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20
Apr 2020
What are other Yorkshire MPs doing to support constituents?
The Stray Ferret has investigated the amount of communication and activity other conservative MPs in Yorkshire have had with their constituents during the crisis
Since the outbreak of coronavirus in the UK, both MPs covering the Harrogate district have kept a low profile on social media and via their websites on work that they are doing in their constituency to help in the coronavirus crisis.
Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has tweeted or shared other people's tweets 16 times in the last month and posted 4 times on his website. His four website posts:
- encouraged people to work together through the crisis on March 17th.
- announced he was setting up a 'volunteer army' to bring people together and support vulnerable people on March 18th. No further details on how this progressed.
- gave a View from Westminster, reflecting on the crisis but with no details of what he has been doing
- welcomed news that Captain Tom Moore will be guest of honour at the opening of the Nightingale hospital
In addition, media reports show he:
- asked a question of Home Secretary Priti Patel about the government's response to county lines drugs gangs on March 23rd
- released a statement about liaising with the foreign office in support of local people who were stranded abroad as the coronavirus crisis began
- signed a letter in late March by Julian Sturdy, MP for York Outer, calling for the rejection of an appeal by a developer wanting to build 516 houses at Askham Bog, south-west of York
Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, has posted once on Facebook in the last month and has not added any news to his website since January. However, he has a page with links to government advice and support on coronavirus, and has tweeted just over 100 times since March 20th.
In addition, he is quoted in media reports about encouraging people to stay at home over the Easter weekend.
Neither MP responded to a request for details of their activities.
The Stray Ferret looked at other conservative MPs in the surrounding area for comparison:
Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Malton
- has posted on Facebook 35 times, Twitter more than 200 times, and 24 articles on his website since the crisis began
- runs constituency video support conferences for any business owner to join and ask questions
- has shared details on his website of what he's doing to support care homes, businesses and the wider community
Among his posts was the following: "I have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, calling for tougher measures to ensure that large firms pay their suppliers on time. The letter, which was also signed by 37 cross-party MPs and Members of the House of Lords, urges Mr Sunak to give the Small Business Commissioner the power to fine companies that consistently fail to pay suppliers on time and to make the Prompt Payment Code compulsory rather than voluntary for organisations with more than 250 employees."
Above is one of his online business surgeries, posted to his Facebook page.
Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg and Goole
- Has posted 19 times on Facebook- including updates on planning issues affected by coronavirus and posted links to useful info on government website.
- Written 9 blog posts/news articles for this website.
Mr Percy says he has been working with councillors to organise a support network and on April 14th formed the Brigg&Goole and Isle of Axholme Constituency Support Group
"I just wanted to assure residents that my team and I remain fully on hand to support residents at this time and we are receiving hundreds of emails, calls and facebook direct messages everyday. Whether it is constituents trapped overseas, questions about the lockdown guidelines or helping people struggling with employment, shopping or business concerns my team and I are doing what we can to help and will do throughout. I am also in close contact with the local hospitals and have been assisting them on a range of issues too. It you need our help we are available via Facebook, email or the office phones on 01405 767969 or 01652 650094."
Andrea Jenkyns, MP for Morley and Outwood
- posted more than 30 times on Facebook and more than 100 times on Twitter
- a section on her website dedicated to getting a pool of volunteers together and another signposting to advice and support
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