Jon Ashworth says Labour Together will focus on ‘bold ideas’ and next election as ex-MP becomes think tank chief

The former shadow cabinet member Jon Ashworth, who lost his Leicester seat at the election, has been appointed the new chief executive of the influential Starmerite think tank Labour Together.

It comes after its former chief Josh Simons was elected as the new MP for Makerfield.

The appointment of such a senior Labour figure to the think tank, which has swelled in size, resources and influence from just two staff to dozens in the past two years, suggests it is likely to remain closely linked to and valuable to the new Labour administration. It was highly involved in both Labour’s election preparations and Starmer’s previous leadership campaign.

Ashworth was previously Shadow Paymaster General, but was one of several Labour MPs defeated by independent candidates in areas with higher numbers of Muslim voters, in what has been widely seen as a backlash over the party’s Gaza stance. He had been an MP since 2010.

The think tank said: “We are delighted to welcome Jon Ashworth as our new Chief Executive. After more than two decades working at the highest levels of Labour, Jonathan brings unparalleled insight, relationships and political experience to Labour Together.”

Ashworth wrote on X: “Some personal news. Labour Together was so integral to our victory last week. LT will continue to generate bold ideas to transform Britain for the better and help win a second term. I’m so honoured and excited to now be part of this amazing team.”

Simons wrote: “Over the last eight years, Labour Together has helped Labour become an electoral force equipped and ready to change Britain for the better. I’m so proud to have had the opportunity to lead it for the past few years. Today, I’m handing over to Jon Ashworth.”

.

READ MORE: Sign up to our must-read daily briefing email on all things Labour


Read more of our 2024 general election coverage:

North East Somerset and Hanham: Can Labour mayor Dan Norris consign Jacob Rees-Mogg to history?

Finchley and Golders Green: Can Labour win back Britain’s most Jewish seat?

Small boats and Tory mutineers: Can veteran Mike Tapp win Dover and Deal?

East Thanet: Inside the battle for coastal ex-UKIP stronghold not won since 2005

Sheffield Hallam: ‘Can Labour’s Olivia Blake hold on in Nick Clegg’s old seat?’

Battle of the bar charts in Wimbledon: Inside a rare election three-horse race

Could Labour take ‘non-battleground’ Tory seats across the South West?

Meet NHS doctor Zubir Ahmed, fighting one of Scotland’s tightest marginals

Brighton Pavilion: As Starmer visits, can Labour win the Greens’ one seat?

Labour wants a new generation of new towns. Can it win in Milton Keynes?

Meet Gordon McKee, the 29-year-old son of a welder vying for Glasgow South

Revealed: The battlegrounds attracting most activists as 17,000 sign up


 


SHARE: If you have anything to share that we should be looking into or publishing about this story – or any other topic involving Labour or the election – contact us (strictly anonymously if you wish) at [email protected]

SUBSCRIBE: Sign up to LabourList’s morning email here for the best briefing on everything Labour, every weekday morning. 

DONATE: If you value our work, please donate to become one of our supporters here and help sustain and expand our coverage.

PARTNER: If you or your organisation might be interested in partnering with us on sponsored events or content, email [email protected].

More from LabourList

DONATE HERE

We provide our content free, but providing daily Labour news, comment and analysis costs money. Small monthly donations from readers like you keep us going. To those already donating: thank you.

If you can afford it, can you join our supporters giving £10 a month?

And if you’re not already reading the best daily round-up of Labour news, analysis and comment…

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DAILY EMAIL