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Jonathan Ashworth

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The Right Honourable
Jonathan Ashworth
Official portrait, 2020
Member of Parliament
forLeicester South
In office
5 May 2011 – 30 May 2024
Preceded byPeter Soulsby
Succeeded byShockat Adam
Shadow portfolios
Shadow Cabinet
2023–2024Paymaster General
2021–2023Work and Pensions
2016–2021Health and Social Care
Shadow Minister
2015–2016Without Portfolio
2013–2015Cabinet Office
Personal details
Born
Jonathan Michael Graham Ashworth

(1978-10-14)14 October 1978(age 45)
Salford,Greater Manchester,England
Political partyLabour Co-op
Spouse
Emilie Oldknow
​
(m.2010)​
Alma materSt Aidan's College, Durham(BA)
Signature
WebsiteOfficial websiteEdit this at Wikidata

Jonathan Michael Graham Ashworth(14 October 1978) is a British formerLabourand Co-oppolitician who was theMember of Parliament(MP) forLeicester Southfrom2011to 2024. He had served asShadow Paymaster Generalfrom September 2023 until unexpectedly losing his seat in the2024 general electionby a slim margin. Days after his defeat he was appointed chief executive of theLabour Togetherthinktank.[1]

Prior to his election to Parliament, Ashworth worked as an adviser toGordon Brownand head of party relations forEd Miliband.[2]He was first elected at aby-election in 2011,following the resignation of his predecessorPeter Soulsby.In October 2016, Ashworth was appointedShadow Health Secretaryby party leaderJeremy Corbyn,shadowingJeremy Huntand laterMatt Hancockalongside the Shadow Minister for Social CareBarbara Keeley.[3][4]In April 2020, Ashworth was reappointed to the position by new leaderKeir Starmer,gaining the additional shadow portfolio ofsocial care in England,he was succeeded in the role byWes Streetingin 2021. Ashworth wasShadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensionsfrom 2021 to September 2023, when he was appointed as theShadow Paymaster General.[5]

Early life and education

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Jonathan Ashworth was born on 14 October 1978 inSalford,was brought up in northManchesterand educated atPhilips High Schoolin Whitefield andBury College.[6]He read politics and philosophy at theUniversity of Durham.[7][8]In 2000 he served as National Secretary ofLabour Students.[9]

Political career

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Labour Party officer (2001–2004)

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Ashworth began working for theLabour Partyas a Political Research Officer in 2001, and was the Economics and Welfare Policy Officer from 2002 to 2004.[10]In 2003, he was seconded to theScottish Labour Partyto work on theScottish Parliament election campaign,where he worked closely with then-Chancellor of the Exchequer,Gordon Brown.

Special adviser (2004–2011)

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From 2004, he was appointed asSpecial AdvisertoChief Secretaries to the TreasuryPaul Boateng,Des Browne[11]andStephen Timms,but in practice he worked forChancellor of the ExchequerGordon Brown. His main job was liaising with the Labour movement and anEvening Standardprofile said "his contact book was" stuffed with constituency officers and union organisers "; there was newspaper speculation that he would be Political Secretary at10 Downing Streetin a potential futureBrown government.[12]

When Gordon Brown becamePrime Ministerin June 2007, Ashworth was appointed deputy Political Secretary with the role of linking the Government to the trade unions.[9]There was speculation later that year that Ashworth might be selected to replaceJohn Prescottas the official Labour candidate forKingston upon Hull East,[13]although it came to nothing. Ashworth spent most of theCrewe and Nantwich by-electioncampaign in the constituency.[14]

After the Labour Party were defeated at the2010 general election,Ashworth became Political Secretary to the acting party leaderHarriet Harman.He did not publicly support any candidate in the subsequent leadership election because of his role working forHarriet Harmanbut he was described as a "key member" ofEd Miliband's team on the day after Miliband won theLabour leadership election.[15]When Miliband was elected as Leader of the Labour Party, he asked Ashworth to join his office as Head of Party Relations.[2]

Before the 2010 general election, Ashworth was identified as someone for whom the Labour Party leadership wished to find a seat. He was linked with a possible candidature inMansfieldshould the sittingMember of Parliament(MP)Alan Mealedecide to stand down, but Meale decided to seek re-election despite widespread speculation he was to retire from Parliament. Ashworth was then identified as a potential candidate forNottingham Eastwhen the sitting MPJohn Heppellretired,[16]but the selection went to former MPChris Lesliewhen the LabourNational Executive Committeechose to impose Leslie at the last minute.[17]

Parliamentary career

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Ashworth sought selection inLeicester Southin 2011 when the sitting MPPeter Soulsbydecided to resign to seek election asMayor of Leicester.He was endorsed by theCo-operative Partyand, once elected, became aCo-operative PartyMP.[18]Ashworth was selected as the Labour's Party's candidate. At the2011 Leicester South by-election,Ashworth was elected as MP for the seat with 57.8% of the vote and a majority of 12,078.[19]

Ashworth served as anOpposition Whipfrom October 2011 to October 2013 andShadow Minister of State for the Cabinet Officefrom October 2013 to September 2015.[20]

Following the row over alleged undue influence oftrade unionsin the Labour Party in theFalkirk parliamentary selection in 2013,Ashworth penned a piece forThe Daily Telegraphclaiming that it is ordinary people – not the unions – who choose Labour MPs.[21]

On 11 July 2013, Ashworth replacedTom Watsonas Deputy Chairman of theNational Executive Committee.[22]

Ashworth was re-elected at the2015 general electionwith an increased vote share of 59.8% and an increased majority of 17,845.[23]After the election, Ashworth nominatedYvette Cooperto beLeader of the Labour Partyfollowing the resignation ofEd Miliband.[24]He nominatedTom Watsonas Deputy Leader.[25]

Following his election as Labour Party leader,Jeremy Corbynappointed Ashworth to theShadow Cabinetrole ofShadow Minister without Portfolio.[26]In December 2015, Ashworth voted against the resolution to authoriseRAF bombing of ISIL in Syria.[27]

Ashworth in 2017

Ashworth was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Health in October 2016. Following the2017 general election,he went on record to say a Labour government would not repeal the controversial Health and Social Care Act 2012 despite Labour's manifesto commitment to do so.[28]

Ashworth was again re-elected at the2017 general electionwith an increased vote share of 73.6% and an increased majority of 26,261.[29]

In December 2019, it was reported 4,668 patient deaths during the year were linked to safety incidents at hospital, mental health and ambulance trusts. Ashworth held "years of Tory cutbacks" responsible for understaffing and for increasing pressures, which he said put patients at risk.[30]

On 10 December 2019, it emerged that Ashworth had told a friend that he did not believe Labour would win the2019 general electiondue to be held two days later. He said that this was largely due to the unpopularity ofJeremy Corbynand voters outside the cities blaming Labour for not deliveringBrexit.His friend, who was a Conservative activist, leaked a recording of the conversation to right-wing websiteGuido Fawkes.Ashworth later claimed that he was joking and just "joshing around".[31]He was re-elected at the 2019 general election with a decreased vote share of 67% and a decreased majority of 22,675.[32]

In theNovember 2021 Shadow Cabinet reshuffle,Ashworth becameShadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.[33]He remained in the position until the2023 British shadow cabinet reshuffle,which saw him appointed to the position ofShadow Paymaster General.[5]

He is a member ofLabour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East.[34]On 4 July 2024, Ashworth lost his seat to pro-Palestine independent candidateShockat Adam.[35]He then became chief executive of the think tankLabour Together.[36]

Personal life

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In 2008, Ashworth became engaged to Emilie Oldknow, East Midlands Regional Director for the Labour Party,[37]Labour candidate forSherwoodat the2010 general electionbut not elected.[38]FormerPrime MinisterGordon Brownand his wifeSarahattended the couple's wedding on 3 July 2010 inDerbyshire.[39]They have a daughter, Gracie, born in May 2011 shortly after his by-election victory, and a second daughter, Annie.[40]

Asshadow health secretary,Ashworth advocated legislation to preventalcoholism,inspired by his own experience of his father who was an alcoholic.[41]

Notes

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References

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  1. ^Courea, Eleni (9 July 2024)."Ex-MP Jonathan Ashworth named as new boss of Labour Together thinktank".The Guardian.Retrieved10 July2024.
  2. ^abTroughton, Adrian (21 March 2011)."Labour candidate Ashworth promises to be a 'champion' for city if he wins by-election".Leicester Mercury.Archived fromthe originalon 23 April 2011.Retrieved6 May2011.
  3. ^"Shadow Cabinet".The Labour Party.Archivedfrom the original on 5 March 2020.Retrieved20 February2020.
  4. ^"Her Majesty's Official Opposition: The Shadow Cabinet".UK Parliament.Archivedfrom the original on 15 February 2020.Retrieved20 February2020.
  5. ^abRichardson, Hannah (4 September 2023)."New roles for Leicester MPs as Labour reshuffles top team".Leicestershire Live.Archivedfrom the original on 5 September 2023.Retrieved4 September2023.
  6. ^"Ashworth, Jonathan Michael Graham".Who's Who 2012(online ed.). A & C Black. 2012.Retrieved3 December2011.
  7. ^"Cabinet and ministerial appointments following the June 2017 general election"(PDF).NHS Providers. 6 July 2017. p. 10.Archived(PDF)from the original on 1 November 2019.Retrieved5 April2020.
  8. ^"Your Strong Voice for Leicester South: Jon Ashworth: Standing to be your new MP".Jonashworth.org.Archived fromthe originalon 8 March 2012.Retrieved7 May2011.
  9. ^ab"Bright young things beavering away for Team Brown".London Evening Standard.27 June 2007.
  10. ^"Jon Ashworth MP".BBC Democracy Live.Archivedfrom the original on 5 March 2016.Retrieved30 May2011.
  11. ^"The Times guide to the Government".The Times.London. 13 May 2005.
  12. ^"Gordon gets his team prepared to take over No 10".London Evening Standard.6 September 2006.
  13. ^"Who's in the running to succeed Prescott?".Hull Daily Mail.22 August 2007.
  14. ^Hinsliff, Gaby (25 May 2008). "Labour in Turmoil: Is this the beginning of the end for Brown?".The Observer.London.
  15. ^Elliott, Francis; Smyth, Chris (27 September 2010). "Dallas and demand management: what really does it for Ed".The Times.London.
  16. ^Walker, Charles (3 April 2010). "MP calls it a day after a royal time".Nottingham Evening Post.
  17. ^Brady, Brian (11 April 2010). "Activists threaten rebellion as Brown helps secure seat for ally".Independent on Sunday.London. p. 10.
  18. ^"Labour is to reveal MP candidates".Leicester Mercury.17 March 2011.
  19. ^Troughton, Adrian (7 May 2011). "Great day for Labour capped by victory in by-election".Leicester Mercury.
  20. ^"Parliamentary career for Jonathan Ashworth - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament".members.parliament.uk.Retrieved5 January2021.
  21. ^Ashworth, Jon (4 July 2013)."Labour's links to the trade unions? I'm proud of them".The Daily Telegraph.London.Archivedfrom the original on 7 July 2013.Retrieved8 July2013.
  22. ^Ferguson, Mark (11 July 2013)."Jonathan Ashworth to replace Tom Watson on Labour's NEC".LabourList.Archivedfrom the original on 3 March 2016.Retrieved24 June2016.
  23. ^"Election Data 2015".Electoral Calculus.Archived fromthe originalon 17 October 2015.Retrieved17 October2015.
  24. ^Martin, Dan (9 June 2015)."Jon Ashworth backs Yvette Cooper over city neighbour Liz Kendall in Labour leadership race".Leicester Mercury.Archived fromthe originalon 17 September 2015.Retrieved24 June2016.
  25. ^"Who nominated who in the 2015 Labour deputy leadership election?".New Statesman.London.Archivedfrom the original on 25 December 2015.Retrieved24 June2016.
  26. ^Martin, Dan (14 September 2015)."Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth becomes Jeremy Corbyn's shadow minister without portfolio".Leicester Mercury.Archived fromthe originalon 25 September 2015.Retrieved24 June2016.
  27. ^Martin, Dan (3 December 2015)."Jon Ashworth the only MP from Leicester and Leicestershire to vote against Syria air strikes".Leicester Mercury.Archived fromthe originalon 25 December 2015.Retrieved24 June2016.
  28. ^"Labour Will not Roll Back Health and Social Care Act".Healthcare Times.Archivedfrom the original on 1 October 2017.
  29. ^"Parliamentary election".www.leicester.gov.uk.
  30. ^Deaths of 4,600 NHS patients linked to safety incidentsArchived9 December 2019 at theWayback MachineThe Guardian
  31. ^"General election 2019: Jonathan Ashworth apologises after Corbyn criticism leak".BBC News.10 December 2019.Archivedfrom the original on 11 December 2019.Retrieved6 January2020.
  32. ^"Leicester South Parliamentary constituency".BBC News.BBC.Retrieved22 November2019.
  33. ^"Big reshuffle sees Cooper, Streeting, Lammy, Reynolds, Phillipson promoted".LabourList.29 November 2021.Retrieved25 February2022.
  34. ^"Parliamentary Supporters".LFPME.1 January 1970.Retrieved5 June2024.
  35. ^Schofield, Kevin (5 July 2024)."Huge Shock As Labour Attack Dog Jonathan Ashworth Loses His Seat".HuffPost.Retrieved5 July2024.
  36. ^Courea, Eleni (9 July 2024)."Ex-MP Jonathan Ashworth named as new boss of Labour Together thinktank".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved11 July2024.
  37. ^Schofield, Kevin (25 February 2020)."Fresh blow for Labour as senior official dubbed 'brains of the party' quits".Politics Home.Archivedfrom the original on 6 April 2020.Retrieved13 April2020.
  38. ^Parsons, Rob (8 May 2010). "Farmer Mark in a thriller at dawn".Nottingham Evening Post.
  39. ^"Guest Appearance".The Sunday Telegraph.London. 4 July 2010.
  40. ^"Jonathan Ashworth interrupted by daughter during BBC News interview".BBC News.Retrieved18 May2021.
  41. ^Smith, Mikey; Mack, Tom (21 November 2021)."MP cries during TV interview as he speaks about his alcoholic father".LeicestershireLive.Retrieved22 November2021.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of ParliamentforLeicester South
2011–2024 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Deputy Chair of theLabour Party
2013–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Shadow Minister without Portfolio
2015–2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Shadow Secretary of State for Health
2016–present 		Incumbent
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