James McMurdock (born c. June 1986)[1][2] is a British Reform UK politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Basildon and East Thurrock since 2024.

However, he also benefited from experience early in his career at Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers – McMurdock specialised in corporate loans, primarily supporting clients in the energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors.

[5] McMurdock joined Reform UK in May 2024, having become disillusioned with the main political parties, later stating to The Daily Telegraph that he "didn't like the choices in front of me as a voter".

[4][7] McMurdock was elected with a majority of 98 votes (0.25%), beating the incumbent MP, and Jack Ferguson of the Labour Party.

[4] McMurdock gained the seat from Conservative Party incumbent Stephen Metcalfe, who had served as MP for the constituency for the preceding 14 years.

[8] He acknowledged he initially thought that his chance of winning was slim, but that due to being on paternity leave when the election was called, he was able to devote himself to campaigning.

[1] He pleaded guilty to one count of assault at Chelmsford Crown Court and spent 21 days in a young offenders institution.

[23] After the scandal became known a week after the election, McMurdock said that it was the "biggest regret" of his life and that he was "deeply sorry" and that he handed himself into the police "immediately", however The Times reported that he pleaded guilty late in the legal process and indicated a "lack of willingness to comply".

We hope that other young men who make bad mistakes in early life can learn from James that their lives can turn around.

"[29]In an interview with Sky News in January 2025, McMurdock apologised for the incident and said he was "doing his best to manage the fact that something really regrettable did happen."