Roots in Essex and East London

Julia was born in Harlow and grew up in Stansted, Essex, as the youngest of three girls. Her mum was a primary school teacher and her dad a business consultant whose career involved managing a dairy in Chadwell Heath, running SMEs and turning around family businesses. She was educated at local state schools before securing a place at Queens’ College, University of Cambridge.

After university, Julia moved to East London and entered elected politics for the first time in 2014 as a councillor in Tower Hamlets to fight corruption and electoral fraud in the borough.

Julia led the office of a Central London MP, where she worked with financial and professional services firms in the City of London, ran campaigns supporting the creative industries and worked with the Conservatives’ International Office. She co-authored two books on the financial crash and was writing her own about London's development before her election to parliament.

Julia’s husband is a British-Australian who was born in El Salvador, and they have a daughter and a son.

Entering Parliament 2017 - 2019

Julia was first elected as Hornchurch & Upminster’s MP in 2017. She and her team immediately started campaigns to secure a new health hub in Hornchurch, improve Queen’s Hospital and local schools, and attract transport investment, including a new flyover at Gallows Corner.

During her first term in Parliament, Julia sat on the International Trade Select Committee, helping prepare Britain for its future as an independent trading nation outside of the EU. Julia also served as Secretary to the All-Party Group on Disabilities and graduated from the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme after spending time with the Royal Air Force. 

A Second Term 2019 - 2024

In December 2019, Julia was re-elected as Hornchurch & Upminster’s MP and was promoted to ministerial ranks as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office in February 2020.

After work to improve the Government’s digital services and manage the Brexit transition period, Julia was promoted as Minister for Media, Data & Digital Infrastructure in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in September 2021. She led for the Government on telecoms and digital infrastructure, including the rapid rollout of gigabit broadband, data, cyber security, media and creative industries.

After Prime Minister Rishi Sunak created the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Julia was appointed as Minister of State in the new ministry as well as DCMS, picking up tourism in her portfolio and acting as spokesman in the Commons on heritage and the arts as well.

Hattrick of Election Wins - 2024 Onward

Julia was returned as the MP for Hornchurch & Upminster for a third time in 2024 and, following a change in government, moved to the opposition benches and into the Shadow Cabinet. She currently holds the Labour Government to account as the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, as well as fighting for the causes which matter to residents. Her third term began with the opening of the St George’s NHS Hub in Hornchurch – the very first campaign she launched in 2017.