About Julian
Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE MP has served as the Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon since 2010. During this period he has held a number of senior roles in Government and has built a reputation for resolving complex political and public policy challenges.
Julian served as a Ministerial aide in the Department for International Development from 2010 to 2015 before joining the Government Whips' Office. He was appointed Government Chief Whip in 2017 and played a central role in managing parliamentary business during one of the most challenging periods in recent political history, helping Parliament navigate the Brexit process.
In July 2019, Julian was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Working closely with the Irish Government and Northern Ireland's political parties, he successfully led negotiations that restored devolved government at Stormont through the landmark New Decade, New Approachagreement after a three-year political deadlock.
During his time as Secretary of State, Julian oversaw significant reforms, including the introduction of same-sex marriage and changes to abortion law in Northern Ireland. He also established the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board to provide compensation and support for victims of historical abuse.
Julian has continued to work on some of the UK's most sensitive and challenging issues. He was an advisor the the former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Northern Ireland matters, including the Windsor Framework and the restoration of devolved government in 2024, and has been involved in efforts to resolve other major industrial disputes, including mediating the end of the first ever English nurses strike.
Julian also chaired the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero's Taskforce on Alternative Dispute Resolution for Electricity Network Infrastructure, helping to develop practical approaches to resolving conflicts around major network infrastructure projects.
In recognition of his political and public service, Julian was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2019 and Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in 2024.
As the Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon, Julian is an active champion of the local communities of one of the largest rural constituencies in England, supporting constituents with a wide range of issues, and campaigning for investment and opportunities across North Yorkshire.