James MacCleary
James MacCleary | |
---|---|
Member of Parliament for Lewes | |
Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
Preceded by | Maria Caulfield |
Majority | 12,624 (23.8%) |
Liberal Democrat portfolios | |
2024–present | Europe |
Personal details | |
Born | James Neville MacCleary |
Political party | Liberal Democrats |
Alma mater |
|
James Neville MacCleary[1] is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Lewes since 2024. He defeated the Conservative incumbent, Maria Caulfield, with a majority of almost 13,000. MacCleary has served as a member of East Sussex County Council since 2021, and Lewes District Council from 2007 to 2015 and since 2019.
Early life and career
[edit]MacCleary graduated from the University of Kent with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in politics and international relations, and the University of Oxford with a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Russian and East European studies.
He has worked as a director and manager for charities and campaigning organisations, including as Campaign Director for the European Movement UK.[2] He ran a business providing advice and training in communications and data protection.[3][4]
Political career
[edit]MacCleary was a member of Lewes District Council for the ward of Bridge from 2007 to 2015, and has represented the ward of Newhaven South since 2019.[3][5] He is the Liberal Democrat group leader and served as leader of the council from 20 July 2020 to 15 July 2021,[6][7] and subsequently from 18 July 2022 to 22 May 2023.[8][9] He alternated the role annually with Zoe Nicholson of the Green Party under the Co-operative Alliance.[10][11]
In the 2021 council election, MacCleary was elected to East Sussex County Council for the division of Newhaven and Bishopstone.[12][13] He was previously a member of Lewes Town Council from 2011 to 2015 and Newhaven Town Council from 2019 to 2023.[3]
MacCleary stood in the constituency of Lewes at the 2024 general election. He defeated Maria Caulfield, the incumbent Conservative MP and a government minister, with a majority of 12,624 votes. Lewes was formerly represented for the Liberal Democrats by Norman Baker from 1997 to 2015.[14][15]
References
[edit]- ^ "No. 64465". The London Gazette. 22 July 2024. p. 14085.
- ^ "Britain's Pro-European Grassroots Campaigns". EMI. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
- ^ a b c "James MacCleary – Liberal Democrat". Vic Ient. 3 June 2024. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ "James MacCleary". Liberal Democrats. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Councillor James MacCleary". Lewes and Eastbourne Councils. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ "Agenda and minutes: Annual Council meeting, Lewes District Council Full Council – Monday, 20th July, 2020 6.00 pm". Lewes and Eastbourne Councils. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Agenda and minutes: Lewes District Council Full Council – Thursday, 15th July, 2021 6.00 pm". Lewes and Eastbourne Councils. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Agenda and minutes: Lewes District Council Full Council – Monday, 18th July, 2022 6.00 pm". Lewes and Eastbourne Councils. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Agenda and minutes: Annual and Full Council, Lewes District Council Full Council – Monday, 22nd May, 2023 6.00 pm". Lewes and Eastbourne Councils. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Oxburgh, Huw (21 July 2020). "Lewes councillors elect new leader". Sussex World. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Elliott, Frankie (19 July 2022). "Lewes District Council appoints James MacCleary as new leader". Sussex World. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Councillor James MacCleary". East Sussex County Council. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ Syed, Yasmin; Donnelly, Luke (7 May 2021). "The East Sussex council election 2021 winners in full". SussexLive. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Fuller, Christian (5 July 2024). "Five takeaways from Sussex's general election results". BBC News. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Lewes | General Election 2024". Sky News. Archived from the original on 2024-07-05. Retrieved 2024-07-05.