Member of Parliament
James MacCleary
Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Defence)
At a glanceJames MacCleary is a Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, and has represented the seat for 2 years. They currently serve as Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Defence). They have cast 351 votes in Commons divisions (61% attendance), tabled 565 written questions and registered 7 financial interests.
Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 575 Commons divisions since the 2024 election; James MacCleary did not vote in 224. A rebellion is a vote against the way most of their own party voted; free votes, where no party line applies, are left out.
Party-loyalty figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Biography
He currently undertakes the role of Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Defence).
Current roles
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Defence) Opposition post · Opposition Department since 1 Oct 2025
- Liberal Democrat Party since 4 Jul 2024
- Lewes Representation · Elected 1 time since 4 Jul 2024
Voting record
Voting alignment
Votes most like
-
Ian Sollom
Liberal Democrat
100.0% · 338 of 338 shared votes
-
Adam Dance
Liberal Democrat
100.0% · 330 of 330 shared votes
-
Andrew George
Liberal Democrat
100.0% · 328 of 328 shared votes
-
Alison Bennett
Liberal Democrat
100.0% · 327 of 327 shared votes
-
Marie Goldman
Liberal Democrat
100.0% · 327 of 327 shared votes
Votes least like
-
Dame Siobhain McDonagh
Labour
10.5% · 21 of 200 shared votes
-
Anneliese Midgley
Labour
12.4% · 34 of 274 shared votes
-
Neil Coyle
Labour
12.5% · 35 of 280 shared votes
-
Mary Creagh
Labour
13.0% · 31 of 238 shared votes
-
Catherine West
Labour
13.6% · 29 of 214 shared votes
Alignment figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Register of financial interests
From the official Register; shown as registered.
Employment and earnings2
- District Councillor - Lewes District Council (registered 1 Aug 2024)
- Councillor - East Sussex County Council (registered 1 Aug 2024)
Employment and earnings - Ongoing paid employment2
- Agreement starting 02 May 2023 - £416.83 (registered 1 Aug 2024)
- Agreement - £719.50 (registered 1 Aug 2024)
Gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources1
- National Liberal Club Ltd - £1,578.50 (registered 13 Oct 2024)
Visits outside the UK1
- International visit to Italy between 24 October 2025 and 26 October 2025 (registered 16 Dec 2025)
Miscellaneous1
- Director of Newhaven Fishing Community Interest Company. This is an unpaid role. (registered 3 Oct 2024)
Written questions
Written question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many helicopters will be operationally available to the UK armed forces to perform the casualty evacuation role between 2027 and 2030.
Awaiting an answer from the Ministry of Defence.
Written question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which helicopter platforms will be available to the armed forces to perform the casualty evacuation role between 2027 and 2030.
Awaiting an answer from the Ministry of Defence.
Nuclear Weapons: Finance
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to benchmark the cost effectiveness of the UK nuclear deterrent programme by comparison with the French.
Awaiting an answer from the Ministry of Defence.
Nuclear Weapons: Finance
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure accountability and value for money from the defence nuclear budget.
Awaiting an answer from the Ministry of Defence.
Nuclear Weapons: Procurement
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by what percentage the forecast 10 year programme cost of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise has increased since the Equipment plan 2023-2033: update on affordability.
Awaiting an answer from the Ministry of Defence.
Chinook Helicopters: Procurement
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his target is for the number of Chinook aircraft in the forward fleet in 2035.
Awaiting an answer from the Ministry of Defence.
Chinook Helicopters: Procurement
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many aircraft will comprise the Chinook Forward Fleet in 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Awaiting an answer from the Ministry of Defence.
Oil: Scotland
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much was the purchase of the Finnart Oil Terminal.
Answer · 22 Jul 2026
Due to commercial sensitivities, we are unable to disclose the purchase price. This acquisition forms part of the Clyde Transformation Programme, which will invest £15.1 billion over ten years to directly improve Royal Navy readiness. The Finnart Oil Term...
Early day motions
| 15 Jul 2026 | Military housing | 24 sig. |
| 15 Jul 2026 | Defence Investment Plan | 19 sig. |
| 22 Jun 2026 | Fountain Inn in Plumpton | 6 sig. |
| 22 Jun 2026 | Chyngton Primary School and Nursery OPAL Platinum Award | 5 sig. |
| 13 May 2026 | Reaching 3% of GDP on defence by 2030 | 41 sig. |
| 13 May 2026 | Rebuilding UK defence ties with Europe | 44 sig. |
Speeches in the chamber
15 Jul 2026 National Security
The Liberal Democrats will support the regulations, which are welcome if somewhat overdue. We have argued for years that the IRGC should face much tougher action here in the United Kingdom. Despite successive Governments recognising the th…
15 Jul 2026 Iran
It is a good challenge. Obviously, what I am talking about is a long-term solution. The military option has been tried. The United States, the pre-eminent military power on Earth, has expended a huge number of missiles and other military a…
15 Jul 2026 Iran
Yes, of course. All our proposals are fully costed, and if the hon. Gentleman would like me to do so, I can send him more information on how we would pay for them. Every time that instability somewhere else sends a shockwave through our ec…
15 Jul 2026 Iran
Primarily, shipping needs to be protected from attacks in the strait of Hormuz. The first way to do that is to reach a settlement that keeps shipping safe in the strait of Hormuz and, as I said in my previous point, that is why we need to …
15 Jul 2026 Iran
The picture in Iran remains volatile. We have seen renewed military strikes, threats against ships in international waters and rhetoric that keeps ratcheting upwards. Put together, that is the kind of mix that tips into a spiral that nobod…
13 Jul 2026 Violence against Women and Girls
Sussex is in the grip of a crisis of violence against women and girls. In the county, only 3% of reported rape cases ever make it to trial, and of the few who ever get their day in court after distressing delays, just 53% see a conviction.…
13 Jul 2026 Violence against Women and Girls
4. What steps her Department is taking to help tackle violence against women and girls.
8 Jul 2026 Rearmament and Warfighting Readiness
I congratulate my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Tunbridge Wells (Mike Martin) on securing this extremely valuable debate. Much has been said about rearmament and defence in this House in recent months. It is widely accepted tha…
6 Jul 2026 Defence Investment Plan
It is clear that the Government’s defence investment plan is not fully funded. It adds little more than a sticking plaster to the gaping holes left in our armed forces by years of Conservative cuts. We need to rapidly regenerate our milita…
6 Jul 2026 Russia: Level of Threat to UK
As our brave Ukrainian allies have halted the advance of the Russian army, Putin has resorted to expanding his air campaign against Kyiv and other Ukrainian civilian targets. His growing barbarism is matched only by his desperation. The UK…
30 Jun 2026 Defence Investment Plan
indicated dissent.
30 Jun 2026 Defence Investment Plan
I thank the Secretary of State for advance sight of his statement, albeit 14 months late and one Defence Secretary later. The Liberal Democrats welcome investment in the technologies reshaping warfare in Ukraine and beyond. Our armed fo…
17 Jun 2026 Rural Pubs: Fiscal Support
It is a pleasure to serve under you, Mrs Hobhouse. I congratulate the hon. Member for Meriden and Solihull East (Saqib Bhatti) on securing this timely and important debate. Pubs are not just places to grab a drink, as anyone who has gro…
15 Jun 2026 Russian Shadow Fleet
I thank the Secretary of State for advance sight of his statement, and I join others in welcoming him to his new role. May I start by associating myself with colleagues’ remarks in thanking our Royal Marines? Through their bravery and s…
15 Jun 2026 Defence Investment Plan
With the defence investment plan now nine months overdue, I hear almost daily from small and medium-sized defence enterprises that face a funding precipice. Many are warning that without certainty from Government, they will be unable to in…
8 Jun 2026 Water Companies
Villagers in Rodmell in my constituency have been without water or had low water pressure for weeks—including during the recent heatwave—with little or no communication from South East Water. Just up the road in Ringmer, residents are real…
2 Jun 2026 Armed Forces Bill
On that point, will the Minister give way?
2 Jun 2026 Armed Forces Bill
As I am sure the hon. Member is aware, this was a recommendation of the Atherton report, and there was good reason for it. That inquiry took a lot of evidence on this subject, and the view was that this change would increase confidence. S…
2 Jun 2026 Armed Forces Bill
I understand exactly what the right hon. and gallant Member is saying, but failures in the civilian justice system—which, as he rightly observes, has a big backlog of cases—should not be a reason for reducing people’s confidence about comi…
2 Jun 2026 Armed Forces Bill
Absolutely. The suicide rate among young men in this country is already high, and the numbers relating to people discharged from the armed forces are deeply troubling. We have passed motions, published strategies and made commitments, b…
Source: contributions on parliament.uk.
Full parliamentary career
Opposition posts
- Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Europe) · Opposition Department 18 Sep 2024 – 1 Oct 2025
Committee memberships
- Finance Committee (Commons) 28 Oct 2024 – 19 Jan 2026
Elections contested
- Tunbridge Wells 7 May 2015
Expenses
Contact & offices
01273 526 310
Parliamentary office
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Constituency office
Constituency office
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about James MacCleary, answered from official Parliament data.
Who is James MacCleary?
James MacCleary is a Member of Parliament representing Lewes in the House of Commons. See James MacCleary's official Parliament profile.
Which party does James MacCleary represent?
James MacCleary sits as Liberal Democrat. See James MacCleary's official Parliament profile.
Which constituency does James MacCleary represent?
James MacCleary is the Member of Parliament for Lewes. See James MacCleary's official Parliament profile.
How long has James MacCleary been an MP?
James MacCleary has served in the House of Commons for 2 years. See James MacCleary's official Parliament profile.
What registered interests are listed for James MacCleary?
James MacCleary has 7 entries in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. See James MacCleary's official Parliament profile.
Source: this MP's official Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.