Julie James

Julie James MS is a Welsh Labour politician, who has been the Member of the Senedd for Swansea West since 2011.[1] [2][3]

Julie James

Minister for Housing and Local Government
Assumed office
13 December 2018
First MinisterMark Drakeford
Preceded byAlun Davies
Leader of the House
Chief Government Whip
In office
3 November 2017  13 December 2018
First MinisterCarwyn Jones
Preceded byJane Hutt
Succeeded byJane Hutt &
Rebecca Evans
Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology
In office
11 September 2014  3 November 2017
First MinisterCarwyn Jones
Preceded byKen Skates
Succeeded byLee Waters
Member of the Senedd
for Swansea West
Assumed office
6 May 2011
Preceded byAndrew Davies
Majority5,080 (22.9%)
Personal details
Born (1958-02-25) 25 February 1958
Swansea, Wales
NationalityWelsh
Political partyLabour
Spouse(s)David
Children3
Alma materUniversity of Sussex
Polytechnic of Central London
Inns of Court
ProfessionBarrister, Civil Servant, Politician
WebsiteCampaign Website

Early life

Although born in Swansea she spent most of her younger years living in various places around the world with her family. At the age of 16 she joined the Labour Party and was the first of her family to study at university.[4][5]

Professional career

James first studied American Studies & History at University of Sussex, graduating in 1980. She then studied Law at the Polytechnic of Central London, graduating in 1982, then went on to the Inns of Court School of Law in London to train as a barrister, passing the bar in 1983.

Her career started working as a policy lawyer with the London Borough of Camden. She then moved back to Swansea to raise their three children and start work for West Glamorgan County Council as the Assistant County Secretary (Legal Services).

James later worked for the City and County of Swansea Council, where her final post was Assistant Chief Executive (Governance). She left in protest of the signing of a contract by the Liberal Democrats which she thought to have wasted ‘millions of pounds’. She went on to join a law practice Clarkslegal LLP specialising in Environmental and Constitutional law.[4][6]

Political career

On 5 May 2011, James was elected as Assembly Member representing Swansea West.[1]

Since then she has sat on several committees, including 'Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee', 'Enterprise and Business Committee' and 'Environment and Sustainability Committee'. She has chaired the procurement and common fisheries task and finish groups[7]

On 11 September 2014[8] she was appointed Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology during a reshuffle by Carwyn Jones replacing Ken Skates who was appointed Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism.[9]

On 5 May 2016 James was re-elected as the Assembly Member for Swansea West by a higher majority than her previous term[3] and was tipped at the time to be a likely candidate for a cabinet position.[10]

On 3 November 2017 she was promoted to the Cabinet as Leader of the House & Chief Whip.[11]

On 13 December following the election of Mark Drakeford to the position of leader of Welsh Labour and therefore First Minister, Julie was appointed Minister for Housing and Local Government.[12]

References

  1. "Wales elections > Swansea West". BBC News. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  2. "Julie James | The Welsh Labour Party". Welshlabour.org.uk. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  3. "Swansea West - Welsh Assembly constituency - Elections 2016". BBC News. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  4. "About Julie James AM - Assembly Member Website". juliejamesam.co.uk. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  5. "All About Julie - Campaign Website". swanseawest.wales. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  6. "Facebook Campaign Page". Facebook.com. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  7. "Julie James, Swansea West - Welsh Labour". Welshlabour.wales. Archived from the original on 18 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  8. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-29156951
  9. "New Cabinet announced by First Minister - Welsh Government". gov.wales. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  10. "Which politicians are in the frame for promotion to Carwyn Jones' new Cabinet". Wales Online. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  11. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-wales-41862076
  12. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-46545625

Offices held

Senedd Cymru
Preceded by
Andrew Davies
Member of the Senedd for Swansea West
2011–present
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Ken Skates
Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology
2014 – 2017
Succeeded by
Lee Waters
Preceded by
(post reorganised)
Minister for Housing and Local Government
13 December 2018 - Present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
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