William Ashton

William Ashton MP
Member of the Valentirian Parliament for Harborough—Middleton
Incumbent
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.

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.

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

  Valentirian general election, 2017: Harborough—Middleton

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