Jon Ashworth MP visited Moat Community College and answered questions on his role as a Member of Parliament.

Jon visited 14 and 15 year olds at their Citizenship Class to explain his role as an MP, both at the House of Commons and in his Constituency of Leicester South.

Prior to the visit, Jon said: “I'm really looking forward to visiting Moat Community College and I know from experience that I will face some tough questions from the students. It is always good to listen to young people's views on politicians and I hear at first-hand what matters to young people.”

After attending the Year 10 Citizenship Class Jon met with the Principal, Nigel Boyd, and had a tour of the College's facilities.

Nigel Boyd stated: “It was very good of Jon to spend some time with our students and provide them with the excellent opportunity to quiz a Member of Parliament – I am sure they had some very challenging questions. The students and staff were really looking forward to meeting Jon.”

In 2006 Moat Community College was designated a Specialist Science and Maths College in 2006 it now provides an excellent all-round education with particular emphasis on science and maths.

Jon commented: “As the local MP I love visiting schools and colleges in Leicester South. Providing opportunities for our next generation is one of my top priorities as an MP which is why I place such high importance on meeting young people and listening to their views and opinions.”

Caroline continued by saying “It sets an exciting precedent which organisations such as local authorities and housing associations could take up to negotiate better energy deals on behalf of their residents. Our energy market needsreform – and people power is the first step.”

Jon Ashworth MP called a public meeting against the Health Bill on Saturday 17 March at the Leicester Adult Education College on Wellington Street.

Jon stated: “I called this public meeting after hundreds of constituents contacted me who are opposed to this Health Bill that will effectively see the break up of the NHS and the creation of an unfair postcode lottery – in some areas people could have to go private to get services that are available free elsewhere.”

Other speakers at the meeting on 17 March included John Lister from London Health Emergency, Dr Louise Irvine and local health care academic Sally Ruane.

Approximately 250 people attended the debate. Jon commented: “It is vital that everyone understands the threat to the future of the NHS by the government's Bill. And it is not just the Labour Party that is opposed to the changes – doctors, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists and others are all opposed to the Health and Social Care Bill.”

“I strongly believe it is unforgivable to spend £3.5 billion on a reckless re-organisation when the NHS needs every penny it can get for patient care. Since the election 3,500 nursing jobs have already been lost and as many as 6,000 could be lost over the course of this Parliament.”

Instead of answering the questions Jon Ashworth MP asked the questions at Leicester City Council's Youth Election hustings.

Jon asked the questions at the hustings event on Friday 16 March in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall. Candidates from across the City were present, including the Neighbourhoods within Jon's Constituency of Leicester South.

Before the event Jon said: “It will be great to ask the questions instead of answering them, but more importantly it is fantastic that so many people are standing in the Youth Council Elections and want to represent the young people of Leicester.”

The Young People's Council is split into eight neighbourhoods with each neighbourhood representing a cluster of political wards.

Jon commented: “It is vital that the views, needs and wishes of young people are truly heard within Leicester, and the Young People's Council is one way to do this."

"Not only will those successful in the election be able to influence the decisions of the City Council, but the top four candidates with the most votes will represent Leicester at the UK Youth Parliament.”

“Having the opportunity to sit in the UK Youth Parliament as a Member, or a Deputy Member, will be a tremendous experience. You never know, one day one of the young people will return to Parliament as an MP.”

For further information on the Youth People's Council elections can be found at:

www.leicester.gov.uk/chooseorlose

and on Facebook at ‘Choose or Lose Leicester'
PLUS, you can watch the event here:

www.leicester.public-webcast

Jon spent Friday 16 March at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, which is in his Constituency, visiting different departments of the hospital.

Jon was accompanied on the tour, which began in the Emergency Department, by the Chairman of the Trust, Martin Hindle.At the Emergency Department and the Acute Medical Unit Jon was shown the systems that are in place, and the specialist services, for older patients.

Jon said: “As the local MP it is vital that I support the work of the Leicester Royal Infirmary and at the same time gain an awareness of the issues faced by the hospital on a day to day basis. The best way to do this is by talking to the staff at the frontline and listening to their experiences.”

After a brief break Jon made a tour of the hospital's cancer services, which also included the work that the hospital undertakes with Hope Against Cancer and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Malcolm Lowe-Lauri, Chief Executive at Leicester's Hospitals, said before the visit: “We're really pleased that Jon is interested in spending some time at one of our hospitals to understand more about what we do, the challenges we face and seeing some of the amazing work our staff do first hand.  We hope he will enjoy the experience.”

Jon's day at the Royal Infirmary concluded with a visit to the neonatal team.

Leicester South MP, Jon Ashworth, paid a visit to Friendly Friday Goes Large! on Friday 9 March.

Friendly Fridays gives members of the community who are thinking of setting up businesses, or have an existing business, the opportunity to meet local businesses for advice.

Jon said: “Small businesses are a vital part of the UK economy and so anything that can be done to encourage small business and to help them survive and be successful is welcome.”

Beckie Sanderson, the Director of Engage Multimedia, that organises Friendly Fridays explained: “Friendly Fridays have been running for a year and to celebrate the success of this initiative we organised a ‘Goes Large!' event on March 9. If you have not been to a friendly Fridays event before then this one should not to be missed. The event was free, so we asked the question: why not come along?”

The event ran from 10am to 2pm and included presentations, information and advice stalls, workshops and networking opportunities.

There was also a Business Surgery where people taking their first steps in business, or those with established businesses, could seek assistance.

Jon commented: “Having so many resources available in one place is amazing. Not only can people get advice on local business, but also on social enterprises that can benefit the local community more directly.”

Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, paid a visit to the Lunch Club on Friday 2 March to meet and chat with local people.

The Lunch Club, which meets on a Monday and Friday, has been run by The Eyres Monsell Community Association for over a year.

Jon Ashworth stated: “The Community Association's Lunch Club is a great project and helps to bring people together on the Estate. I really looked forward to meeting residents and having a cup of tea with them.”

Sue Green, Vice Chair of the Eyres Monsell Community Association, stated: “The local people attending the Lunch Club get a fabulous three course meal prepared and cooked at the Community Centre by our highly experienced chef, Paul, for only £3.”

The Lunch Club is attended by around 30 people on Monday and about 20 to 25 on Friday. Tea and coffee is served from 11.30am before the lunch begins at midday.

Jon commented: “Not only do the residents get a quality meal but they meet other people from the area which reduces social isolation. I hope to visit the Lunch Club regularly and I really hope the Lunch Club continues to be a success.”

Photos show, above, Wayne Natzel (Chair of Eyres Monsell Community Association), Jon and local Councillor Virginia Cleaver: top right, Jon with James Hirst and botton right, Jon presenting Julia Foster with her Birthday Cake.

Jon Ashworth MP and students from Leicester College and Leicester High School for Girls returned from the Holocaust Educational Trust's visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau on Wednesday 29th February vowing to act on the lessons learned from the experience.

Jon, and Suleman Nagdi of Leicester Federation of Muslim Organisations, joined more than 200 other post-16 students from around the East Midlands on the Project, a unique opportunity to learn about what happened at Auschwitz-Birkenau, to pay respect to those who lost their lives, and to explore the universal lessons of the Holocaust and its relevance for today.

The students will now use the experience to commemorate and educate others about the Holocaust at their schools and in their local communities.

Jon stated: “I cannot underestimate the importance of visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau and recognising the full extent of the industrialised nature of the Holocaust. These events may have taken place over 60 years ago but as our society bears witness; we need to continue to teach the lessons of the Holocaust to the younger generations in order to fight bigotry and hatred today.”Now in its thirteenth year, the Project is based on the premise that “hearing is not like seeing”.

Students first visited Osweicim, the town where the Auschwitz death and concentration camps were located and where before the war, 58% of the population was Jewish.Students then visited Auschwitz I to see the former camp's barracks and crematoria and witnessing the piles of belongings that were seized by the Nazis.

Finally they spent time at the main killing centre of Birkenau where the day concluded with candle lighting and a period of reflection to remember the 6 million Jews, and the Roma, Sinti, gay, disabled, black people, and other victims of the Nazis killed in the Holocaust.
Jon commented: “I look forward to seeing how the students will communicate their experience to their peers and am encouraged that many more students will have the opportunity to participate in the course in future years. I hope that this will ensure that the Holocaust is never forgotten and that its lessons are truly learnt, disseminated and acted upon.”

Photos, top right, Jon during the visit, middle, Jon and Suleman Nagdi, bottom, Jon, Suleman and students from Leicester College and Leicester High School for Girls.

Click any photo for enlargement