Ashley Dalton Explained
Ruth Ashley Charman Dalton (born 15 August 1972) is a British Labour Party politician and former community worker who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for West Lancashire since the 2023 West Lancashire by-election, succeeding Rosie Cooper.[1]
Early life, education and career
Ruth Ashley Charman Dalton[2] was born on 15 August 1972[3] [4] and raised in Leyland, South Ribble, in Lancashire.[5] Her father worked on the factory floor at Leyland Motors, and later set up his own business as a nurseryman.[6] She became aware of the Labour Party at the age of 14, when a customer ordered 40 red rose buttonholes for a by-election count from her father's florist's shop, and joined the party while at university.[7]
She attended All Hallows Catholic High School in Penwortham (1983–1988) and Preston College (1989–1991), and obtained a BA in English and politics (1996) and a DipHE in professional development (voluntary sector) (1997) from Middlesex University.[8]
Dalton worked for Southend-on-Sea Council for 17 years, and at the time of her selection she worked part-time for a Lancashire charity.
Political career
Dalton was Labour's candidate in Rochford and Southend East in the 2017 and 2019 general elections.[9]
She was selected on 9 October 2022 as Labour's candidate in the West Lancashire by-election.[10] The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Rosie Cooper.[11] Dalton was elected MP with 14,068 votes (62.3%).[12] In her victory speech, Dalton called for a general election.[13]
Dalton took her oath of office on Monday 20 February.[14] She signed an early day motion welcoming the investigation into the 2022 UEFA Champions League final chaos on the same day.[15] She was a guest at the coronation of Charles III and Camilla.[16]
In the House of Commons she was Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities on the Opposition frontbench of Keir Starmer until July 2024.[17]
Dalton is a member of Labour Friends of Israel.[18]
Personal life
Dalton is a survivor of breast cancer.[19] She is a parent and a carer.[20] Her ex-husband died of kidney cancer.[21]
She identifies as LGBT,[22] [23] and has called herself "a gay woman".[24]
Notes and References
- News: Faye . Brown . West Lancashire by-election: Labour hold onto seat . 10 February 2023 . . 10 February 2023.
- Web site: Statement of persons nominated ... Election of a Member of Parliament for West Lancashire . Acting Returning Officer . 9 February 2023 . 13 January 2023.
- News: Prince . Rosa . Welcome home Rishi Sunak . 10 June 2024 . Politico . 15 August 2023 . Birthdays ... West Lancashire MP Ashley Dalton.
- Web site: Haygarth . Dan . 2023-02-12 . New MP's journey from charity worker to Westminster . 2024-06-10 . Liverpool Echo . en . Ms Dalton, 50.
- News: Bugel . Safi . 8 February 2023 . West Lancashire byelection: Labour odds-on favourite to hold seat . en-GB . . 9 February 2023 . 0261-3077.
- News: Barre . Claire . 12 October 2022 . Labour Party's 'surprise' candidate for crunch West Lancashire by-election dubbed 'referendum on fracking' . 9 February 2023 . LancsLive . en.
- News: Bugel . Safi . Labour wins West Lancashire byelection with 10% swing . 10 February 2023 . The Guardian . 10 February 2023.
- Web site: Ashley Dalton . LinkedIn . 9 February 2023.
- Web site: Neame . Katie . Voters head to the polls in West Lancashire to select their next MP . 9 February 2023 . 9 February 2023 . LabourList . en-GB.
- News: Williams . Olivia . 9 October 2022 . Labour candidate announced for West Lancashire by-election . 9 February 2023 . Liverpool Echo.
- News: Mairead . Smyth . 5 February 2023 . West Lancashire by-election: Candidates step up battle for votes . en-GB . . 9 February 2023.
- News: Penna . Dominic . 10 February 2023 . Labour secures comfortable win in West Lancashire byelection . en-GB . . 10 February 2023 . 0307-1235.
- Web site: Labour's West Lancashire by-election winner Ashley Dalton takes aim at Tories . YouTube . The Independent . 9 February 2023 . 10 February 2023.
- Web site: Wheeler . Richard . Labour MPs cheer the arrival of their newest Commons colleague . Irish News . 21 February 2023.
- Web site: 2022 Champions League Final and Liverpool Football Club supporters . UK Parliament . 21 February 2023.
- Web site: Torrance . David . 25 October 2023 . House of Commons Library: Research Briefing Number CBP 9789 - The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla . 31 October 2023 . UK Parliament.
- Web site: Ashley Dalton MP, Labour Women's Network Committee . 2024-01-19 . Labour Women's Network.
- Web site: LFI Parliamentary Supporters . Labour Friends of Israel . 6 July 2017 . 11 February 2024.
- Web site: Lewis. Berrill . Ashley Dalton calls for improved cancer screening access . 1 October 2021 . 9 February 2023 . Echo . en.
- Web site: Why I'm Standing . Ashley Dalton for West Lancashire . 10 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230209233237/https://www.ashleydalton.uk/why-im-standing/ . 9 February 2023.
- Dalton . Ashley . Ashley Dalton . Ashley__Dalton . 1525027728843591680 . 13 May 2022 . My late ex husband ... . 10 February 2023 .
- Dalton . Ashley . Ashley Dalton . Ashley__Dalton . 1423909273680191491 . 7 August 2021 . I'm standing for election ... . 10 February 2023 . I'm a passionate feminist and LGBT woman .
- Web site: Edwards . Peter . LGBT Labour campaigner picked to take on Tory banker in Essex target seat . LabourList . 10 February 2023 . 11 December 2017.
- News: Safi . Bugel . Polls close in West Lancashire byelection . The Guardian . 10 February 2023 . 9 February 2023.
