James Orr (British academic) Last updated October 23, 2025 British academic and philosopher (born 1978)
James Tristan Ward Orr (born November 1978) is a British right-wing theologian ,philosopher and political activist.
Career Orr is currently an associate professor of Philosophy of Religion at the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge ;previously,he spent four years as a McDonald Postdoctoral Fellow in Theology ,Ethics ,and Public Life at Christ Church,Oxford . [ 2]
He is also a national conservative commentator and has been described by JD Vance as his "British sherpa". [ 3] [ 4] [ 5] [ 6] He has written for many publications on the themes of Christianity,academic freedom and the Trump-Vance administration . [ 7] [ 8]
He is UK Chairman of the Edmund Burke Foundation ,which aims to strengthen the principles of national conservatism, [ 9] and a member of the advisory council of the Free Speech Union . [ 10] He co-runs the Roger Scruton Legacy Foundation. [ 11] He chairs the advisory board of the Centre for a Better Britain ,a think tank formerly known as Resolute 1850 . [ 12] [ 13] [ 14] [ 15]
Orr has links with numerous figures in politics. In 2021 Orr invited Jordan Peterson to speak at Cambridge University. [ 16] In October 2025,it was announced that he has been appointed as a senior advisor to Nigel Farage ,the leader of Reform UK . [ 17]
Political views Orr has been involved with a debate around free speech at the University of Cambridge. In 2020 he was one of those behind an amendment to the University's Statement on Freedom of Speech,seeking to replace the word "respect" for the opinions of others with "tolerance". [ 18] He has argued that universities need to be "decolonised" from a "new form of soft imperialism,an ideology that is dividing us from each other,politicising our culture,and eroding our freedoms." [ 19]
Orr is an anti-abortionist who is opposed to abortion at any stage in foetal development. [ 20] [ 17] He opposes abortion under all circumstances,making no exception for victims of rape. [ 21]
He has described asylum seekers as "invaders". [ 17] In March 2025 he was interviewed for the BBC Radio 4 Today podcast . [ 22] Politico has described him as a leading figure in the British national conservative movement. [ 4]
Private life His wife Helen is an Anglican vicar. [ 4] [ 23]
Orr has said that he considered the late Charlie Kirk as a friend. [ 24]
References 1 2 Crampton, Robert (15 August 2025). "James Orr: JD Vance is just a normal guy who likes his beers" . The Times . Retrieved 16 August 2025 . ↑ "Dr James Orr" . Cambridge University . Cambridge. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024 . ↑ Crampton, Robert (15 August 2025). "James Orr: JD Vance is just a normal guy who likes his beers" . The Times . Retrieved 16 August 2025 . 1 2 3 Snowdon, Peter; McElvoy, Anne (19 September 2024). "Meet JD Vance's English philosopher king" . Politico . Retrieved 20 August 2025 . ↑ Frayer, Lauren (27 October 2024). "Meet JD Vance's 'British Sherpa' mentor" . NPR Illinois . Retrieved 19 August 2025 . ↑ McElvoy, Anne (29 September 2024). "Faith, family, free speech – JD Vance's mentor on why his man is the future of the Republicans" . The Telegraph . ISSN 0307-1235 . Retrieved 28 March 2025 – via www.telegraph.co.uk. ↑ "James Orr, Author at The Spectator" . The Spectator . 12 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025 . ↑ "Author: James Orr" . The Critic . Retrieved 16 August 2025 . ↑ "Personnel – Edmund Burke Foundation" . Edmund Burke Foundation . Retrieved 28 March 2025 . ↑ "About Us" . Free Speech Union . 16 February 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2025 . ↑ Garamvolgyi, Flora; Walker, Peter (28 August 2023). "Viktor Orbán-influenced university plans outpost in London" . The Guardian . Retrieved 18 August 2025 . ↑ "James Orr: 'This New Nation That's Emerging Is Really No Nation At All' . Politics Home . 4 September 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025 . ↑ "Nigel Farage appoints right-wing anti-abortion theologian as Reform senior adviser" . The Independent . 19 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025 . ↑ Pogrund, Gabriel (21 June 2025). "The Nigel Farage backers chasing Maga millions and a Jenrick pact" . The Times . Retrieved 21 October 2025 . ↑ Rogers, Alexandra (3 June 2025). "Reform-linked thinktank hires comedian in policy and PR push" . Sky News . Retrieved 21 October 2025 . ↑ "Jordan Peterson heals old wounds with Cambridge return" . UnHerd . Retrieved 21 October 2025 . 1 2 3 Maddox, David (19 October 2025). "Nigel Farage appoints right-wing anti-abortion theologian as Reform senior adviser" . The Independent . Retrieved 20 October 2025 . ↑ Davies, Madeleine (25 February 2022). "Students at Cambridge say Divinity Faculty needs to combat its 'racist views' . Church Times . Retrieved 16 August 2025 . ↑ Boulding, Jamie (3 November 2022). "Truth Seekers or Coddlers at the Elite University? A Conversation with James Orr" . Public Discourse . Retrieved 29 August 2025 . ↑ Davis, Phoebe (17 August 2025). "US Christian conservative groups escalate support for UK anti-abortion protesters" . The Observer . Retrieved 20 October 2025 . ↑ Maddox, David (19 October 2025). "Nigel Farage appoints right-wing anti-abortion theologian as Reform senior adviser" . The Independent . Retrieved 21 October 2025 . ↑ "The Today Podcast – JD Vance: does Trump's VP really hate Europe? – BBC Sounds" . www.bbc.co.uk . Retrieved 28 March 2025 . ↑ "Bassington Development 18.10" (PDF) . www.bassingbournchurch.org.uk . ↑ "Reform UK appoints James Orr, anti-LGBTQ+ theologian and ally of Charlie Kirk, as senior adviser to Nigel Farage" . Attitude via Yahoo News . 20 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025 . This page is based on this
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