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Failed MP hopeful Mark Ashwell rejoins Conservatives

By Victoria Smith
February 15, 2012

A prominent businessman and community champion who shunned the Conservative Party to stand against John Redwood at the last General Election has rejoined the Tories.

Mark Ashwell, former chairman of Wokingham Chamber of Commerce and president of Wokingham & Emmbrook Football Club, has successfully applied to return to Wokingham Conservatives.

He now hopes to stand for Wokingham Borough Council at a future local election.

Mr Ashwell said: “I have rejoined Wokingham Conservatives and I thank them for their pragmatic approach to my membership.”

During his 2010 election campaign as an independent candidate, Mr Ashwell was critical of Mr Redwood’s long tenure as MP for Wokingham and said he believed there should be a change.

He called for better working between the community, government and businesses.

Mr Ashwell, who is managing director of TradeMark Windows in Fishponds Road, received more than 2,300 votes at the election, while Mr Redwood remained as MP, a role he has held since 1987, with more than 28,000 votes.

Mr Ashwell, a father of three boys, said: “My General Election campaign message of 2010 is as relevant now as it was then. I came out of that campaign with the mission of facilitating collaboration between government, community, education and business in Wokingham and beyond.

“I’ve spent two years pursuing this goal, mainly via the business-led Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) initiative.

“I believe I can make a further difference by aspiring to become a Wokingham borough councillor.

“I will be putting my name forward to contest a Wokingham Borough Council seat for the Conservative Party as soon as is possible.

“I believe that nationally the coalition parties are working together to give us the best government in these tough times.

“My views and aspirations seem to be most closely matched to the Wokingham Conservatives.

“Out of the two coalition parties locally, they have been the most inclusive and welcoming.”

Mr Redwood said: “I know Mark has lots of ideas about local issues.

“As an active leader of the Chamber of Commerce he is particularly keen to get the town centre redevelopment under way, and supports our proposals for a new station and road improvements.

“I think it will be good for him and the Conservative team on the borough and town councils if they can work together for a better Wokingham.”

Mr Ashwell was removed from the Conservative Party in March 2010 after declaring he would be standing as an independent candidate for MP against Mr Redwood.

The Conservatives also booted former town councillor Robin Smith out of the party for standing as an independent candidate against Mr Redwood at the 2010 General Election. He has since lost his seat on the town council, but plans to stand again as an independent candidate in the borough.

Wokingham Borough Council is holding elections on Thursday, May 3, for a third of its seats. Voters will be heading to the polls in Bulmershe and Whitegates, Charvil, Emmbrook, Evendons, Finchampstead North, Finchampstead South, Hawkedon, Hillside, Hurst, Loddon, Maiden Erlegh, Norreys, Remenham, Wargrave and Ruscombe, Shinfield South, Twyford, Wescott, Winnersh, and Wokingham Without.

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Most recent user comments 6 of 6

'Should an individual - and one who runs a large local business - have a hand in al of these separate organisations? All seems a little too cosy to me, and I wonder about the potential conflicts of interest. Or at least, something that sounds a bit like an old-boys'-network. '

No - this is exactly the kind of individual we want in politics. Someone who knows the area inside out, knows of running and interfacing with local businesses first hand. As long as Mark declares potential conflicts of interest I see no problem and see it as a benefit rather than a downside.

Furthermore, someone who actually has life experience. Career politicians area exactly why the country is in such a mess at the moment.

alex_f, Wokingham
15/07/2012 at 10:57

I was Mark’s Campaign Manager in the 2010 General Election and part of a team whose political leanings were left, right or centre. What drew us together was a common belief that the country was in such a parlous state, that party divides could no longer be trusted to produce effective solutions. Mark’s Independent Candidate campaign was all about business, government and the community, working together. This objective might appear obvious, but our collective experience told us this was not happening and that many organisations merely existed to promote their own interests. Solutions are not easy to find and require those who have the power to be sat at the same table; i.e. the community, business and government. That is when the hard work starts, requiring dedication, creativity and a large slice of good will. I believe it was a brave decision by Mark to re-join the Conservative Party; he knew he was going to be open to the type of comments on this page. Knowing him though as I do, he will have re-joined in the hope that he can help continue the prosperity of the area and also support the less fortunate too. The voters who enabled him to gather more votes than UKIP, the Greens and the other Independents put together, largely came from those who know Mark and were keen to show their support. I believe he will be a credit to any party he represents, because ultimately he will be a voice for the community he loves. As an old independent, I support none of the political parties, but I wish him all the best. Mike Churcher

Mike Churcher
12/03/2012 at 16:35

Suuuuuuumaaaaaaas!!

Josimar86
15/02/2012 at 17:00

Quite right Matthew. i would extend that line of thought to many more politicians though, it's not unique to Mr Ashwell.

Does anyone understand the workings of WEL, the chamber of commerce and council elections well enough to put together Mr Ashwell's links to all three? Didn't he recently leave WEL (which is making a bit of a mess of regeneration and missing self-set deadlines)? Should an individual - and one who runs a large local business - have a hand in al of these separate organisations? All seems a little too cosy to me, and I wonder about the potential conflicts of interest. Or at least, something that sounds a bit like an old-boys'-network.

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
15/02/2012 at 13:04

Quite right Matthew. i would extend that line of thought to many more politicians though, it's not unique to Mr Ashwell.

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
15/02/2012 at 11:45

Wait, so he presumably stood as an independent in 2010 because he didn't agree with the Tory line? So what has changed now to precipitate his rejoining? Could it possibly be that his lack of success as an independent has led him to think that the only chance he has of winning any elected seat is on a Conservative ticket.

So either a) Mark Ashwell has always been a Conservative, and only left the party in 2010 because they wouldn't give him the nomination, or b) Mark Ashwell still does not agree with the Conservatives, but is prepared to say he does in order to have a shot at an election. Neither paints him in a particularly good light.