James’ Biography
Born in 1962 James’ family moved from Islington to the ‘country’, Chester Road, Walthamstow, in 1967. He is the eldest of three and has a brother, who has severe learning disabilities and lives and uses services locally, and a sister.
James attended school at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School in Longfield Avenue, Corpus Christi Junior High in Leyton and Cardinal Wiseman Senior High (now The Holy Family Technology College), Shernhall Street.
James’ working career began in the Stock Exchange as a ‘Blue button’ and for twelve years he worked in the social care sector ending as a residential manager and field social worker. After working in the public sector James worked in a mixture of the private and voluntary sector in jobs such a recruitment consultant, researcher for an MP and campaign officer for a national charity. In 2002 James returned to local government, with Waltham Forest council, and for three and a half years was the co-ordinator of a voluntary scheme called Street Watchers.
James was introduced to politics in the early 1990’s when his brother was experiencing some difficulties. He approached the three social services spokespeople from each political party and only the Liberal Democrat (Cllr Bob Sullivan - Leyton ward) went out of his way not to make the issue political. In 1994 James stood for election in the former Hale End ward (now Hale End & Highams Park) narrowly missing out on giving the Conservatives a bloody nose. Twelve years later James is proud to serve alongside the three Liberal Democrats who won Hale End & Highams Park ward in the local 2006 elections.
In May 2006 James won one of the three seats in High Street Ward - the ward he grew up in. Since his election James has chaired the Children & Young Persons Overview and Scrutiny Committee and has had a number of successes including a partnership between the Council and Waltham Forest Guardian called Youth Flash where young people write articles to provoke debate and provide evidence/information for the committee.
James says “Becoming a councillor has been a steep learning curve but an enjoyable one. What makes it worthwhile is when residents say thank you for what may, in my opinion, be a small matter but for the resident is a major issue. I hope to live up to my family motto by continuing to serve the residents of High Street ward and Waltham Forest for the foreseeable future”.
