Tom Gordon MP Appears Before Harrogate & Knaresborough Area Committee to Report Back on His First Year

At today’s meeting of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee, local Lib Dem MP Tom Gordon reported back to North Yorkshire councillors on his first year in Parliament, a year defined by action on the priorities he set out during the General Election.

The Area Constituency Committee brings together North Yorkshire councillors from across Harrogate and Knaresborough to discuss local issues. This was Tom’s first appearance at the committee since being elected, and comes as he 

nears one year in office as the area’s first Liberal Democrat MP in over a decade.

In his update, Tom set out how he is delivering real results on the ground and in Westminster, focusing on the key issues that matter to local people:

Fixing Our NHS and Tackling the Dental Crisis

Tom has repeatedly pressed ministers on the crisis in local NHS services, spoken out against unfair national insurance rises on hospices and social care, and met directly with the British Dental Association to campaign for better access to NHS dentists. He is also chairing two key All-Party Parliamentary Groups — on Adult Social Care and on Diabetes — to keep health and care reform firmly on the agenda in Parliament.

Standing Up for Families in a Cost-of-Living Crisis

Tom has led local and national opposition to unfair tax hikes, including increases to National Insurance and the so-called ‘family farm tax’. He has campaigned for better support for pensioners, opposing cuts to winter fuel payments and backing the fight for justice for WASPI women. He continues to stand up for high streets and small businesses in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Investing in Local Infrastructure and Opportunity

One of Tom’s biggest wins so far has been securing over £20 million in government funding for the redevelopment of Harrogate College — a transformative investment that will ensure young people and adult learners have access to a modern, future-facing education facility. The funding was under question when it the rebuild did not start on time.

He also helped secure funding towards a new 3G pitch for Knaresborough Town AFC and established the Harrogate Town Taskforce to bring together community leaders and organisations to shape the future of the town centre. He has used his seat on the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee to showcase local innovation in Westminster, including bringing Harrogate-based business Rocoil to Parliament.

Protecting Our Environment

Tom has been a vocal campaigner on the sewage scandal affecting local rivers. He has met with the CEO of Yorkshire Water and senior officials at the Environment Agency to push for urgent action, working closely with the Nidd Action Group and local councillors including Cllr Hannah Gostlow to demand cleaner rivers and an end to sewage discharges.

Working for the Whole Community

Tom has worked tirelessly to support constituents across the patch, with almost 8,000 cases opened by his team in the past year. These range from veterans’ housing and care issues, to rising concerns about North Yorkshire’s new home-to-school transport policy and inadequate SEND provision. He also outlines the need for proper devolution and local accountability, and his campaign to see the 0.5% levy from Harrogate Spring Water spent locally in the town.

Getting Stuck In Locally

Beyond his work in Westminster, Tom has been active in the community — including running the London and Paris marathons to raise money for Harrogate Hospital and local charity Open Country.

Reflecting on his first year, Tom said:

“When I stood for Parliament, I promised to be a visible, hardworking local MP who delivers — and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together over the last 11 months.

From securing millions for Harrogate College to standing up for our NHS, pushing for rail investment, and fighting for clean rivers and fairer taxes, I’ve been focused on delivering for our area.

This is the difference a Liberal Democrat MP can make: listening, working hard, and getting things done. I’m only just getting started.”

ENDS