James McMurdock
James McMurdock | |
|---|---|
 McMurdock in 2024 | |
| Member of Parliament for South Basildon and East Thurrock | |
| Assumed office 5 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Stephen Metcalfe |
| Majority | 98 (0.25%) |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Reform UK |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University of Sussex (BA) |
| Occupation |
|
James McMurdock is a British politician who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for South Basildon and East Thurrock for Reform UK since 2024.
Early life and education[edit]
McMurdock grew up in Basildon, Essex in a council house in Vange and Pitsea and went to a state school.[1] He graduated from the University of Sussex with a Bachelor of Arts in economics.[2][3] He worked in the banking sector for Barclays Capital, Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers – specialising in energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing.[2]
Political career[edit]
Reform UK campaign (2024)[edit]
McMurdock joined Reform UK, having become disillusioned with the main political parties, later stating to the Telegraph that he "didn't like the choices in front" of him as a voter.[1] After paying to join the party, he received an email stating that the party was short of candidates for the 2024 general election, and so McMurdock chose to be a "paper candidate" in the election.[1] During the campaign, he acted as his own agent, and spent £400 on 20,000 fliers.[1]
McMurdock was elected the Member of Parliament for South Basildon and East Thurrock in the 2024 general election with a majority of 98 votes (0.25%), beating Jack Ferguson of the Labour Party after the third recount.[4] His parents and two sisters acted as his count agent.[1] His election as an MP was reported as a surprise,[5][6][7] as he had gained the seat from Conservative Party incumbent Stephen Metcalfe, who had served as MP for the constituency for the last 14 years.[8] He became the second Reform UK MP in Essex, after leader Nigel Farage, and the fifth Reform UK MP elected in the 2024 general election.[6] His majority was the seventh smallest in the entire general election.[1] After being declared as the new MP, McMurdock said "it's an absolute privilege and the gravity of responsibility is not lost on me."[9]
Parliament (2024–present)[edit]
McMurdock was sworn in by oath to Parliament on 10 July 2024.[10][11]
Personal life[edit]
McMurdock is married with 4 children.[1]
Political positions[edit]
McMurdock identifies as a conservative.[1] He has described himself a "small state" and" low tax" person, and stated that he wants "government out of people's lives", and also for "decisions and spending to be accountable to taxpayers."[12]
Education[edit]
Whilst speaking about how during his election campaign he listened to parents of children with special needs who had been struggling to get support, McMurdock stated that children of "all different abilities" should be able to get an "education that works much better for them."[13]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h Bird, Steve (2024-07-06). "James McMurdock – the new Reform MP who only joined the party in May". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
- ^ a b "South Basildon and East Thurrock Constituency - James McMurdock Reform UK". Reform UK. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ "Who is James McMurdock? Meet the fifth Reform UK MP". The Echo. Basildon. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ "South Basildon and East Thurrock - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ "Who is James McMurdock? Meet Reform's new South Basildon and East Thurrock MP". Yahoo News. 2024-07-06. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
- ^ a b "Reform wins fifth seat in South Basildon and East Thurrock". BBC News. 2024-07-05. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ "Reform UK's five MPs arrive for first day in Westminster". www.shropshirestar.com. 2024-07-09. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
- ^ "Basildon South & E Thurrock | General Election 2024 | Sky News". Sky News. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ "Reform UK win fifth seat after recount gives them majority of just NINETY EIGHT votes". GB News. 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Members Sworn". Hansard. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ McMurdock, James [@JamesReform] (10 July 2024). "South Basildon and East Thurrock, it's official, I belong to you. So help me God" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 July 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Meet James McMurdock, the fifth Reform MP that nobody expected". The Independent. 2024-07-06. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
- ^ "Nigel Farage's Reform UK will address Essex SEND provision". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2024-07-10.