James MacCleary

James MacCleary
MacCleary in October 2024
Member of Parliament
for Lewes
Assumed office
4 July 2024
Preceded byMaria Caulfield
Majority12,624 (23.8%)
Liberal Democrat portfolios
2024–presentEurope
Personal details
Born
James Neville MacCleary
Political partyLiberal 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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ "No. 64465". The London Gazette. 22 July 2024. p. 14085.
  2. ^ "Britain's Pro-European Grassroots Campaigns". EMI. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  3. ^ a b c "James MacCleary – Liberal Democrat". Vic Ient. 3 June 2024. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  4. ^ "James MacCleary". Liberal Democrats. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Councillor James MacCleary". Lewes and Eastbourne Councils. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "Agenda and minutes: Lewes District Council Full Council – Thursday, 15th July, 2021 6.00 pm". Lewes and Eastbourne Councils. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Agenda and minutes: Lewes District Council Full Council – Monday, 18th July, 2022 6.00 pm". Lewes and Eastbourne Councils. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ Oxburgh, Huw (21 July 2020). "Lewes councillors elect new leader". Sussex World. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  11. ^ Elliott, Frankie (19 July 2022). "Lewes District Council appoints James MacCleary as new leader". Sussex World. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Councillor James MacCleary". East Sussex County Council. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  13. ^ Syed, Yasmin; Donnelly, Luke (7 May 2021). "The East Sussex council election 2021 winners in full". SussexLive. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  14. ^ Fuller, Christian (5 July 2024). "Five takeaways from Sussex's general election results". BBC News. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Lewes | General Election 2024". Sky News. Archived from the original on 2024-07-05. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
[edit]
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Lewes

2024–present
Incumbent