Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale OBE MP

Member of Parliament for Maldon

Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale MP

Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale has been Member of Parliament for Maldon since 1992, representing constituents in Westminster for over three decades.

Background

Educated at Winchester College and University College London, where he read Economics, John worked in Whitehall and the City before entering Parliament. He served in the Conservative Research Department, as Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, and later as Political Secretary and Private Secretary to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Parliamentary career

First elected in 1992, John has held a range of parliamentary and ministerial roles, including service on the Health Select Committee and the Opposition front bench as a Treasury spokesman and Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Committee leadership

From 2005 to 2015, John chaired the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, leading major inquiries into phone hacking, the future of the BBC, gambling regulation, broadband, tourism and preparations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Government roles

Following the 2015 General Election, John was appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and became a member of the Privy Council, overseeing policy across broadcasting, digital media, telecommunications, tourism, heritage, the arts and sport.

Recent service

John returned to Government in 2020 as Minister for Media and Data and was knighted in 2022 for political and public service.

Supporting constituents
As a Member of Parliament, John represents all residents regardless of how they voted. He regularly assists by raising issues with Government departments, making representations on behalf of constituents and bringing local concerns to national attention.

Need help?
If you live in Maldon and need support with housing, healthcare, transport, immigration or benefits, John’s office can assist and raise matters with the relevant authorities.

Constituency surgeries

John holds regular surgeries, typically on Fridays and Saturdays. To make an appointment or enquire about upcoming dates, please contact the Maldon Conservative Office on 01621 855663.

Recent appearances in the House of Commons Chamber

John Whittingdale on Peter Mandelson

Sir John Whittingdale cites committee evidence that proper vetting was bypassed, highlights Downing Street’s role in forcing Mandelson's appointment, and warns of national security risks and potential damage to UK–US relations.

New Health Centre Funding

Sir John Whittingdale presses the Government to include Maldon in future health centre funding rounds and requests a meeting to advance plans for a long-promised local health hub.

Local Government Reorganisation

Sir John Whittingdale questions feasibility of rapid Essex reorganisation, warning pressures from elections, NHS changes, and social care demand make the Government’s timetable unmanageable and urges reconsideration.

Support for Media Freedom

Sir John Whittingdale welcomes the UK co-chairing the Media Freedom Coalition and urges financial support for independent media where press freedom is declining, noting reduced US backing.

UK Response to Iran

Parliamentary question to the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, about his response to the situation in Iran, asking for clarity on his lack of support for the actions of UK allies.

UK Media Freedom

Parliamentary Question challenging the Chief Secretary about media freedom, and the UK's upcoming role as chair of the global Media Freedom Coalition, in light of allegations against Labour Together.