William Ashton: Difference between revisions
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|birth_date = 15 July 1971 (age | |birth_date = 15 July 1971 (age 48) | ||
|birth_place = Amaranthine, Westcliff, Valentir | |birth_place = Amaranthine, Westcliff, Valentir | ||
|death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{Death-date and age|Month DD, YYYY|Month DD, YYYY}} (death date then birth date) --> | |death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{Death-date and age|Month DD, YYYY|Month DD, YYYY}} (death date then birth date) --> | ||
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==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
Ashton was born in Amaranthine, Westcliff | William Michael Ashton was born in [[Amaranthine]], [[Westcliff]], to [[Etruria|Etrurian]] actress [[Serafina Mazzi]] and [[Frederick Ashton]], a businessman and {{wp|Station (Australian agriculture)|grazier}} and ambassador for the [[Cavignac Group]]. He is a fourth-generation Harboroughian. His father was of mostly [[Glytter|Ghaillish descent]]; one of Ashton's maternal great-grandfathers, Lorenzo Bianchi, was a pioneer scientist in the field of {{wp|Cognitive science|cognitive science}} and a professor of psychology at [[Middleton University]]. Ashton is the second cousin, twice removed, of fellow politician [[Emelia Mayer]]. | ||
Ashton attended primary school at [[Glenmore Park Public School]] and lower and upper secondary school at [[McMahon Union High School]]. While in high school, he was a member of the [[Valentirian National Youth Organization]], a national civic engagement and political debate organization for students. | |||
Ashton majored in {{wp|Political science|political science}} and {{wp|Communication studies|communication studies}} and received a {{wp|Bachelor of Arts}} from the [[University of Harborough]] in 1992 as a [[Warwick Lionel Fairfax|Fairfax Scholar]]. During that time, he served on the student council, was president of the St. Augustin Hall fraternity and literary society, founded the Harborough Urban Experience, and co-wrote and performed in three years of the Rising Sun, a student-written musical, whose past co-writers include [[Ryan Hamilton]], [[James Kensington Gemmell]], and [[F. P. Barnum I]]. He also received a Masters of International Affairs from the [[Middleton University]], graduating in 1993. | |||
==Professional career== | ==Professional career== | ||
Prior to his election as Mayor of Harborough, Ashton was a visiting instructor of international affairs at [[Middleton University]] and an assistant professor of diplomacy and world affairs at the [[University of Harborough]]. His academic work focused on ethnic conflict and nationalism in [[Senria|Southeast Coius]] and [[Sanslumière|Asteria Inferior]]. During this time, he published articles and chapters of books on post-conflict societies, [[Xiaodong|Xiaodongese nationalism]], and non-violent action. He has served on the Westcliff board of Human Rights Watch, and currently serves on the advisory board for Young Storytellers, an arts education nonprofit organization based in Harborough. | |||
==Mayor of Harborough== | ==Mayor of Harborough== | ||
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==Leader of the National Liberals== | ==Leader of the National Liberals== | ||
==2020 presidential campaign== | |||
==Political positions== | ==Political positions== | ||
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==Controversies== | ==Controversies== | ||
Political figures from the [[Valentirian Federation of Labour]] and [[New Centre]], notably opposition leader [[Gaultier Babineaux]], have accused Ashton of political opportunism, asserting that he is "a | Political figures from the [[Valentirian Federation of Labour]] and [[New Centre]], notably opposition leader [[Gaultier Babineaux]], have accused Ashton of political opportunism, asserting that he is "a liar who will say anything and promise everyone the world in order to get elected." Babineaux has cited similarities between the 2009 VFL campaign manifesto and several policies outlined by Ashton during the 2017 general election. Ashton has responded to these criticisms several times. "I'm a former member of the VFL and have always been committed to creating a more just and equal Valentir. Babineaux and the VFL don't hold a monopoly on a progressive vision for this country and he should look to the polls in an attempt to understand that better." | ||
==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
Revision as of 10:10, 4 July 2019
William Ashton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Valentirian Parliament for Harborough—Middleton | |
| Assumed office 4 November 2014 | |
| Preceded by | TBD |
| Leader of the National Liberal Party | |
| In office 13 July 2015 – 7 September 2017 | |
| Deputy | Ashleigh Khanna |
| Preceded by | Gregor McGrath |
| Succeeded by | Ashleigh Khanna |
| Premier of Westcliff | |
| In office 12 February 2008 – 12 February 2014 | |
| Deputy | Gregor McGrath Emelia Mayer |
| Preceded by | Brendan H. Lodge IV |
| Succeeded by | Emelia Mayer |
| Leader of the Westcliff National Liberal Party | |
| In office 3 May 2007 – 12 February 2014 | |
| Deputy | Martin de Michel Emelia Mayer |
| Preceded by | TBD |
| Succeeded by | Emelia Mayer |
| Member of the Westcliff Legislative Assembly for Harborough—Amber Park | |
| In office 26 March 2005 – 12 February 2014 | |
| Preceded by | TBD |
| Succeeded by | TBD |
| Mayor of Harborough | |
| In office 5 March 2000 – 5 March 2004 | |
| Preceded by | TBD |
| Succeeded by | TBD |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Michael Ashton 15 July 1971 (age 48) Amaranthine, Westcliff, Valentir |
| Political party | National Liberal Party (2005-present) |
| Other political affiliations | Valentirian Federation of Labour (1993–2005) |
| Spouse(s) | Alessia Sorrentino (m. 1993) |
| Children | 4 |
| Residence(s) | Middleton Gardens, Harborough |
| Profession | Politician |
| Education | University of Harborough (BA) Middleton University (MIA) |
| Parents | Frederick Ashton Serafina Mazzi |
William Michael Ashton (born 15 July 1971) is a Valentirian politician and Member of Parliament for the electoral division of Harborough—Middleton since 2014. From 2015 to 2017 he was the leader of the National Liberal Party in the Valentirian Parliament. Prior to entering Federal politics he served as the Premier of Westcliff from 2008 to 2014 and the Mayor of Harborough from 2000 to 2004.
Early life
William Michael Ashton was born in Amaranthine, Westcliff, to Etrurian actress Serafina Mazzi and Frederick Ashton, a businessman and grazier and ambassador for the Cavignac Group. He is a fourth-generation Harboroughian. His father was of mostly Ghaillish descent; one of Ashton's maternal great-grandfathers, Lorenzo Bianchi, was a pioneer scientist in the field of cognitive science and a professor of psychology at Middleton University. Ashton is the second cousin, twice removed, of fellow politician Emelia Mayer.
Ashton attended primary school at Glenmore Park Public School and lower and upper secondary school at McMahon Union High School. While in high school, he was a member of the Valentirian National Youth Organization, a national civic engagement and political debate organization for students.
Ashton majored in political science and communication studies and received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Harborough in 1992 as a Fairfax Scholar. During that time, he served on the student council, was president of the St. Augustin Hall fraternity and literary society, founded the Harborough Urban Experience, and co-wrote and performed in three years of the Rising Sun, a student-written musical, whose past co-writers include Ryan Hamilton, James Kensington Gemmell, and F. P. Barnum I. He also received a Masters of International Affairs from the Middleton University, graduating in 1993.
Professional career
Prior to his election as Mayor of Harborough, Ashton was a visiting instructor of international affairs at Middleton University and an assistant professor of diplomacy and world affairs at the University of Harborough. His academic work focused on ethnic conflict and nationalism in Southeast Coius and Asteria Inferior. During this time, he published articles and chapters of books on post-conflict societies, Xiaodongese nationalism, and non-violent action. He has served on the Westcliff board of Human Rights Watch, and currently serves on the advisory board for Young Storytellers, an arts education nonprofit organization based in Harborough.
Mayor of Harborough
Early provincial politics
Premier of Westcliff
Leader of the National Liberals
2020 presidential campaign
Political positions
Ashton personally identifies as a social liberal, affirming that he sits towards the centre-left of the Valentirian political spectrum. Some observers describe him as a "radical centrist" and others have called him a social democrat. His stances on various economic and social issues, such as LGBT rights, economic inequality, international trade, workplace democracy, and firearm regulations have led some to describe him a Progressive.
Ashton has been labelled as a populist by the Valentirian media and members of his party, but he hasn't embraced the term. Academics indicate that his rhetoric is derived heavily from civic nationalism and left-wing populism, the former of which Ashton has personally expressed support for and is a central tenet of the National Liberal Party.
He is an ardent supporter of grassroots politics, regional organisations and community political activism.
Economy
Economically Ashton has stated that he is both pro-labour and pro-business, asserting that neither are mutually exclusive with one another.
Electoral reform
Ashton supports reforming the electoral process in Valentir, referring to it as "broken and outdated" on multiple occasions. He advocates for an MMP electoral system to "ensure that every Valentirian is represented and given a voice in our Parliament." His most recent proposal would double the size of the Federal Assembly from 600 to 1200, adding additional 600 list seats to help secure proportional representation.
Foreign policy
Immigration
Defence and security
Environment
Healthcare
Education
Controversies
Political figures from the Valentirian Federation of Labour and New Centre, notably opposition leader Gaultier Babineaux, have accused Ashton of political opportunism, asserting that he is "a liar who will say anything and promise everyone the world in order to get elected." Babineaux has cited similarities between the 2009 VFL campaign manifesto and several policies outlined by Ashton during the 2017 general election. Ashton has responded to these criticisms several times. "I'm a former member of the VFL and have always been committed to creating a more just and equal Valentir. Babineaux and the VFL don't hold a monopoly on a progressive vision for this country and he should look to the polls in an attempt to understand that better."
Personal life
Ashton first met Alessia Sorrentino during a vacation to San Alessandro, where he was visiting extended family. They became friends during his stay and wrote to one another regularly after he returned to Valentir. Ashton would visit Sorrentino several times during the late 80's, culminating in a relationship beginning in 1989. Ashton and Sorrentino became engaged in 1991 and were married on 1 July 1993. Sorrentino moved to Valentir shortly afterwards. They have four children: Michael Lionel Ashton (born 10 June 2005), Alexandra Alessia Ashton (born 7 October 2007), Evelyn Victoria Ashton (born 20 November 2011) and Elijah William Ashton (born 20 November 2011).
Electoral record
Federal
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ∆% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Liberal Party | William Ashton | 64,137 | 74.14 |  TBD
| |
| Progressive Republican Party | Richard Simmons | 10,415 | 12.04 |  TBD
| |
| Valentirian Federation of Labour | Yves-François Blanchet | 7,883 | 9.11 | TBD
| |
| New Centre | Gerard Nielsen | 2,721 | 3.15 | TBD
| |
| Green Party | Pierre Rossignol | 4,609 | 4.23 | TBD
| |
| Invalid/blank | 245 | 0.28 | N/A | ||
| Total | 86,513 | 100 | N/A | ||
| National Liberal hold | Majority | TBD
| |||