Jamie joined the SNP aged 18 and became active in the party's student wing.  During his time as a student he was involved in the campaigns to elect Ian Hamilton and Alasdair Gray as rector of Glasgow University.

He also served as Senior Vice President of Glasgow University Students' Representative Council and as convenor of the SNP student wing, as well as representing them to the party's National Executive Committee for two years.

Jamie has also served as convener of the SNP youth wing and secretary of the SNP's Glasgow Regional Association.

Jamie was election Agent to Alex Dingwall, SNP candidate in Glasgow Maryhill at the 2001 general election, before standing as an SNP council candidate for the Firhill ward in Glasgow in 2003, and in the Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East seat at the 2005 Westminster election.

He has worked variously as a doorman at the Citizens' Theatre in Glasgow, as a data processor at Scottish Power and as a research assistant for Alex Neil MSP.  Jamie and his wife, Julie, live in Cumbernauld.