On 7 May 2015 James was elected MP with a majority of 2,834. He is the first Conservative MP for Kingston & Surbiton, a seat created in 1997 and held by the Liberal Democrats since then.As an MP he now sits on the Home Affairs Select Committee and is also Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils.The son of a primary school special needs teacher and a College Principal, James is passionate about improving social aspiration through education, something he highlighted in his maiden speech.