How Harrogate’s MP became ‘one of the most vocal backbenchers in Parliament’
Harrogate’s MP has been ranked in the top five of MPs after hitting a milestone of 250 spoken contributions in Parliament in between his regular community events in just two years.
Since he was elected in July 2024 after 14 years of Tory representation, Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has become one of the most vocal backbenchers in Parliament.
In that time, he has wracked up 255 spoken contributions in the House of Commons according to https://members.parliament.uk/
Harrogate’s MP is now ranked 21st top out of 650 MPs for debate contributions or in the top 5% of MPs according to MP Data, the parliamentary record service.
"I'm proud to have hit the 250 milestone, about 20 of which were about disabled bus passes,” said Mr Gordon.
"It just goes to show how those words can become actions that improve people's lives."
"But spoken contributions are a fraction of the job.
"Between community events in North Yorkshire and meetings with charities or Ministers in London, and travel between the two, the time you spend speaking in the chamber can feel short- but it is crucial.
"The mum who emails me about North Yorkshire's school transport cuts has a vital experience that should be heard in the national debate."
Mr Gordon says he has been keen from the start to take part regularly in debates and questions in Parliament, notably using them to secure the Prime Minister’s support to remove time limits on disabled bus passes.
Additionally, he recently took the opportunity to make a 10 Minute Rule Bill presentation, making a speech aimed at solving unfair student finance repayments.
Mr Gordon’s office says he has contributed 100 times more than his predecessor, Conservative MP Andrew Jones, did in his final two years in office with a smaller tally of 140.
On top of his spoken contributions, the Harrogate MP says he also holds the Government to account through written questions to various departments, which now total 194.
By contrast Andrew Jones asked 56 questions in ten years.
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