Julie James

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

On 3 November 2017 she was promoted to the Cabinet as Leader of the House & Chief Whip..

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 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 13th 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. .

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

On 5 May 2011, James was elected as Assembly Member representing Swansea West.

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.