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Chairman of the Defence Select Committee of the House of Commons in the UK since 2005.
James has been a Member of Parliament since 1987, occupying a range of eminent posts in Government and Opposition over a distinguished career. His constituency is North East Hampshire which he has represented since 1997.
James has been an MP for 23 years, first entering Parliament in 1987 as MP for Wanstead & Woodford. In 1988 he became Parliamentary Private Secretary to Archie Hamilton MP, Minister for the Armed Forces; he then became a Government Whip (1992-94), followed by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Social Security (1994-95). Previously, James was Minister of State for Defence Procurement (1995-97). When the Conservatives went into opposition he became Opposition Chief Whip (1997–2001) during William Hague’s time as Leader.
After his time as Opposition Chief, Whip James became a member of the Intelligence and Security Committee (2001-05) and served as Shadow Secretary of State for Trade (2003-05). He has been Chairman of the Conservative Friends of Israel since 2005.
Prior to his Parliamentary career, James practised as a barrister.
James was born in 1952 and was educated at Eton, where he was captain of the school, and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he achieved an honours degree in law. A barrister, he was called to the Bar in 1975 and practised until 1992 in trusts, wills, and tax law. He is married to Emma. They have four children and live with several dogs, a couple of Alpaca, and an elderly pony. His interests include music and skiing and his ambition is to breed Irish Wolfhounds.
Past Speaking Events
11 June 2012
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Lunch Meeting
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London
Maintaining defence in an age of austerity and changing threats
The Defence Select Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Ministry of Defence and its associated public bodies. Balancing defence priorities in a time of changing strategic threats, rapidly evolving technologies, and strong concerns about preserving the UK industrial base, is always likely to be difficult. In a period of austerity it is a particular challenge. Come and hear James Arbuthnot discuss the recent work of the committee and key issues such as, defence acquisition, budgetary control, and cyber-security.