Biography
James was born in Wakefield and educated at Ackworth School near Pontefract. He studied Physics with Space Science & Technology and later Earth Observation Science at the University of Leicester. James worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory where he conducted research into climate change.
In 2000 James established a successful small business specialising in software for public sector organisations and at the end of 2004 he was able to step down as Managing Director of the company to concentrate on his activities for the Liberal Democrats.
James is an active member of the Liberal Democrat European Group (LDEG) and last year went to Brussels with the group. He is the Yorkshire and the Humber representative on LDEG and has long had an active interest in politics at a european and international level. James currently sits on the Local Government International Development Group.
James played a key role in the campaign for Leeds North West, which saw Greg Mulholland elected as MP at the general election in 2005. Following his election Greg stood down as councillor and James fought the by-election for Headingley ward. Despite a determined Labour campaign James won the seat comfortably and when he was re-elected in May 2007 Headingley was the safest Lib Dem seat in Leeds.
James has been committed to the Liberal Democrats in the region over several years. He has held positions at local party and constituency level. James is currently group chair of the Leeds Lib Dem council group and sits on the citywide campaign development group as well as being a member of the regional executive.
When he isn't busy being a councillor for Headingley ward in Leeds James works on music campaigns for artists such as the Arctic Monkeys, Bjork, MUSE and many more as well as dipping in and out of his part time PhD in satellite archaeology at Bradford University.
Locally James is involved with the Leeds Civic Trust and Leeds Philosophical & Literary Society. He is also a member of the Institute of Physics and Marine Conservation Society.