Local elections are coming up — 7 May 2026
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Reform UK candidate for Birstall and Birkenshaw
Philip Anthony James, aged 51, was born in Thorpe Maternity Hospital, Sunderland on 14th September 1968. In 1974 his family moved to Brighouse, West Yorkshire, where he has lived ever since. Philip attended All Saints’ High School in Huddersfield and subsequently The Percival Whitley School of Further Education in Halifax. Philip has worked in the construction industry at both grass roots and executive level. He is currently a registered gas engineer and owns a small business in West Yorkshire. Philip is married with children and lives in Hove Edge, Brighouse. He is a valued member of the local community and a sponsor for the local cricket club in Southowram. He is a keen sportsman and anxious to promote the importance of sport for young people in the midst of the ‘techno age’ As a parent, Philip is also interested in education and the importance of language learning. He has volunteered as an English conversation teacher, at a school in Madrid, on many occasions, in collaboration with a bilingual learning programme set up by one of his Spanish friends. Although Philip is a newcomer to the political scene, he has previously negotiated and completed contracts with some of the UK’s listed PLC construction companies. This wide experience in the business world along with a passionate interest in history and world affairs have led him to enter the political scene. Dewsbury is a 57.15% Leave area and is very winnable.
Dewsbury (2019)
Reform UK· Not elected
Spen Valley
Constituency
Birstall and Birkenshaw
Ward
Philip Anthony James
Candidate
Birstall and Birkenshaw
The responsibility of a councillor is to represent the people within a ward by making decisions on local services and other local issues.
Kirklees