James Ashley (21 May 1940 – 12 August 2006) was a Liberal Democrat politician in the city of Manchester, England.
Ashley was appointed to the Manchester City bench in 1971 and served as a magistrate for 34 years.
[1] He made political history in 1987, becoming the first Liberal Democrat councillor to win a seat from Labour on the city council.
Councillor Ashley was instrumental in the creation of the Gorton Heritage Trail along the Gore Bank Valley conservation area.
His voluntary work included Victim Support, Gorton Community Forum, Blackley Civic Society, Charlestown Tenants and Residents Association, and the Management Committee of Sacred Heart Community Hall.