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James McMurdock
James McMurdock (born c. June 1986)[1][2] is a British Reform UK politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Basildon and East Thurrock since 2024.[3] Early life, family and educationMcMurdock grew up in Basildon, Essex, in a council house in Vange and went to a state school.[4] He was the first person from his family to go to university, graduating from the University of Sussex with a Bachelor of Arts in economics.[5][6] During his time at the university, he was elected treasurer of the varsity rugby club and also co-founded the finance society there.[5] He worked in the banking sector from 2007 until winning his seat in 2024. McMurdock spent the majority of his career working for Standard Chartered Bank and Barclays Capital. However, he also benefited from experience early in his career at Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers – McMurdock specialised in corporate loans, primarily supporting clients in the energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors.[5] Political careerReform UK campaign (2024)McMurdock joined Reform UK in May 2024, having become disillusioned with the main political parties, later stating to The Daily Telegraph that he "didn't like the choices in front of me as a voter".[4] After paying £25 to join the party, McMurdock received an email stating that the party needed candidates for the 2024 general election. He agreed to be a paper candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock and paid another £25 for vetting.[7] During the campaign, he acted as his own election agent, and spent £400 on 20,000 fliers. McMurdock did not know that political fliers require mentioning the sponsor, so he and his wife spent many evenings manually stamping each leaflet to add that Reform UK was sponsoring his candidacy. The candidate received £95 in contributions, and mostly communicated to voters on TikTok, where he gained 10,000 followers.[4][7] McMurdock was elected Member of Parliament in the 2024 general election with a majority of 98 votes (0.25%), beating the incumbent MP, and Jack Ferguson of the Labour Party. Due to the tight margin, the Labour candidate demanded 2 separate recounts. McMurdock won all 3 counts with winning margins of 127, 80, and finally 98. After the third count Labour who were in second place conceded the race.[3] His parents and two sisters acted as his count agent.[4] McMurdock gained the seat from Conservative Party incumbent Stephen Metcalfe, who had served as MP for the constituency for the preceding 14 years.[8] He acknowledged he initially thought that his chance of winning was slim, but that due to being on paternity leave when the election was called, he was able to devote himself to campaigning.[7][9][10] One party insider reportedly said that McMurdock's victory was the first time he had heard of the candidate; those within the Reform campaign stated that 95% of its candidates received no help from the party, which did not expect them to win.[7] McMurdock became one of two Reform UK MPs in Essex, along with leader Nigel Farage, and one of five Reform UK MPs elected in the 2024 general election.[9] His majority was the seventh smallest in the entire general election, and due to the recounts, was the last to be called in England.[4][11] Parliament (2024–present) McMurdock was sworn in by oath to Parliament on 10 July 2024.[12][13] McMurdock voted against the Assisted Dying Bill citing serious legislative concerns. He sympathised for those enduring suffering but was worried about unintended consequences if the bill were to pass.[14] In January 2025, McMurdock voted along with other Reform UK MPs for a new national inquiry into rape gangs. Reform UK was the only party to vote in unison. The amendment was defeated by 364 votes to 111.[15][16][17][18] Personal lifeMcMurdock is married with four children.[4] Political positionsMcMurdock identifies as a conservative.[4] 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."[19] Assault convictionIn 2006, McMurdock, who was aged 19, was convicted of assault on his ex-girlfriend.[20] McMurdock was working as a barman at the time of the assault, which happened outside a nightclub in Chelmsford.[1] He pleaded guilty to one count of assault at Chelmsford Crown Court and spent 21 days in a young offenders institution.[20][21] He received a custodial sentence for "kicking" the victim "around four times".[22] McMurdock did not disclose his conviction before he was elected in 2024 and has been accused of 'misleading' the public by political opponents.[23] After the scandal became known a week after the election, McMurdock said that it was the "biggest regret" of his life and that he was "deeply sorry" and that he handed himself into the police "immediately", however The Times reported that he pleaded guilty late in the legal process and indicated a "lack of willingness to comply".[24] McMurdock also said that he "faced the consequences then" and paid for his actions "in full".[2] McMurdock however said he had only 'pushed' the victim and a Reform UK spokesperson said the party was aware of his former conviction and that "...the MP absolutely rejects allegations that he either kicked, stamped or punched the victim, though he accepts that he pushed her, she fell and was injured". This was only disputed upon a request by The Times to the courts for information, revealing he had kicked her repeatedly.[23][22][25] The victim's mother said he "left marks on her body" and "it took two security guards to pull him off her"[23] and that there was "no way he should be an MP".[26] Some political opponents have asked for his expulsion.[27] Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty referred to McMurdock as a "criminal in our midst" and said "The Reform Party appeared to have knowingly stood a candidate with a conviction for attacking a woman, a party that doesn't believe that violence against women and girls should be taken seriously if the perpetrator is one of their own."[28] A Reform UK spokesman said:
In an interview with Sky News in January 2025, McMurdock apologised for the incident and said he was "doing his best to manage the fact that something really regrettable did happen." Reform UK Party Leader Nigel Farage has previously said he "wasn't vetted" but has not confirmed if McMurdock would pass their new vetting procedures.[30] References
External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to James McMurdock. |
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