 he was “delighted’ that North Yorkshire would become an Education Investment Area. Ministers plan to offer retention payments in those areas to keep the best teachers and prioritise them for new specialist sixth form free schools.
On Twitter, the MP praised his boss Boris Johnson for hiring the “fabulous” ex-BBC and GB News journalist Guto Harri as his new director of communications.
On February 16, the MP visited Qatar for a trip to help drum up trade to the UK.
Mr Adams’ constituency includes Tadcaster, just outside the Harrogate district, which was hit by floods in February. He told ITV the Environment Agency needs to ‘get their fingers out’ and invest in flood defences for the town.

MPs watch: Hedgehogs and Downing Street parties

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 January, the Downing Street parties scandal dominated the news whilst covid Plan B restrictions were lifted.

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 January 17 Harrogate MP Andrew Jones told a constituent that “lawmakers can’t be lawbreakers” after Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted attending a party during the first coronavirus lockdown.
Mr Jones supported the government’s decision to pause the rollout of smart motorways, despite being a key advocate during his time as transport minister.
The MP backed a campaign for road signs in Starbeck that alert motorists of hedgehogs.
On January 25, the MP spoke about ‘levelling up’ at the UK Bus & Coach Conference.
On January 27, Mr Jones signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment.
Mr Jones spoke seven times in the House of Commons during January, including asking a question about the victims of the Tonga tsunami.
Network Rail remove graffiti from Hookstone Road bridge in Harrogate after a resident reported it to him.

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon.

In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith did not update his website during January.
He did not comment publicly on the Downing Street parties scandal.
On January 11 Mr Smith spoke at the Skipton & Ripon Area Constituency Committee about the lack of lateral flow tests in Ripon.
Seven of the MP’s 12 tweets were related to Northern Ireland.
On Twitter, he paid tribute to Andrew Lupton, of Ripon firm Econ Engineering, who died. He said Mr Lupton had “massive drive and focus. All thoughts & prayers with his family.”

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

On Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27 the MP looked back on a trip to Auschwitz six years ago. He tweeted: “We must always honour the memory of those who perished & never turn a blind eye to antisemitism.”
The MP hit out at Labour who he suggested support the Insulate Britain roadblock protests. He tweeted: “Labour’s mask slipping again by being on the side of those wanting to bring our country to a standstill.”
On January 26 Mr Adams voted in favour of making trade unions pay 2.5% of their total income to cover the costs of a trade union regulator.

MPs watch: Extra jobs, adult social care and HS2

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 November, MPs and their second jobs came under close scrutiny as Conservative MP Owen Paterson resigned after coming under fire for breaching parliamentary standards.

Meanwhile, all Harrogate district MPs voted for a controversial new Health and Social Care bill, which saw some Conservative backbenchers rebel against the government.

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:

Mr Jones did not post any news on his website in November.
He spoke eight times in the House of Commons this past month.
Among his contributions was to welcome to the government’s integrated rail plan on November 18. This came despite previous comments by Mr Jones in February 2019 when he described the potential scrapping of the eastern leg of HS2 as a “betrayal of the north”.
He later posted a statement on his Conservative-run website describing the plan as “very positive”.
On November 22, Mr Jones voted with the government on the Health and Social Care Bill. Some Tory backbenchers raised concern that the government’s proposal will see the poor pay more towards their care.
Mr Jones’ Twitter account is for ‘retweets only’.

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon.

In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith did not update his website during November.
He tweeted eight times last month. Among his social media posts were tweets congratulating Zoe Metcalfe on being elected North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
During November, Mr Smith’s extra jobs came under scrutiny in the wake of the Owen Paterson affair. Mr Smith earns £144,000 a year from three advisory roles in addition to his £81,932 MP’s salary.
Mr Smith voted with the government on its Health and Social Care bill on November 22.
He did not make any spoken contributions in the House of Commons during November.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

Mr Adams tweeted four times in November.
He posted once on his website on November 18 about Prime Minister Boris Johnson visiting his constituency during the launch of the government’s integrated rail plan.
On November 4, Mr Adams voted for the Leadsom amendment during the Owen Paterson affair. The amendment proposed not suspending Mr Paterson, despite breaching parliamentary standards.
Mr Adams voted with the government on the Health and Social Care bill on November 22.
He appeared in the House of Commons four times during November to make both spoken contributions and to answer questions as a government minister.

MPs watch: Sweary outbursts, animal testing and Bilsdale

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 September, the House of Commons returned from recess and the government battled an energy crisis and problems with fuel supply.

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:

Mr Jones posted 10 times on his MP’s website in September.
Mr Jones published three posts about the Bilsdale transmitter, which has affected television coverage across the district since August.
On September 18, Mr Jones held a constituency surgery at Asda. It was the first since the covid pandemic meant surgeries could not be held.
He asked George Freeman, science minister, to meet him to discuss plans to expand Labcorp on Otley Road. Mr Jones was later criticised by animal rights groups.
On September 27, Mr Jones posted on his Conservative-run site that a planning application to demolish the former Dunlopillo office site in Pannal for apartments should be “called in”. It was later approved because it was submitted under permitted development rights.
Mr Jones’ Twitter account is for ‘retweets only’.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith updated his website six times in September. He also posted about the Bilsdale transmitter and told constituents he was “really sorry” if they were affected by the disruption.
He tweeted 13 times last month. Among his social media posts were tweets congratulating MPs who had been appointed to the cabinet as part of the Prime Minister’s reshuffle.
Mr Smith posted nine times on his Facebook page.
He made no spoken contributions or written questions in the House of Commons last month.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

A regular Twitter user, Mr Adams tweeted eight times in September.
However, he did not update his website last month. His last post was on August 19.
On September 10, Mr Adams was filmed telling anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray to “f*ck off”. He defended his outburst and said his words reflected the views of many MPs.
Mr Adams was appointed minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office on September 16 as part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s cabinet reshuffle.
On September 23, he answered questions in the House of Commons of mandatory vaccine passports. In one answer, he said the government did not expect the passports to be needed from the end of September.

MPs watch: Afghanistan, football freebies and food banks

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 August, parliament was in recess for the summer. However, MPs were recalled to the House of Commons due to the escalating situation in Afghanistan.

However, none of our district MPs contributed to the debate on August 18.

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:

Mr Jones posted twice on his MP’s website in August. One post saw Mr Jones call for people to help to reduce their carbon footprint after the publication of the Independent Panel on Climate Change report.
On August 14, Mr Jones updated his website to back a local bus service bid by North Yorkshire County Council of up to £20 million.
Mr Jones was branded a “hypocrite” over a post he made on his Community News website about food banks. He did not respond to requests for comment by the Stray Ferret.
Mr Jones’ Twitter account is for ‘retweets only’.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith updated his website once in August. The post reflected on what he did in his constituency in July.
He tweeted six times in August. Among his social media posts were to congratulate Damian Hinds MP for being appointed security minister.
Mr Smith posted six times on his Facebook page. He encouraged 16 and 17 year olds to get their covid vaccine after becoming eligible.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural parts of Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

A regular Twitter user, Mr Adams tweeted 12 times in August.
Among his tweets were support for the Paralympic Games and congratulating Indonesia on its independence day.
On August 23, Mr Adams visited an Afghanistan Crisis Centre set up by the Foreign Office. He said it was a “great to see all the fantastic work” the centre had done.
He tweeted on August 25 that he and the Foreign Office would continue to resolve the crisis in Myanmar and paid tribute to the Rohingya muslims who have lost their lives.
Mr Adams updated his website once in August. This was to publicise the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s consultation on priorities for fire and policing over the next four years.
According to MPs register of interests as of August 23, Mr Adams had received £6,000 worth of free hospitality tickets to England’s Euro 2020 games.

MPs watch: Football, Yorkshire Show and covid vaccines

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 July, the remaining covid restrictions were lifted, a historic decision was made to overhaul local government across North Yorkshire and England reached their first major football tournament final in 55 years.

Parliament went into recess on July 22.

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 July 5, Mr Jones voted for the Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill on its third reading in the House of Commons. The bill has been criticised for giving more powers to police over protests.
Voted to make covid vaccines mandatory for staff working in care homes.
On July 15, Mr Jones called for a debate on the future of the events industry in the House of Commons.
On Friday, he was quoted as “welcoming” new funding for flood defences in Boroughbridge.
Mr Jones updated his website once in July. He visited the CityFibre works in Knaresborough, a £46 million project which is currently under construction.
Mr Jones’ Twitter account is for “retweets only”.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith tweeted on July 5 that he visited Broughton Hall.
On the same day, he voted in line with the government on the Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill.
Mr Smith also voted for mandatory covid vaccines for care home staff.
On July 16, he wished “good luck” to the Great Yorkshire Show on its final day.
Mr Smith did not speak in the House of Commons in July.
The MP posted four times on his website in July.
On July 23, Mr Smith tweeted to promote walk-in vaccine centres in North Yorkshire.
On July 27, he posted on his website that he had visited Devonshire Arms Hotel and Spa at Bolton Abbey Estate. He said it was “great to see that they are busier than ever”.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

A regular Twitter user, Mr Adams tweeted about England reaching the final of the Euros and posted a video of him at the Denmark game on July 7.
He tweeted again on July 11 to say he was “absolutely gutted” that England lost in the final to Italy.
On July 13, the Minister for Asia met with the Indonesia ambassador to the UK.
On July 15, he met the South Korean ambassador.
Mr Adams voted in line with the government on the Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill and mandatory covid vaccines for care home staff.
On July 20, Mr Adams visited a United Nations memorial to those who fought in the Korean War.
Mr Adams tweeted on July 26 that a dog had visited his office.
Mr Adams updated his website once in July.
He spoke in the House of Commons on three occasions in July.

MPs watch: Free school meals, food safety and lockdowns

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.

October saw a key vote on the government’s Agriculture Bill and a motion on free school meals following a high-profile campaign by Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford.

We asked Harrogate & Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones, Ripon MP Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular that they have been doing this month, but we did not receive a response from any of them.

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 October 5, Mr Jones voted with the government on the second reading of the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill. The bill looks to provide the power for covert intelligence sources to commit a criminal offence in their duty if necessary, according to the government website.
At Prime Minister’s Questions on October 7, Mr Jones urged Boris Johnson to give a support package to the conference sector. Jones said the the exhibition industry was “really important in Harrogate and Knaresborough”. However, the Prime Minister did not commit to any firm support.
On October 12, Mr Jones voted against an amendment to the Agriculture Bill which would have forced any future trade deal to meet UK food safety and animal welfare requirements. The vote came after demonstrators gathered outside his office in Harrogate urging him and other MPs to agree the amendment.
Mr Jones posted a plea on his website for people to wear a face mask when travelling on buses run by the Harrogate Bus Company. It was his only post throughout October.
On October 20, Mr Jones asked Secretary of State, Matt Hancock, whether a blanket national lockdown was wrong. Mr Hancock agreed that it was.
Mr Jones voted against an opposition motion to extend the provision of £15-a-week school meal vouchers throughout the October half term through to the Easter 2021 holidays. Following a backlash, Mr Jones responded in the local press and in a local Conservative news bulletin email. The email, which the Stray Ferret has seen, said: “I know that many of you will have seen the coverage about free school meals during the holidays in the news lately. I hope that people who know me, or who have been helped by me, would realise that I would not vote to increase child hunger or ensure children starve.”
Mr Jones’s Twitter account now been set to “retweets only”.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith voted in line with the government on the second reading of the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill on October 5.
Mr Smith posted a response on his website from Harrogate Borough Council on concerns over transport on October 16. It was his only post on the site throughout the month.
Mr Smith tweeted 11 times in October. He published two Facebook posts, one of which was a response from North Yorkshire CCG to the proposed 1,300-home Ripon Barracks scheme. Last night Mr Smith tweeted his support for the county council’s solution to care home visits.
On October 12, Mr Smith voted against the amendment to the Agriculture Bill.
Mr Smith spoke just twice in the House of Commons in October. His last contribution was on October 12 when he urged the Prime Minister to come up with “creative solutions” for loved ones to see relatives in care homes.
Mr Smith voted against the opposition motion on free school meals on October 21.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, he is what we found on Mr Adams:

On October 5, Mr Adams tweeted that as Minister of State at the Foreign Office he spoke with Indonesia Deputy Foreign Minister, Mahendra Siregar, about how the two countries could work more closely together.
Mr Adams has tweeted 21 times in October.
Mr Adams voted against the amendment to the Agriculture Bill. In a post on his website, he defended his decision. He said: “Several people have been in touch who appear to have been misled into thinking that Tuesday’s vote on the Agriculture Bill was somehow a vote against our high food standards. This is not the case. In fact, the amendment to the bill which was defeated was well meaning but I believe unnecessary as well as having some negative unintended consequences.”
On October 15, Mr Adams tweeted that the UK would continue to support the Rohingya people who have “faced systemic brutality” and been forced to leave their homes.
Since the start of the month, Mr Adams has posted five times on his website. Posts include further funding for his constituency and coronavirus tier advice.
Mr Adams appeared in the House of Commons seven times in October to answer questions and make statements on such topics as Hong Kong National Security Law and the South China Sea.
Mr Adams voted against the opposition motion on free school meals on October 21.

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