Nigel Farage has visited Corringham today to meet up with Reform UK's fifth MP.

The Reform leader is in the town today to watch Thurrock Community Football Club's inaugural match alongside South Basildon and East Thurrock’s new Reform MP James McMurdock.

Mr McMurdock secured Reform’s fifth seat after lengthy recounts which lasted a full day

He gained the seat from the Conservatives with 12,178 votes, winning a majority with just 98 more than Labour’s candidate Jack Ferguson.

So who is James McMurdock? 

James McMurdock made his first entry into politics when he was announced as Reform UK’s candidate in South Basildon and East Thurrock just weeks ago.

James, from Langdon Hills, had no election agent and managed his own campaign after being added at the last minute to help boost Nigel Farage’s Reform party numbers in the lead-up to the General Election. 

By his own admission, he is the “opposite of a career politician” and claims his choice to stand was “built on the need to take action”. 

After growing up in Basildon, he graduation from the University of Sussex with a BA in Economics. 

During his time at university, he was elected treasurer for the varsity rugby club and co-founded the finance society. 

Following his graduation, he launched a career in banking that he claims has “facilitated billions of dollars in business deals” for both “global corporations and developing country governments”. 

His career has seen him land roles at Barclays Capital, Goldman Sachs and the prestigious Lehman Brothers.

During the count, he was supported by his mum, dad and young family.