Non-militarization of Space
In 1999 James was a delegate at the 3rd United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. As a former NASA researcher he has long been opposed to the militarization of space.
James is concerned by the Unites States military policy to dominate space and the effect this has had on China’s space ambitions. Space should be internationally governed, free from any nation's military and used for global scientific co-operation.
This issue is very relevant to the Yorkshire and the Humber region as we host the Menwith Hill US military base near Harrogate. Menwith Hill is a key site in the proposed National Missile Defence scheme.
The EU is the only body large enough to tackle the US and China over such vital issues and James would campaign for the EU to lobby all nations to secure the peaceful use of space for future generations.