James McMurdock · Independent
East of England, England
: 72,673
Ref took this seat from Con after 4 consecutive elections.
MP News Approval i
+25
James McMurdock
IndependentJames McMurdock is the Independent MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.
Vote on Amendment 9, proposed by Dr Al Pinkerton (Lib Dem), to the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill. The amendment sought to strengthen protections for Chagossians' rights in the treaty, including establishing a legally binding right to return and a binding resettlement programme, on the grounds that the current treaty fails to rectify the historical injustice of their displacement.
MPs voted on a 'reasoned amendment' to the Football Governance Bill at its Second Reading — a procedural motion by the opposition (Conservatives) to block the bill from progressing, arguing it was flawed or unnecessary. The bill, which had already passed through the Lords, aims to establish an independent regulator for English football.
MPs voted on whether to give the Football Governance Bill a Second Reading, advancing legislation that would establish an independent regulator for English football to improve financial sustainability and protect clubs from mismanagement.
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Sign up freeCoverage of South Basildon and East Thurrock has been mixed for James across 40 recent articles.
A marginal seat — won by just 98 votes (0.3%) in 2024. Covers Basildon, Stanford-le-Hope and Chadwell St Mary. Population 98,832.
Chaos as driver crashes into Royal Mail van and 'several vehicles' in Basildon
Essex Echo · 9 Apr 2026
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Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£30,600
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£38,200
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
3,415
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
31
26 primary, 5 secondary
Total Income Tax▼
£307m
from 51,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£3,320
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£6,030
per taxpayer / year
Source: HMRC Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23. Allocated by taxpayer residence. Covers income tax only — excludes NI, VAT, and capital gains. Sample-based estimate (~8% confidence interval).
Attainment 8▼
39.1
average score (DfE)
GCSE Pass Rate▼
54.0%
5+ GCSEs 9-4 (DfE)
1 city, 1 large town, 2 towns, 5 villages, rural areas — 101,803 total population
Source: ONS Built-Up Areas (Census 2021) + data.police.uk — crime rates are per 1,000 population (last 3 months)
Source: data.police.uk — street-level crime data aggregated from LSOA to constituency
7 councillors across 7 wards · Last elections: May 2024
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chadwell St Mary | Labour Party | Ngozi Alike | May 2024 |
| Corringham Fobbing | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | John Robert Fox | May 2024 |
| East Tilbury | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Sue Sammons | May 2024 |
| Orsett | Conservative and Unionist Party | David Day | May 2024 |
| Stanford East Corringham Town | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Roy Robert Jones | May 2024 |
| Stanford Le Hope West | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Ross James Byrne | May 2024 |
| The Homesteads | Labour Party | Clifford John Holloway | May 2024 |
Source: DCLEAPIL v1.0 by Jason Leman, LEAP (Andrew Teale) & Democracy Club. CC BY-SA 4.0. Data last refreshed: 1 Apr 2026.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ref | 12,178 | 30.8% | |
| Lab | 12,080 | 30.5% | |
Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GEWon 2015 GEWon 2010 GE | Con | 10,159 | 25.7% |
| Ind | 1,928 | 4.9% | |
| Green | 1,718 | 4.3% | |
| LD | 1,071 | 2.7% | |
| Ind | 275 | 0.7% | |
| Ind | 140 | 0.3% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GEWon 2015 GEWon 2010 GE | Con | 29,973 | 66.2% |
| Lab | 10,051 | 22.2% | |
| Ind | 3,316 | 7.3% | |
| LD | 1,957 | 4.3% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GEWon 2015 GEWon 2010 GE | Con | 26,811 | 56.9% |
| Lab | 15,321 | 32.5% | |
| Ind | 3,193 | 6.8% | |
| LD | 732 | 1.6% | |
| Green | 680 | 1.4% | |
| Ind | 383 | 0.8% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GEWon 2010 GE | Con | 19,788 | 43.4% |
| Ind | 12,097 | 26.5% | |
| Lab | 11,493 | 25.2% | |
| LD | 1,356 | 3.0% | |
| Ind | 401 | 0.9% | |
| Ind | 253 | 0.6% | |
| Ind | 205 | 0.5% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GEWon 2015 GE | Con | 19,624 | 43.9% |
| Lab | 13,852 | 31.0% | |
| LD | 5,977 | 13.4% | |
| Ind | 2,639 | 5.9% | |
| Ind | 2,518 | 5.6% | |
| Ind | 125 | 0.3% |
James McMurdock has not appeared in national political news coverage tracked by our system. This is common for backbench MPs who focus on constituency-level work rather than national policy debates.
5 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
A silver BMW crashed into a Royal Mail van and several parked vehicles on Hockley Road in Basildon before the driver fled the scene. Essex Police are investigating the incident, which caused shock among residents who typically regard the area as safe.
Five new businesses have opened at Basildon Market in recent weeks, including The Darts Hub, Essex Coffee Co, Shien Lux, Laceys Boutique, and Essex Sweet Tooth, offering shoppers expanded retail and food options. The new arrivals enhance the market's existing reputation as a diverse trading hub with clothing, food, and service offerings.
Nicholas Long, 52, from Purfleet in South Essex, was jailed for two years at Basildon Crown Court for attempting to communicate sexually with children and distribute sexual imagery to minors. He received a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order with strict restrictions on internet access and device usage.
Thurrock Council's planning committee is set to decide on approval for the borough's first crematorium on land in Orsett. The facility would serve over 120,000 residents within a 30-minute drive and currently has strong public support (23 of 26 comments in favour), with planning officers recommending approval.
A teenage boy and 36-year-old man were arrested after a person was chased with a large knife during a disturbance on a Basildon estate on April 8. Both suspects were released on bail pending court dates in mid-June, and police are appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage.
Essex Police have launched a public appeal to find Brian Hattley, a 40-year-old man reported missing from Basildon on April 8. The appeal includes physical description details and information about a grey Ford transit van he may be driving.
Bloor Homes has submitted a planning application validated by Basildon Council for a 1,100-home 'mini-village' development on Dunton Road, featuring 50% affordable housing, a new primary school, nursery, community centre, and extensive green spaces. The scheme is designed as a sustainable extension of Basildon with new transport links, cycling routes, and community facilities.
A break-in at Our Lady and All Saints Church in Basildon has caused approximately £2,000 in damage, including fire doors ripped off hinges and smashed computer equipment. This is the fourth incident at the church in four weeks, part of a broader pattern of vandalism and break-ins affecting churches in the Basildon area.
A Basildon woman's late husband's wedding ring went missing during his stay at Basildon Hospital in February, which she believes was stolen. The Mid and South Essex NHS Trust has apologized and stated thefts are rare, while the family is left heartbroken over the loss of the sentimental item.
A violent incident occurred on Hereford Walk in Basildon involving a man chasing another person while wielding a large knife on April 7. Two people were arrested—a 16-year-old and a 36-year-old—with both released on bail pending investigation.
Little Burstead, a village between Billericay and Basildon, has the highest council tax bills in Essex at £2,405 annually for a Band D home—£400 more than the cheapest area. The article explores regional variations in council tax precepts and broader increases across Essex, with residents paying up to £300 more per year compared to 2022.
Gavin Callaghan, leader of Basildon Borough Council, apologised for sharing an antisemitic video on social media that he claimed was created using AI. The video, set to Michael Jackson's 'They Don't Care About Us', contained offensive lyrics and antisemitic slurs overlaid on images of Conservative councillors, prompting calls from the Conservative MP and other figures for his removal from the Labour party.
A planning application has been submitted to Basildon Council for a 28-home all-electric modular housing development on land near Cranes Lane, featuring modern construction methods, energy-efficient design, and sustainable features like air source heat pumps and EV charging points.
Basildon Council has written off £212,355.65 in debt from four businesses that have gone into liquidation, bankruptcy, or High Court restructuring. The council states the loss will not strain its revenue budget due to existing provisions for bad debts, following a similar £500,000+ write-off in November.
Essex Police are appealing for information about Tafadzwa Mupezeni, a 35-year-old man reported missing from Basildon on Tuesday morning. His family says it is out of character and they are concerned for his safety after last hearing from him the previous afternoon.
A motorcyclist was hospitalised following a collision on the A13 near Lakeside on April 6, causing significant traffic disruption. The incident involved emergency services and the air ambulance, with the victim treated at Basildon University Hospital.
Basildon Sports Village's Main Pool closed temporarily due to sickness on April 6-7, 2026, causing cancellation of some swimming lessons. The facility was expected to reopen on April 8, with some lessons relocated to the Teaching Pool.
The article covers May 2026 local council elections across the ITV Anglia region, including Essex councils. Significantly, Basildon Council (part of South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency) will be merged with Thurrock to create a new South West Essex Council in 2027, meaning elected councillors will serve only until 2028.
A Basildon church has suffered repeated break-ins and vandalism, with the latest theft of £1,000 worth of tools leaving the pastor in distress. The church, located on Vowler Road in Laindon, has experienced targeted attacks including a suspected arson and racist graffiti since taking over the building last year.
Basildon Council has approved £9,000 funding to continue its popular free Crunch bulky waste collection service, with six more community drop-off events planned for 2026/27. The scheme has collected over 400 tonnes of waste since launching, with a 52% recycling rate, demonstrating strong community engagement and environmental benefit.
Plans have been submitted to Basildon Council to demolish the vandalism-damaged former Pitsea Police Station and replace it with seven new energy-efficient homes plus a bungalow. The building, empty since 2019, suffered severe arson, theft, and break-ins, making conversion unviable; developers now propose complete demolition and new-build instead.
A community group has donated a specialist privacy pram to Basildon Hospital's maternity bereavement team, supporting families experiencing baby loss. The donation highlights local charitable efforts to improve dignity and care for bereaved families at the hospital.
Firefighters rescued a person trapped in a vehicle following a four-vehicle collision on Stanford Road in Stanford-le-Hope, south Essex. The rescue was completed within 30 minutes.
Basildon Council leader Gavin Callaghan shared an AI-generated video containing antisemitic lyrics without checking its content, prompting Essex Police to assess a report and calls for his resignation from Conservative and Reform councillors. Callaghan has apologised and deleted the post, claiming he was unaware of the offensive lyrics.
Seventy-three thefts were reported across Essex hospitals in 2025, with 49 incidents at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust hospitals including Basildon. Items stolen included money, electronics, and medical equipment from staff, patients, and relatives across wards including burns, emergency, and children's areas.
Lidl has identified 11 locations across Essex, including Basildon, where it plans to build new stores as part of a UK expansion programme. The article lists these locations and outlines Lidl's property requirements, alongside similar expansion plans by M&S in the region.
Basildon Council leader Gavin Callaghan has backed plans for a new special needs (SEND) school that would also function as a wellness and community centre. The facility, in early design stages, has been supported by developer Tony Aldridge and partner organisations including Omnia, Feelgood Fitness, and B Mindful, with an open event scheduled for April 23 to gather residents' views.
A 24-year-old Norfolk man has appeared at Basildon Crown Court charged with six counts of rape against a woman in Basildon, spanning April 2022 to June 2023. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released on bail pending trial in April 2027.
Sunbelt Rentals' Basildon depot hosted students from local schools and colleges as part of Build UK's Open Doors 2026 initiative, showcasing careers in the hire and construction equipment industry. The company provided behind-the-scenes tours and demonstrated various career pathways available in the sector.
A vineyard in Billericay (Woodvalley Vineyards Ltd) has applied to Basildon Council for a 24-hour alcohol sales licence for off-site consumption. The application is open for public objections until April 24, giving local residents the opportunity to comment on this licensing decision.
A Post Office in Basildon's Felmores End area faces closure after the Morrisons Daily housing it will shut on May 1st. Local businesses, residents, and Labour councillors have launched a campaign to retain the service, citing its importance for older residents, bill payments, and banking access, with a Post Office consultation deadline of April 23rd.
Cats Protection, a UK cat welfare charity with a branch in Basildon, is highlighting six cats available for adoption across south Essex this Easter. The article profiles individual cats with different personalities and needs to help potential adopters find suitable matches.
The article lists major roadworks affecting Southend and Basildon on Easter Sunday, including lane closures and temporary traffic lights across key routes. This will cause disruption to local drivers and families planning Easter activities.
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