Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale OBE MP

Member of Parliament for Maldon

Westminster News & Updates

This page brings together updates from Westminster covering work undertaken by Sir John Whittingdale OBE MP outside of formal speeches and debates. It includes meetings with Ministers and stakeholders, enquiries raised on behalf of constituents, briefings and roundtables, parliamentary events, and wider activity that supports scrutiny and decision-making.

Posts are shared to provide transparency on day-to-day work in Parliament and how it connects to priorities in the constituency.

Select Committee Report on Gaza

Statement reflecting concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, supporting ceasefire efforts, increased aid access, hostage release and a negotiated two-state solution as the path to lasting peace.

Tribute to Lord Tebbit

Tribute in Parliament to Norman Tebbit, recalling his public service, personal resilience after the Brighton bombing, and the devotion that led him to step back from government to care for his wife.

Future of the BBC World Service

Westminster Hall debate contribution stressing the importance of the BBC World Service as a global soft-power asset and urging Ministers to protect and strengthen its funding.

Jimmy Lai imprisonment in Hong Kong

Sir John Whittingdale MP meets Sebastian Lai to discuss his father, Jimmy Lai's, imprisonment in Hong Kong

Time for a Cuppa with Dementia UK

Attended a Dementia UK event in Parliament to meet Admiral Nurses and people with lived experience, highlighting the importance of specialist support and improved access to dementia care in communities.

St Mary’s CofE School visit

Welcomed pupils from St Mary’s Church of England School, Burnham-on-Crouch, to Westminster, discussing local and national issues and encouraging schools to arrange educational visits to Parliament.

Critical National Infrastructure

Meeting with the Armed Forces Minister to discuss protecting critical undersea infrastructure following reports of Russian activity near UK waters and growing security concerns.

Gigabit Broadband in Maldon

Welcomed progress on Gigabit broadband rollout in Maldon, with thousands of homes set to benefit from faster connectivity under Project Gigabit, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities.

Firearms licence fees

Sir John oppose proposed shotgun licence fee increases, warning they are disproportionate and place unfair financial pressure on rural communities.

Meeting with FirstPort

Sir John joined MPs in holding FirstPort to account over rising service charges and poor estate management, securing commitments on transparency, complaint handling and resolving constituents’ outstanding cases.

Assisted Dying Bill

Sir John explains his vote on the Assisted Dying Bill

Electricity Grid Upgrades Debate

Sir John warns offshore grid proposals could affect local communities, threatening countryside, livelihoods and property.