Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, supports ‘We Shall Overcome’ |
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Monday September 28 2015 |
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‘We Shall Overcome’ is a national initiative organised by community-minded musicians and performers to highlight the human cost to the politics of austerity. In a show of solidarity 200 events are taking place across the UK from 1 to 4 October.
Several thousand musicians will perform with audiences encouraged to bring food for foodbanks or make donations to homelessness and other projects.
The Leicester event is at The Exchange in the City Centre on Thursday 1 October from 8pm to late. Admission to the event is free but people are asked to bring a food donation, toiletries or to donate money.
Speaking before the gig on 1 October, Jon said: “It is fantastic that local musicians have come together to organise this event to give much needed support to Leicester’s food banks. Please come along to the gig and help local people.”
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‘We Shall Overcome’ is a community initiative led by musicians and music promoters who want to do something practical to help people in their area who are being hit hard by the austerity agenda.
Mr Plow, one of the organisers of the gig at The Exchange, said: “We Shall Overcome is part of an anti-austerity movement but it is also very much pro-community. We wanted to do our bit here in Leicester to show solidarity and be part of something big that’s happening right across the country.” |
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| ‘We Shall Overcome’ |
| The performers at The Exchange include The Kevin Hewick Trio, Red Leicester Choir, Mr Plow and The uPbeatles. |
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| Photo above, Jon with some of Highfields Food Bank volunteers |
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Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, meets with the FBU |
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Friday
September 25 2015 |
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Jon Ashworth today met with representative from the Fire Brigades Union to discuss proposed changes to Fire and Rescue Services in Leicester.
After the meeting, Jon said: “I am very concerned with the proposals put forward by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service. I am anxious about the plan to close the Leicester Central Fire Station.”
When Jon visited the Central Fire Station last year he operated the Aerial Ladder Platform that is vital in tackling fires and rescuing people from high rise buildings. If the Central Fire Station closes it is unclear where the Aerial Ladder Platform will be stationed especially given its need in the City Centre.
Jon commented: “I encourage all residents of Leicester to let the Fire Service know their views on the proposals and respond to the consultation that started today.”
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To respond to the consultation, that is called ‘Towards 2020: IRMP Consultation’, please go to;
www.leicestershire-fire.gov.uk/irmp |
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| Photos right show Jon on the Aerial
Ladder Platform at the Central Fire Station |
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any photo for enlargement |
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Jon Ashworth MP Out and About in Aylestone with Local Councillors |
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Friday September 18 2015 |
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Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, was out door knocking and meeting residents in the Aylestone area of the City.
Jon was joined by Ward Councillor, Adam Clark, and Councillor Kitterick.
Jon said: “I enjoy meeting my constituents and listening to any concerns and their views. Myself and the Labour Councillors are out and about all year round meeting their constituents on the doorstep.
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Any issues raised today will be taken up by myself and the local Councillors. We are on your side in these tough times.”
“If you want me to visit your street or your local area please contact my office.”
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| Photo right, Jon with (left to right) Councillors Kitterick and Clarke |
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Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, visits the Samworth Academy |
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Friday September 18 2015 |
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Jon Ashworth had a tour of the Academy before meeting year 11 pupils who are taking Citizenship GCSE.
Speaking before the visit to Samworth Jon said:
“I’m looking forward to speaking with the young children about elections. Given that there were three elections earlier this year in Leicester there will be plenty to talk about.
Hopefully it will be a fun and interesting session for everyone.”
As well as discussing the various voting systems, the different ways of voting and the voting age will also be debated with the pupils.
Ms Boyce, a teacher at Samworth, stated: “The pupils will gain a great deal from meeting their local MP and I know they will have lots of interesting questions for Jon.”
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| Photo above, Jon answering questions from the Year 11 Citizenship Class, top right,on a school tour with Luke and Rhiann from Year 11, bottom right, Luke, Jon, Rhiann and The Principal of Samworth Academy, Ian Harrison |
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Jon Ashworth MP says “Refugees Welcome” in response to crisis |
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Friday September 4 2015 |
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Jon Ashworth MP has set out his position that refugees are welcome to Britain, after Europe has witnessed one of the worst crises since the Second World War.
In recent days, images have flooded the media of refugees desperately fleeing Syria, Iraq, Eritrea and other countries and trying to find safe-haven in Europe. The images led to a huge outcry, with the public pressuring the UK Government to accept more refugees.
Jonathan has supported the refugees’ cause for many months and has spoken about it numerous times in the House of Commons.
He has also joined the social media campaign, ‘#RefugeesWelcome’, to put more pressure on the Government.
So far more than 370,000 people have signed a petition calling for the Government to help these refugees, and the number is rapidly growing. |
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Jonathan said: “This situation really is heart-breaking. On Thursday we saw images of a child who has died trying to make the dangerous journey to Europe. Britain cannot just stand by and do nothing while a catastrophic humanitarian crisis is killing so many people.”
“I’ve been urging the Government to take action, and I would strongly urge people to sign the petition if they haven’t already done so.”
The link to the petition can be found here:
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| https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/105991 |
Jonathan has also written an article about the crisis: |
| http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Jon-Ashworth-MP-pressure-Prime-Minister-action/story-27730489-detail/story.html |
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| Jon also attended the Vigil for refugees at Cathedral Gardens on Sunday 6 September. The photo above shows Jon at the Vigil next to the Very Reverend David Monteith, Dean of Leicester |
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