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 April, North Yorkshire Council was launched after the abolition of North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and the remaining districts. Meanwhile, concern was raised again over sewage being discharged into rivers.

The month also saw Prime Minister Rishi Sunak overcome a Conservative Party rebellion to pass the government’s Illegal Migration Bill.

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.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

• On April 1, Mr Jones spoke at the re-opening of the Games in Parks kiosk at Conyngham Hall, Knaresborough. 


• Mr Jones also officially opened new independent store, Wave Aquariums, on Commercial Street, Harrogate.


• On April 11, Mr Jones welcomed £5,417,114 in new funding from the government to support local businesses and create jobs for rural communities in North Yorkshire.


• On April 12, Mr Jones attended a Copgrove village residents’ meeting to discuss a recent travellers encampment in the village. 


• On April 14, Mr Jones addressed concern over sewage discharges with a video entitled “Fact Check Friday” on his Instagram.


• Mr Jones also attended a meeting with the regional director of Barratt Homes to discuss concerns at two developments within the constituency on April 14.


• Mr Jones hosted a roundtable with local cyclists to discuss active travel in Harrogate & Knaresborough on April 22.


• In the House of Commons on April 25, Mr Jones asked a question on encouraging over-50s back into work including encouraging employers to sign up to an age friendly employer pledge.


• Mr Jones voted in line with the government on the third reading of the controversial Illegal Migration Bill on April 26. The bill proposes a change in the law so who arrive in the UK by irregular means can be removed to a third country such as Rwanda.

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

• On April 3, Mr Smith backed a residents’ campaign to buy back the Black Lion pub at Skelton-on-Ure.


• On April 25, he posted on his website that he met with independent businesses in Pateley Bridge.


• Mr Smith voted in line with the government on the third reading of the controversial Illegal Migration Bill on April 26. The bill proposes a change in the law so who arrive in the UK by irregular means can be removed to a third country such as Rwanda.


• Mr Smith made no spoken contributions in the House of Commons in April.

Read more:

• Second consultation to be held on whether to form Harrogate town council


• Just 3.5% responded to Harrogate town council consultation


• Liberal Democrats back creation of Harrogate town council

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

• On April 11, Mr Adams tweeted his support for Yorkshire County Cricket Club president-elect Jane Powell.


• Mr Adams welcomed £5,417,114 in new funding from the government to support local businesses and create jobs for rural communities in North Yorkshire.


• Mr Adams voted in line with the government on the third reading of the controversial Illegal Migration Bill on April 26. The bill proposes a change in the law so who arrive in the UK by irregular means can be removed to a third country such as Rwanda.


• Mr Adams made no spoken contributions in the House of Commons in April.