Jonathan Ashworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jonathan Ashworth
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Official portrait, 2020
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| Member of Parliament for Leicester South |
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| In office 5 May 2011 – 30 May 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Peter Soulsby |
| Succeeded by | Shockat Adam |
| Shadow Cabinet | |
| 2023–2024 | Paymaster General |
| 2021–2023 | Work and Pensions |
| 2016–2021 | Health and Social Care |
| Shadow Minister | |
| 2015–2016 | Without Portfolio |
| 2013–2015 | Cabinet Office |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jonathan Michael Graham Ashworth
14 October 1978 Salford, Greater Manchester, England |
| Political party | Labour Co-op |
| Spouse |
Emilie Oldknow
(m. 2010) |
| Alma mater | St Aidan's College, Durham (BA) |
| Signature |  |
Jonathan Michael Graham Ashworth (born 14 October 1978) is a British politician. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Leicester South from 2011 to 2024. He belongs to the Labour and Co-operative Party.
Before becoming an MP, Jonathan Ashworth worked as an adviser for Gordon Brown. He also led party relations for Ed Miliband. He was first elected as an MP in a special election in 2011. This happened after the previous MP, Peter Soulsby, resigned.
In 2016, he became the Shadow Health Secretary. This meant he was the main spokesperson for health for the Labour Party. He held this role until 2021. From 2021 to 2023, he was the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. In 2023, he became the Shadow Paymaster General. After losing his seat in 2024, he started working as the chief executive of a group called Labour Together.
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Early Life and Education
Jonathan Ashworth was born on 14 October 1978 in Salford, England. He grew up in north Manchester. He went to Philips High School and Bury College.
He then studied politics and philosophy at the University of Durham. In 2000, he was the National Secretary for Labour Students. This is a group for young Labour Party members who are students.
Political Career
Working for the Labour Party (2001–2004)
Jonathan Ashworth started his career working for the Labour Party in 2001. He was a Political Research Officer. From 2002 to 2004, he worked on economics and welfare policy.
In 2003, he helped with the Scottish Parliament election campaign. During this time, he worked closely with Gordon Brown, who was then the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Adviser to Government Leaders (2004–2011)
From 2004, Jonathan Ashworth became a Special Adviser. He worked for different Chief Secretaries to the Treasury. However, he mainly worked for Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown. His main job was to connect the government with trade unions.
When Gordon Brown became Prime Minister in 2007, Ashworth became his deputy Political Secretary. His role was to keep the government connected with trade unions. He was at 10 Downing Street during the swine flu outbreak in 2009. This experience was useful when the COVID-19 pandemic happened later.
After the Labour Party lost the 2010 general election, Ashworth worked for the acting party leader, Harriet Harman. He then joined Ed Miliband's team as Head of Party Relations when Miliband became the Labour Party leader.
Parliamentary Career
Becoming an MP for Leicester South (2011)
In 2011, Jonathan Ashworth decided to run for MP in Leicester South. The previous MP, Peter Soulsby, was leaving to become the Mayor of Leicester. Ashworth was chosen as the Labour Party's candidate.
He was supported by the Co-operative Party. In the special election held in 2011, Ashworth won the seat. He received 57.8% of the votes.
Roles in Parliament (2011–2015)
From 2011 to 2013, Ashworth worked as an Opposition Whip. Whips help make sure that MPs vote the way their party wants them to. From 2013 to 2015, he was a Shadow Minister of State for the Cabinet Office.
In 2013, he became the Deputy Chairman of the National Executive Committee. This is an important group that runs the Labour Party.
Re-election and Shadow Cabinet (2015–2024)
Jonathan Ashworth was re-elected in the 2015 general election. He won with even more votes and a larger majority. After this election, he nominated Yvette Cooper to be the new Labour Party leader.
When Jeremy Corbyn became Labour Party leader, he appointed Ashworth to the Shadow Cabinet. Ashworth became the Shadow Minister without Portfolio. In 2015, he voted against the UK bombing of ISIL in Syria.
In October 2016, Ashworth became the Shadow Secretary of State for Health. This meant he was the main Labour Party spokesperson for health issues. He was re-elected again in the 2017 general election with an even larger majority.
In 2019, it was reported that many patient deaths were linked to safety issues in hospitals. Ashworth said that "years of Tory cutbacks" were causing understaffing. He believed this put patients at risk.
Before the 2019 general election, Ashworth was recorded saying he didn't think Labour would win. He later said he was just joking. He was re-elected in this election, but with a smaller majority.
In 2021, Ashworth became the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. He held this role until 2023. In 2023, he was appointed Shadow Paymaster General. He is also a member of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East. On 4 July 2024, Ashworth lost his seat to an independent candidate.
Post-Parliamentary Career
On 9 July 2024, Jonathan Ashworth became the chief executive of Labour Together. This is a think tank, which is a group that does research and gives advice on political issues.
Later that month, he hosted a radio show on LBC as a guest presenter. In August 2024, Ashworth went to the 2024 Democratic National Convention in the US. He advised the Harris campaign on their election strategy.
Personal Life
In 2008, Jonathan Ashworth got engaged to Emilie Oldknow. They got married on 3 July 2010. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah attended their wedding. The Ashworths have two daughters.
Images for kids
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Jonathan Ashworth's signature.
