In 1661, James was elected Member of Parliament for Reigate in the Cavalier Parliament. He was commissioner for recusants in 1675 and commissioner for the rebuilding of Southwark in 1677. He was re-elected MP for Reigate in the two elections of 1679. In 1680 he was removed from the commission of the peace when exclusionist justices were purged. He also suspended his role as commissioner for assessment for Surrey until 1689. He was elected again for as MP for Reigate in 1689. He was reinstated as J.P. in 1690. In 1695 he stood unsuccessfully at Reigate.
