James first entered Parliament in 1987 as MP for Wanstead & Woodford and since 1997 has represented North East Hampshire. He served as Opposition Chief Whip (1997-2001) and as Shadow Secretary of State for Trade (2003-05), before becoming Chairman of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee in 2005.

What does James do? Well, his first priority is representing his constituents and over the course of a typical working week James will write over a hundred letters or emails on their behalf to ministers, local councils and other external agencies raising issues of both local and national concern.

Based in London, Monday through to Thursday, in addition to the usual votes, debates and questions which most MPs attend, James splits his time between constituency-related matters (meetings, lobbying and briefings, for example), and work associated with chairing the Defence Select Committee. The Committee’s main role is to hold the Ministry of Defence to account, and through evidence sessions, visits and correspondence they frequently issue reports on a variety of defence-related matters, analysing current policy and practice. On Friday and over the weekend, James is back in the constituency, visiting, supporting and listening to the views of local people.

James is married to Emma. They have four children and live in Mortimer with several dogs, a couple of Alpaca and an elderly pony. Away from politics, his interests include his family, music, computers, cooking and skiing and his ambition is one day to breed Irish Wolfhounds.