Joe Ashton for Shipley
Your local choice
Welcome
On 1 July 2022, I was longlisted for selection as the Labour Party's parliamentary candidate in Shipley Constituency at the next general election.
Below are my five main campaigning priorities, together with my candidate statement to Labour Party branches and affiliated organisations.
I will be adding more details about my plans in the coming days. Please check back for updates.
Tackling the cost of living
Increases in the cost of living are a major concern for us all. For the poorest and most vulnerable members of our communities, the increases in the costs of food, energy, housing and transport lead to crisis and despair. It is not enough to address the consequences of the cost of living crisis. We must address the causes and fundamentally, we must create a more equal, caring and robust economy and society.
Saving the planet
The scientific evidence is clear that we are facing an environmental, economic and social catastrophe, both at home and abroad, if we do not take radical and speedy action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the pollution of our ground, air and waters. We also urgently require energy and food security. The climate and ecological emergency is a threat to all of us and particularly to the world’s poorest people.
Protecting the NHS and social care
The National Health Service is our country’s greatest achievement but it is in serious danger from under-investment, under-staffing and mismanagement by the Government. Social care services are not properly integrated with healthcare and the financial model for care in later life is broken. We must take urgent and decisive action to ensure that the NHS and social care are there for us when we need them.
Getting a better deal for Shipley
The Shipley constituency has suffered from the dreadful cuts made to local government funding in the name of austerity. We need to ensure that local government is fairly and properly funded. We also need to devolve power from Westminster and Whitehall, to West Yorkshire and City Hall. From there we need to ensure that the most local decisions are devolved, with the necessary funding, to our villages and towns.
Stopping the sleaze
Standards in public life are not good enough. Public confidence and trust in government has been weakened by numerous scandals. We have seen lying, hypocrisy, corruption, greed and dirty money tolerated and even sometimes rewarded. We need a much stronger and more transparent approach to dealing with bad behaviour. Democracy is precious and must be constantly safeguarded.
About Me
I am standing to be your parliamentary candidate for Labour. I am your local choice with the experience to win in Shipley.
I was brought up and educated in Shipley, with a record of over twenty years of voluntary service, including fourteen as a Town Councillor in Baildon. I know the area inside out.
On leaving Titus Salt School, I completed two degrees at the University of Sheffield and qualified as a town and country planner, which led me to a career working across local government. I’ve served as a Town Clerk in Bingley, and am currently the Town Clerk for Shipley working right at the heart of the community, supporting residents to secure grant funding and resolving many other local issues.
I have had the pleasure of working alongside many of you within the Labour Party and in our local communities. I have seen the devastating impact that the last twelve years of Tory rule has had on residents. I am standing because our community needs and deserves better, which can only be achieved with a Labour government.
A Labour Party member since 2006, I am an experienced campaigner having knocked on doors in every street in the constituency. My many campaigning successes include saving a vital local bus service at Higher Coach Road and leading on the re-opening of the much-loved visitor centre at Shipley Glen. I have also held key roles within the party, including Secretary of Shipley CLP and Parliamentary Election Agent for Shipley in the 2017 and 2019 general elections.
To win against the Tories in Shipley, we must run an energetic, strong and visible local campaign.
Our message needs to be direct and relevant, with a clear focus on the cost-of-living crisis, the environmental emergency and the future of our NHS and social care services.
I want to engage Labour Party members in all aspects of our campaign. Success can only be achieved when we listen to each other and work together.
To be selected as your parliamentary candidate for the next general election, in my home constituency, would be the greatest honour and privilege. I hope you will consider putting your trust in me and together I am confident we can beat the Tories.
Get in Touch
Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance or for more information.
Mobile 07989 692677
joseph.t.ashton@gmail.com