James Lloyd Ashbury

right|"The Ocean Race": caricature of James Lloyd Ashbury by Carlo Pellegrini|frameJames Lloyd Ashbury (1834 – 3 September 1895) was a British yachtsman and Conservative Party politician.

In 1866, Ashbury inherited a leading position in the family company Ashbury Railway Carriage and Iron Company Ltd and a considerable fortune from his father.

Early life The son of John Ashbury, founder of the Ashbury Railway Carriage and Iron Company Ltd of Manchester, James trained as an engineer and joined the family company. When his father died in 1866 he inherited the business and a considerable fortune. His health was affected by the polluted atmosphere of Manchester, and Ashbury moved to the coast, where he took up sailing. As he attempted to advance in society he took up competitive yachting.

He made the first two, albeit unsuccessful challenges for the America's Cup, held since 1851 by the New York Yacht Club. Ashbury's first challenge was in 1870 with his yacht Cambria. The race for the America's Cup was held on 8 August, and Cambria faced 14 yachts of the New York Yacht Club. The race was won by the Magic, with the Cambria finishing in eighth place.

Returning to England, Ashbury commissioned a new yacht Livonia. Ashbury took his new yacht across the Atlantic to once again challenge for the America's Cup, this time on behalf of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club. Controversial from the start, Livonia was defeated 4–1. He returned to the United Kingdom without the trophy accusing the New York Club of engaging in "unfair and unsportsmanlike proceedings". The club responded by returning a number of trophies he had donated in the previous year. He was adopted as candidate by the Conservative Party, pledging to give "general but independent support" to the government of Disraeli. He called for "reform not revolution" and the provision of education for every man, woman and child. He failed to be elected, with the Liberals holding both Brighton seats.

He was again a candidate at the next general election in 1874 and on this occasion he was elected along with his fellow Conservative, Major-General Charles Cameron Shute.