Jon Ashworth visited the Labour Club at the University of Leicester to hear direct from students about the issues that matter to them.

Jon regularly engages with students at both universities in the city, and this session was an opportunity for members of the Labour Club to raise concerns with him, and also ask him about his political views, how Parliament works, and wider questions about the role of a local MP.

Speaking before the event, Jon said: “Young people are often accused of not taking an interest in current and topical affairs, but I don’t think that’s fair. I’ve lost count of how many times young people, especially students, have emailed me about their concerns.”

Jonathan met with AS Citizenship, and AS Government and Politics Students, and members of the Debating Society.

Speaking before the visit, Jon said: “I have met with Politics Students before at this very successful Sixth Form College. I’m sure that this visit will be as enjoyable for me as the last one, and I hope the students gain a fuller understanding of the different roles of an MP, both in Parliament and in the Constituency.”

At the end of the last academic year the College achieved a very high overall pass rate of 96% with over 70% of grades awarded at A* - C and 22 subjects having a pass rate of 100%. These results allowed the students to progress to a wide range of Higher Education courses and employment opportunities.

Sue Munroe, Government and Politics teacher and Course Leader for Citizenship, stated: “We are delighted to welcome Jon Ashworth back to QE. Hearing a politician talk in person about their role will help our students to understand the relevance of politics to everyday life. I am sure some of the students will have some very interesting questions for Jon.”

Jon met with patients from Highfields Medical Centre following the closure of this GP Practice earlier this month.

Prior to this meeting with patients outside the practice on Melbourne Road, Jon raised their concerns with the Chief Executive of NHS England, the local Director of NHS England and the Chief Executive of Leicester City Clinical Commissioning Group.

Speaking before the meeting Jon said: “I have been contacted by many patients of the Highfields Medical Centre following its relocation to the Merlyn Vaz Health Centre. I am deeply concerned that there appears to have been a lack of meaningful engagement with the patients registered at the practice, and that they were only told of the move two weeks before it took place.”

“It is very disturbing that both the Clinical Commissioning Group, and especially NHS England, did not work with patients in advance of the relocation to assist those who do not want to travel to the Merlyn Vaz Centre to register with alternative local practices.”

“Once again, it is clear that the massive top-down re-organisation of the NHS undertaken by this Tory led Government not only wasted £3 billion, but is letting the patients down the NHS is meant to serve. Our cherished NHS is only just surviving and another five more years of the Tories could push it over the edge. It is always fallen to Labour to rescue the NHS and we will do it again.”

Outside the now closed Practice Jon was handed a petition signed by patients of Highfields Medical Practice.

Photo above top; Jon speaking with former patients of Highfields Medical Centre outside the Practice, photo above bottom, Jon with former patients and the petition on the steps of the Practice, photo right, Jon on steps of the closed Practice

This evening Jonathan attended the Belgrave Road ceremony, which saw the switching-on of Diwali lights all the way down the iconic Golden Mile.

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, and commemorates the victory of good over evil.

The Diwali lights in Leicester are switched on every year a few weeks before the day of the festival itself. Last year the ceremony was attended by tens of thousands of people, and the Leicester celebrations are reported to be the biggest such celebrations in the world outside India.

The lights ceremony also involves performances from local groups and students across the city, attracting people of all ages to the event.

Jon Ashworth held a public meeting at St Philip’s Church Hall to discuss his recent trip to the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The meeting, which is just one in a number of other previous events, gave constituents the opportunity to question Jon direct about his visit to the West Bank in August.

Speaking before the event, Jon said: “There are a lot of people who feel very passionate about this issue. I often get hundreds of emails from constituents about Palestinian affairs, and this summer was a particularly important time for people because of the humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza.”

Jonathan’s visit was part of a delegation with Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, and CAABU (the Council for Arab-British Understanding).

As part of that visit, he met with Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and various United Nations agencies in the area. He visited Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem amongst other places in the West Bank.

Jon met members of the School Council before having a tour of the School with the Head Teacher, Mrs Patricia Mason, and the Chair of Governors, Mr Mike Cummins. Jon visited each of the nine classes at St Thomas More that range in age from 4 to 11 year olds.

Speaking before the event Jon said: “I’m looking forward to meeting all of the classes at St Thomas More. I’ll be speaking with the young children about what an MP does and answering their questions, which no doubt will be tricky ones!! Hopefully it will be a fun and interesting visit for everyone.”

Jon visited St Thomas More as part of the ‘Inspiring the Future’ programme which will help children understand the link between learning in school and the world of work. The programme also celebrates and raises the profile of the fantastic primary schools in the City.

Jon Ashworth MP attended De Montfort Hall on the evening of Friday 03 October to participate in Navratri celebrations.

The festival of Navratri is a nine-night long celebration dedicated to the worship of the Hindu Goddess Shakti. Shakti is considered to be the Mother Goddess in the Hindu tradition, and each of the different nine nights of the festival celebrates the various forms that the Goddess takes.

Speaking before the event, Jon said: “I’m really looking forward to celebrating Navratri again this year. I’ve gone to previous Navratri celebrations with the Hindu community in Leicester, and it was great fun! People from all generations came together, and it was great to see children – even some toddlers! – celebrating with their parents and grandparents for Navratri.”

A festival of nine nights, Navratri is celebrated with nights of Indian folk dancing. The festival is popular amongst the Gujarati and Bengali communities in particular, but is largely celebrated across the whole Hindu community.

This year, Jon celebrated on the ninth and final night.

The Navratri celebrations at De Montfort Hall are organised by the Leicester Hindu Festival Council.

Mr Jashvantlal R Chauhan OBE, General Secretary of the Leicester Hindu Festival Council, commented: “Our Navratri celebrations at De Montfort Hall are not only the most popular and respected throughout the UK, but they are also renowned for their adherence to religious rites and rituals. We have always received whole-hearted support from the Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth, not only for Navratri celebrations but also other celebrations throughout the year. We are also supported by Leicester City Council.”

The UK sign manufacturer has experienced a consistent amount of growth over the years, due to their constant investment in the latest technology and their skilled workforce that comprises over 40 staff members.

Managing Director Gary Iley took over from his father who established Sygnet Signs in 1974.

Gary stated: “We are very proud to have reached our 40th anniversary this year and I believe that the reason for this is due to us adhering to our mission statement, namely, Sygnet Signs aims to be the leading sign maker in the UK by investing in the latest machinery and constantly striving to provide the best quality product.”

Sygnet Signs is based in Leicester City Centre and manufactures multi sign roll outs for a wide variety of UK sign and display companies. The company fabricates all of its signs in-house and has specific departments available to deal with each area of the manufacturing process from concept through to final product.