Ashton has been involved in local politics since 1972, and worked as the research assistant to Scarborough mayor Gus Harris.

On Metro Council, he was best known for spearheading Toronto's failed bid for Expo 2000, which was awarded to Hanover, Germany by a narrow margin of one vote.

Running with the unreserved endorsement of the Toronto Star, his campaign ended when NDP and left-liberal councillors moved their support to Joe Pantalone.

Moscoe retained his post but was forced to make an apology to David Shiner who faced a lawsuit as a result of the leak.

Miller argued that the new measures were essential to sustaining the city's budget, without reducing services or raising property taxes.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation and Toronto Board of Trade were opposed on the grounds that it would hurt businesses, with polls showing that 70% of respondents supported cutting expenditures instead of raising taxes.

He became the deciding vote against immediately implementing the measures which passed 23–22, as the motion deferred the debate until after the October 2007 provincial election.

[2] [3] Ashton defended his decision to break with Miller's allies, citing the numerous complaints from his constituents against the new taxes, and saying that he maintained his independence and that he expected to lose his committee seat.