Joel James (born 9 March 1985) is a Welsh Conservative politician who has served as a Member of the Senedd (MS) for the region of South Wales Central since the 2021 Senedd election.[1]
Joel James | |
|---|---|
 James in 2021 | |
| Shadow Minister for Social Partnership | |
| Assumed office 27 May 2021 | |
| Leader | Andrew RT Davies |
| Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central | |
| Assumed office 8 May 2021 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 March 1985 Church Village, Wales |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Residence | Llantwit Fardre |
| Alma mater | University of Bristol and Cardiff University |
| Portfolio | Shadow Minister for Social Partnership |
| Website | https://www.joeljames.wales/ |
Background
editJames was born at East Glamorgan General Hospital in Church Village and attended Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School in Beddau.[2]
Following his time at Bryn Celynnog, James studied History at the University of Bristol and completed a postgraduate degree in Welsh History at Cardiff University.[3]
Prior to being elected as a Member of the Senedd in 2021, James worked as a librarian at Cardiff Sixth Form College - one of the highest rated schools in the UK.[4]
Political career
editJames became the first ever Conservative elected to Rhondda Cynon Taf Country Borough Council in 2008.[5]
Prior to his election to the Senedd, James stood for election for the Pontypridd constituency in 2011,[6] 2016[7] and 2021,[8] a seat long held by Welsh Labour. In 2021 he was also placed second on the South Wales Central regional list, behind leader Andrew RT Davies. They were both elected.[8][9] Later that month, he was appointed to the Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Social Partnership [10] a portfolio that covers many issues such as; public services (including community fire safety), the Wales and Africa programme, Coal tip policy and the promotion of sustainable development.
James still represents the ward of Efail Isaf on Llantwit Fardre Community Council,[11][12][13] but left Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, after not contesting the 2022 local elections.[5]
As Member of the Senedd, James also sits on the Equality and Social Justice committee.[14] He previously sat on the petitions committee and the Local Government and Housing Committee.[4] He is also involved in a number of different Cross-Party Groups, and is the Chair of the Liver Disease and Liver Cancer Cross-Party Group in the Senedd.[14]
Political views
editDevolution
editJames supports the abolition of the Senedd.[15][16][17] During his campaign for Senedd in 2021, a document written by James intended for Welsh Conservative members voting in his selection race was leaked to the BBC, which demonstrated these views. James responded to the BBC reporting by saying "As Welsh Conservatives, is it not our duty to say that after 20 years of devolution, it has failed, and that enough is enough?"[15]
In 2024 he was criticised by fellow Conservative MS on Twitter, after supporting party leader Andrew RT Davies on an informal poll on abolishing the Senedd held at the Vale of Glamorgan Show.[17][18]
Assisted suicide
editJames voted against a Senedd motion supporting the principle of medically assisted suicide.[19]
External links
edit- Official website
- Joel James MS on the Senedd website
References
edit- ^ Mosalski, Ruth (8 May 2021). "These are the 19 new Members of the Senedd in Wales". WalesOnline. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "Joel James". The Welsh Conservative Party. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "About Joel James". Joel James. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Joel James MS". Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Local Elections Archive Project — Llantwit Fardre Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "National Assembly for Wales Election Results 2011 | Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council". www.rctcbc.gov.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "Pontypridd - Welsh Assembly constituency - Election 2016 - BBC News". Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Senedd Elections 2021 | Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council". www.rctcbc.gov.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ Mosalski, Ruth (8 May 2021). "The full list of all of Wales' 60 Members of the Senedd". WalesOnline. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "New faces in the Senedd given key roles in Shadow Cabinet". Rhyl Journal. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "Register of interests for Joel James MS". business.senedd.wales. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "Llantwit Fardre Community Council | Council Members". www.llantwitfardrecommunitycouncil.org. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ Mosalski, Ruth (21 June 2021). "Members of the Senedd who are also councillors". WalesOnline. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Joel James MS". senedd.wales. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ a b Williams, James (17 January 2021). "Senedd: Some Tory candidates 'would scrap' Welsh parliament". BBC News. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ Price, Emily (22 October 2024). "Anti-Senedd Tory MS hosting forums to discuss abolition of Welsh Parliament". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ a b Price, Emily (7 August 2024). "Abolish the Senedd stunt exposes shadow cabinet rifts". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ James, Joel (7 August 2024). "😃😃". Twitter. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ Haines, Chris (23 October 2024). "Senedd votes against assisted dying". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
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