Reporting back column with Julian Smith MP

The past few weeks have been extremely busy but also exciting. I had surgeries and meetings across the constituency. I am supporting the Government in marshalling the Article 50 bill through Parliament in my role as a Government whip, the Conservatives secured a remarkable by-election victory in Copeland and I had the privilege of attending an audience with Her Majesty The Queen.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Mar 2017, 10:00 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 09:50 BST
Addressing pupils of Bentham Primary School. I host my School Leaders Lunch for headteachers tomorrow.Addressing pupils of Bentham Primary School. I host my School Leaders Lunch for headteachers tomorrow.
Addressing pupils of Bentham Primary School. I host my School Leaders Lunch for headteachers tomorrow.

Today I welcome the Farming Minister, George Eustice MP, to the constituency.

I am holding an event at Skipton Auction Mart, where the minister will give a speech and then answer questions from the audience.

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It is vitally important that farmers and other local people with an interest in the future of our agricultural sector are able to share their concerns and ambitions for the future with the Government and with DEFRA.

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This will be an excellent opportunity for local people to do this and to engage directly with the Minister.

Tomorrow I will host my annual School Leaders Lunch for headteachers and student leaders from each secondary school in Skipton and Ripon.

Representatives from eleven schools are due to attend the lunch, which celebrates the achievements of the wonderful secondary schools in our area.

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The lunch is kindly supported by Skipton company Principle Healthcare and I am looking forward to meeting the students and teachers.

I am attending Ripon Sights and Sounds on Saturday, which is now in its sixth year and celebrates the variety of wonderful sights and sounds Ripon has to offer its residents and visitors.

This free event encourages local people to have a taste of the attractions, activities and information they may not normally be able to access.

I want to pay tribute to the people from the voluntary, public and private sectors who work so hard to bring this event together and I hope that local residents will turn out to show their support.

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There has been a lot of attention in the past couple of week on the House of Lords, as the Peers scrutinised the Article 50 Bill.

The Lords amended the Bill but what matters most is that the Government has a clear plan to invoke Article 50 before the end of this month.

As your local MP and Senior Government Whip I am doing everything I can to deliver this bill, as required by the courts, so that the Government can take this next step in delivering the result of the referendum.

I will be holding regular surgeries over the coming weeks in Ripon, Skipton and other locations.

For more details on these, please visit my website at www.juliansmith.org.uk or contact my office on 01756 795898.

Related topics:RiponGeorge EusticeGovernmentParliament