Julie James


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

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.

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.
James later worked for the City and County of Swansea Council, where her final post was Assistant Chief Executive. 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.

Political career

On 5 May 2011, James was elected as Assembly Member representing Swansea West.
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
On 11 September 2014 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.
On 5 May 2016 James was re-elected as the Assembly Member for Swansea West by a higher majority than her previous term and was tipped at the time to be a likely candidate for a cabinet position.
On 3 November 2017 she was promoted to the Cabinet as Leader of the House & Chief Whip.
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.

Offices held