The Westminster lensMP · Independent · Sitting since 4 Jul 2024

James McMurdock.

Independent MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock.

Commons votes
227/526
43% attendance · top 92% of MPs
Party alignment
0%
on whipped divisions
Speeches
59
across 37 debates · 8,265 words
Written Qs
3,637
3,423 answered · 214 pending
Dispatch
3 Jun 2026

Independent MP in Reform UK-controlled territory.

James McMurdock is the Independent MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.

§ 01Voting record.227 divisions · most recent 23 Mar 2026

By issue — what do they vote on most?

Top eight by total divisions voted, this parliament. Volume measures engagement, not direction — see Notable Votes for free-vote moments and rebellions.

Taxation67
Economy43
Employment26
Crime & Policing25
Education23
Housing20
Renters13
Energy12

Source · The Public Whip · Hansard

Notable votes — free votes & rebellions.

Moments where the whip was free, or where McMurdock broke ranks. Free votes are the truer signal of personal stance.

DateBill / motionVoteWhip
20 Oct 2025Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill Committee: Amendment 9Yes
vs party
28 Apr 2025Football Governance Bills [Lords]: Second ReadingNo
vs party
28 Apr 2025Football Governance Bills [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second ReadingYes
vs party
§ 02Speeches.59 contributions · 37 debates · 8,265 words

Words spoken, by topic.

Economy & Jobs4,498
Environment2,427
Local Government2,290
Fiscal Policy1,505
Technology1,417
Transport1,176
Crime1,171
Ind avg / MP All-MP avgper topic, words per MP

Source · Hansard

Recent contributions.

26 Jan

Animal Rescue Centres

Cautious about expanding licensing regimes; argues existing Animal Welfare Act powers are underused and warns that heavy-handed regulation could harm the sector; calls for better e

575 words·Read
12 Jan

Local Elections: Basildon and Thurrock

Accepts the locally-led approach but seeks stronger checks and balances to ensure postponement criteria meet constituent expectations rather than being justified on weak grounds.

91 words·Read
24 Nov

Homelessness Guidance

The homelessness code of guidance has loopholes that allow local councils to improperly reclassify bed and breakfast units as self-contained accommodation, placing vulnerable peopl

139 words·Read
17 Nov

Channel Crossings

The NAO projects £15.3 billion on asylum accommodation over 10 years for people who may commit crimes; the public questions why money is spent on those who pose no benefit to Brita

96 words·Read
Showing 4 of 59·All 59 speeches
§ 03Committees & roles.Select & joint committees
None recorded

McMurdock holds no select-committee seat this session. New 2024-intake MPs typically wait one term before being appointed.

§ 04Written questions.3,637 tabled · 3,423 answered · 14 Oct 2024 → 2 Jun 2026

Top departments asked.

DepartmentQsShare
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government53414.7%
Department of Health and Social Care47313.0%
Home Office40111.0%
Department for Education36410.0%
Department for Transport2266.2%
Treasury2135.9%
Department for Work and Pensions1995.5%
Ministry of Justice1804.9%

Most recent.

2 Jun 2026·Treasury·Pending

With reference to HM Treasury’s press release entitled Fairer taxes for high value homes, published on 20 May 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms on pensioners living in high value properties with low disposable incomes.

Awaiting answer.

2 Jun 2026·Treasury·Pending

With reference to HM Treasury’s press release entitled Chancellor commits to new anti-profiteering powers and fights back on rising bills, published on 20 May 2026, whether she plans to introduce financial penalties for firms found to have engaged in profiteering practices.

Awaiting answer.

2 Jun 2026·Treasury·Pending

With reference to HM Treasury’s press release entitled Fairer taxes for high value homes, published on 20 May 2026, what estimate she has made of the number of households in (a) Basildon, (b) Thurrock, and (c) Essex expected to pay higher taxes as a result of the proposed reforms.

Awaiting answer.

2 Jun 2026·Treasury·Pending

With reference to HM Treasury’s press release entitled Chancellor commits to new anti-profiteering powers and fights back on rising bills, published on 20 May 2026, what the timetable is for legislation and implementation of the proposed anti-profiteering powers.

Awaiting answer.

Showing 4 of 3637·All 3,637 written questions
§ 05Register & expenses.1 declared interests · £172k claimed FY 24_25

Register of interests.

Directorship of Gym Live Health and Fitness Limited. This is a dormant company a
Directorship of Gym Live Health and Fitness Limited. This is a dormant company awaiting strike off. Date interest arose: 4 July 2024 (Regi…

Source · Members API · Last amended 2 Sept 2025

IPSA expenses.

Category£Share
Staffing158,96092.6%
Accommodation6,5553.8%
Office Costs3,0591.8%
MP Travel1,5640.9%
Staff Travel1,5320.9%
Total · 51 claims171,670100%
Showing 5 of 51·All 51 IPSA claims

Source · IPSA · FY 24_25

§ 06This week in Westminster.Order paper · refreshed daily

Nothing tabled for McMurdock on the published Order Paper this week.

§ 07Electoral history.1 contest · 2024, 2024
YearConstituencyVotesShareResult
2024South Basildon and East Thurrock12,17830.8%Won

2024 — full result, South Basildon and East Thurrock.

CandidateVotes%
James McMurdockWONRef12,17830.8

Showing the MP’s own row only. Full result table: see South Basildon and East Thurrock

Sources, methods & last update
Method The dispatch paragraphs are AI-generated from the public sources listed below. Every figure links to its source. If we’re wrong, please tell us — corrections within 48 hours.
DivisionsHansard
The Public Whip
Updated 3 Jun 2026
SpeechesHansard · 8,265 words
8 Sept 2024 → 2 Mar 2026
Written QsMembers API
3,637 tabled · 3,423 answered
CommitteesCommittees API
None recorded
RegisterMembers API
1 entries
ExpensesIPSA
£171,670 · FY 24_25
Order paperUK Parliament
Refreshed daily
ElectionsElectoral Commission
DCLEAPIL