Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale OBE MP

Member of Parliament for Maldon

Helping Children and Young People

I welcome that ministers are continuing with the urgent work of overhauling how police, social care and other agencies work together to protect vulnerable children. This includes from the kind of organised grooming and sexual exploitation that has come to light in Rotherham, Rochdale and other towns and cities across the UK. To reduce the […]

Fisheries Policy

It is vital that we make the most of the opportunity leaving the EU offers us to take back control of our waters. I am disappointed the EU would not accept the UK Government’s proposal that, during the implementation period, we would sit in annual quota negotiations alongside other coastal states as an equal partner. […]

Woodville Primary School

John Whittingdale visited Woodville Primary School in South Woodham Ferrers. John spoke to the School Assembly about his work in Parliament and the importance of democracy. He then met the School Council and answered questions on Brexit, Windrush and Migration, Syria, and a number of other topics raised by pupils. Following his visit, the Head […]

Article for the Telegraph on Leveson and the Data Protection Bill

Tomorrow, the House of Commons will debate the Data Protection Bill. This is a vital piece of legislation which is essential to ensuring that our laws are up to date and that we will be able to continue to exchange data with Europe once we leave the European Union. During its passage through the House […]

Family Reunion

I strongly support the principle of family unity, but it is important to note that there are already legal routes for families to be reunited safely that are not dependent on our EU membership. The UK’s family reunion policy is generous, granting over 23,000 family reunion visas over the last five years, and I can […]

Overseas voters

A number of constituents have got in touch with me about British citizens voting overseas. British citizens who move abroad remain a vital part of our democracy, and it is important that they have the ability to participate. Indeed, expats retain strong links with the UK. They may have family here, or plan to return […]

#PassOnPlastic

John Whittingdale signed a pledge to #PassOnPlastic with Sky Ocean Rescue – a commitment to reduce single-use plastic consumption. Launched in January 2017, Sky Ocean Rescue aims to shine a spotlight on the issues of ocean health, particularly single-use plastic, and inspire people to make small changes. The #PassOnPlastic pledge was also signed by 113 […]

Sandon School Visit

John Whittingdale visited Sandon School to talk to Sixth Formers on a range of political issues. As well as having a tour, John discussed with students  a number of subjects which they wanted to raise including pollution and climate change, funding of the NHS, university admissions, global security and Brexit. John said: “it was a […]

John Whittingdale backs British farming

John Whittingdale has recognised the vital role that Maldon arable and dairy farmers are contributing to the local and national economy, after attending an event in Westminster this week.  Farming in East Anglia region contributes £1.25 billion to the local economy and provides 41,167 jobs – this is on top of the safe, affordable food […]

20 December 2017 – debate on Ukraine

Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con)    Share this contribution I beg to move,   That this House has considered the situation in Ukraine.   I thank you, Mrs Gillan, and the Speaker for this opportunity to debate the situation in Ukraine. I also thank the Minister for Europe and the Americas for coming to respond […]