In a recent interview with Beth Rigby’s Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Jonathan Ashworth, the former Labour MP for Leicester South, suggested that he may return to parliament in the future. Ashworth, who was defeated by independent candidate Shockat Adam in the recent election, stated that he is “still around” and “not going anywhere.”
Ashworth, who represented Leicester South from 2011 until his election defeat, was appointed head of the influential Labour thinktank Labour Together shortly after his loss. When asked by Rigby if he could return to Westminster in a by-election, Ashworth replied, “I’m still involved… I’m not going anywhere.” Rigby speculated that Ashworth could make a comeback, to which he responded, “People got into a lot of trouble betting on politics in recent weeks. So just be careful!”
Ashworth described the campaign as “very difficult” and “nasty,” and expressed regret for not speaking out more about intimidation during the campaign. He also reflected on the changing dynamics of parliament, noting that the Labour government’s large majority has made it difficult for opposition MPs to effect change.
Ashworth’s defeat was a shock result, with Adam winning by just 979 votes. Ashworth said it was “brutal to lose” and that he had underestimated the impact of the pro-Gaza platform on his constituency. He also criticized the media coverage of the election campaign, suggesting that it did not accurately reflect the situation on the ground.
In his interview, Ashworth also discussed the changing dynamics of parliament, noting that the Labour government’s large majority has made it difficult for opposition MPs to effect change. He described the current situation as “a really frightening phenomenon in British politics.”
Despite his disappointment, Ashworth remained philosophical, saying, “If you play this game of politics, you’ve got to accept that you’re going to win and you’re going to lose. You’ve got to take the rough with the smooth.” His hints at a potential return to parliament will likely be closely watched by political observers.
