15 Facts About Julie James

Julie James was born on February 1958 and is a Welsh Labour politician, serving as Minister for Climate Change since 2021.

Julie James served as Minister for Housing and Local Government from 2018 to 2021.

Julie James was born in Swansea, and was raised in various places around the world with her family.

Julie James's parents had married young, and they did not have more children until she was 8.

Julie James 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.

Julie James's career started working as a policy lawyer with the London Borough of Camden.

Julie James then moved back to Swansea to raise her three children and start work for West Glamorgan County Council as the Assistant County Secretary.

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

Julie James left of her own accord at the signing of a contract by the Liberal Democrats which she 'thought' to have wasted "millions of pounds".

Julie James went on to join the law practice Clarkslegal LLP, specialising in environmental and constitutional law.

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

Julie James sat on several committees, including the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, Enterprise and Business Committee and Environment and Sustainability Committee.

Julie James has chaired the procurement and common fisheries task and finish groups.

On 5 May 2016, Julie 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 13 December 2018, following the election of Mark Drakeford to the position of leader of Welsh Labour and therefore First Minister, Julie James was appointed Minister for Housing and Local Government.