Harrogate’s MP has been thanked in public by Andy Burnham in his first day as Prime Minister at the new session of Parliament.

In a rare moment of on-the-record cross-party credit, Andy Burnham told the House of Commons that Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dem MP Tom Gordon had “ran a great campaign” to scrap time restrictions on disabled bus passes.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the Harrogate and Knaresborough MP directly, telling the House of Commons: “He was kind enough to invite me to a meeting of the all-party group when he was campaigning on that issue, and we did work on it cross-party.

"I was pleased to be able to make that change as Prime Minister, and it is something that will benefit a huge number of disabled people.”

Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dem MP Tom Gordon was praised by Andy Burnham in the House of Commons for “running a great campaign” to scrap time restrictions on disabled bus passes. (Picture contributed)

placeholder image — Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dem MP Tom Gordon was praised by Andy Burnham in the House of Commons for “running a great campaign” to scrap time restrictions on disabled bus passes. (Picture contributed)

Burnham added: “He ran a great campaign.”

Mr Gordon thanked the PM for the cross-party support that helped deliver the end of time restrictions on disabled bus passes across England but pressed him to “deliver the same cross-party success” on companion passes as he had on the 9:30am rule.

“It took nearly two years, but we got there,” said Harrogate and Knaresborough’s MP.

"From April 2027, disabled people across England will be able to use their bus pass whenever they need it, because disabilities don’t clock on at half past nine.

“I’m grateful the Prime Minister came to our event in Parliament, listened to the charities and disabled people in the room, and then actually did something about it.

“But a bus pass is no use to you if you can’t get on the bus alone and can’t afford a second fare.”

The Prime Minister agreed the work was unfinished, telling the House: “But he is right that the job is not done, because many disabled people will say they can’t go out and live their life without a companion and sometimes they can’t afford to pay for that.”

Mr Gordon’s campaign on disabled bus passes ran for almost two years in conjunction with groups including Disability Action Yorkshire, Whizz Kidz, RNIB, Bus Users UK and Transport for All.