William Ashton: Difference between revisions

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==Early life==
==Early life==
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==
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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==Political positions==
==Political positions==
Ashton personally identifies as a {{wp|Social liberalism|social liberal}}, affirming that he sits towards the centre-left of the Valentirian political spectrum. Some observers describe him as a "{{wp|Radical centrism|radical centrist}}" and others have called him a {{wp|Social democracy|social democrat}}. His stances on various economic and social issues, such as {{wp|LGBT rights}}, {{wp|Economic inequality|economic inequality}}, {{wp|International trade|international trade}}, {{wp|Workplace democracy|workplace democracy}}, and {{wp|Overview of gun laws by nation|firearm regulations}} have led some to describe him a {{wp|Progressivism|Progressive}}.
Ashton has been labelled as a {{wp|Populism|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 {{wp|Civic nationalism|civic nationalism}} and {{wp|Left-wing populism|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 {{wp|Grassroots|grassroots politics}}, {{wp|Federalism in Valentir|regional organisations}} and {{wp|Activism|community political activism}}.
===Economy===
===Economy===
Economically Ashton has stated that he is both {{wp|Labour movement|pro-labour}} and {{wp|Entrepreneurship|pro-business}}, asserting that neither are mutually exclusive with one another.


==Electoral reform==
==Electoral reform==
Ashton supports reforming the electoral process in Valentir, referring to it as "broken and outdated" on multiple occasions. He advocates for an {{wp|Mixed-member proportional representation|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 of Valentir|Federal Assembly]] from 600 to 1200, adding additional 600 list seats to help secure proportional representation.
===Foreign policy===
===Foreign policy===
===Immigration===
===Immigration===
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===Education===
===Education===


==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 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==
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==
==Electoral record==

Revision as of 18:53, 13 February 2021

William Ashton
MP
JT Photo.jpg
Member of the Valentirian Parliament for Harborough—Middleton
Assumed office
4 November 2014
Preceded byYves-François Blanchet
Majority53,722 (62.1%)
Leader of the National Liberal Party
In office
13 July 2015 – 7 September 2017
DeputyAshleigh Khanna
Preceded byGregor McGrath
Succeeded byAshleigh Khanna
Premier of Westcliff
In office
12 February 2008 – 12 February 2014
DeputyGregor McGrath
Emelia Mayer
Preceded byBrendan H. Lodge IV
Succeeded byEmelia Mayer
Leader of the Westcliff National Liberal Party
In office
3 May 2007 – 12 February 2014
DeputyMartin de Michel
Emelia Mayer
Preceded byTBD
Succeeded byEmelia Mayer
Member of the Westcliff Legislative Assembly for Harborough—Amber Park
In office
26 March 2005 – 12 February 2014
Preceded byTBD
Succeeded byTBD
Mayor of Harborough
In office
5 March 2000 – 5 March 2004
Preceded byTBD
Succeeded byTBD
Personal details
Born
William Michael Ashton

15 July 1971 (age 48)
Amaranthine, Westcliff, Valentir
Political partyNational Liberal Party (2005-present)
Other political
affiliations		Valentirian Federation of Labour (1993–2005)
Spouse(s)
Children4
Residence(s)Middleton Gardens, Harborough
ProfessionPolitician
EducationUniversity of Harborough (BA)
Middleton University (MIA)
ParentsFrederick 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

Mayor of Harborough

Early provincial politics

Premier of Westcliff

Leader of the National Liberals

2020 presidential campaign

Political positions

Economy

Electoral reform

Foreign policy

Immigration

Defence and security

Environment

Healthcare

Education

Controversies

Personal life

Electoral record

Federal

e • d  2017 Valentirian general election: Harborough—Middleton
Party Candidate Votes % ∆%
National Liberal Party William Ashton 64,137 74.14 Increase TBD
Progressive Republican Party Richard Simmons 10,415 12.04 Decrease TBD
Valentirian Federation of Labour Yves-François Blanchet 7,883 9.11 Decrease TBD
New Centre Gerard Nielsen 2,721 3.15 Decrease TBD
Green Party Pierre Rossignol 4,609 4.23 Decrease TBD
Invalid/blank 245 0.28 N/A
Total 86,513 100 N/A
National Liberal hold Majority Increase 53,722
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