In Sept 2007 James Alexander was selected by York Outer Labour Party as its parliamentary candidate at the next General Election. York Outer is a new seat and the next general election may be the first opportunity many in York Outer have had to have a realistic chance of electing a Labour MP.

If elected, James will be the first MP for York Outer, a parliamentary consituency which covers Bishopthorpe, Derwentt, Dringhouses and Woodthorpe, Fulford, Haxby and Wigginton, Heslington, Heworth Without, Huntington and New Earswick, Osbaldwick, Rural West York, Skelton, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without, Strensall, and Wheldrake. He has lived in York for almost ten years and attended the University of York. James graduated in Economic History.

James is a project and outreach officer at York St John University and works at the Lord Mayor’s Walk site. In addition, he is a City of York Councillor, York’s Children and Young People’s Champion and Chair of the city’s Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee.

Prior to becoming Labour’s parliamentary candidate in York Outer, James has worked as a campaigns manager for the Labour Party, been a civil servant and President of a Union. James is a member of the GMB.

Aged 27, if elected James would also become one of the youngest MPs in the country.

In April 2008, the London Progressive Journal described James as a “rising star in the Labour Party” and in November 2008, James was described by Total Politics Magazine as a “New Young Radical”.

Commenting in Sept 2007 on his selection as Labour’s parliamentary candidate in York Outer, James said:

“I am a hard-worker and I will now continue fighting hard to win the seat and help people’s lives. Labour can defiantly win in York Outer and make a difference. I am the right man for the job.”

In May 2008, Tony Benn said about James:

“James is a guy I trust. I think he is someone you can rely on. He says what he means and means what he says."

As well as keeping up to date with James' activities on his website, you can find out more on his Facebook page here, his YouTube page here, his myspace page here, his bebo page here and his flickr page here.

www.labourcanwinyorkouter.org.uk