Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale OBE MP

Member of Parliament for Maldon

House of Commons Speeches & Parliamentary Questions

This page brings together speeches, statements, and parliamentary questions delivered in the House of Commons by Sir John Whittingdale OBE MP. Entries are presented chronologically and include both oral contributions in the Chamber and written questions submitted as part of the formal parliamentary process.

BBC Charter Renewal Debate

Westminster Hall debate on the future of the BBC, raising concerns about editorial standards, governance and long-term funding ahead of Charter renewal.

Agricultural and Business Property Relief

Parliamentary question on farm inheritance tax, raising concerns about the impact on family farms and urging consideration of safeguards to protect generational farming businesses.

Venezuela

Parliamentary question pressing the Government to clarify the UK’s position following the fall of the Maduro regime, supporting democratic transition while emphasising respect for international law and stability in Venezuela.

Labour’s Family Farm Tax

Sir John warns Labour’s family farm tax is threatening generational farms in Essex, urging Ministers to reconsider measures that could prevent families passing holdings to the next generation.

DEFRA Questions

Sir John pressed the Government to scrap the proposed “family farm tax,” arguing it threatens his farming constituents’ ability to pass farms on to future generations.

Engagements

Sir John urged the Prime Minister to make any Beijing visit conditional on releasing imprisoned British journalist Jimmy Lai, warning he could die in custody.

Jimmy Lai Conviction

Sir John urges the Prime Minister to secure the release of British citizen and journalist Jimmy Lai, warning that any visit to Beijing should depend on action to end his imprisonment.

Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation

Sir John questioned ministers on SLAPPs, raising concerns after tribunal losses and urging firmer safeguards against abusive litigation.

Jimmy Lai Conviction

Sir John highlighted concerns for 78-year-old British journalist Jimmy Lai, asking the Foreign Secretary to meet his son and take further action to secure his release.

UK-based AI firms

Having met with UK-based AI firms holding creative industry licenses, Sir John asks Culture Minister to engage with British companies as well as bigger firms, supporting responsible innovation and licensing.

G20 and Ukraine

Sir John asked the Prime Minister whether US-brokered Ukraine peace proposals must be made acceptable to Russia, stressing the need for maximum pressure through military support, sanctions, and frozen assets.

Sir John Whittingdale MP speaks on BBC Panorama Edit

Sir John addressed the BBC Panorama Edit, contributing his views on the programme’s content and implications, ahead of the charter renewal he urges tougher enforcement of independence.