{"id":1554,"date":"2021-08-11T14:14:50","date_gmt":"2021-08-11T14:14:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test.johnwhittingdale.co.uk\/?page_id=1554"},"modified":"2026-02-17T16:47:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T16:47:27","slug":"rt-hon-john-whittingdale-obe-mp","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/?page_id=1554","title":{"rendered":"Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale OBE MP"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"1554\" class=\"elementor elementor-1554\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bad000d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bad000d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e21632c e-con-full elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e21632c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07944fb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"07944fb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8dd673c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8dd673c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"557\" src=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-02-17-at-10.10.31-1024x713.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4845\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-02-17-at-10.10.31-1024x713.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-02-17-at-10.10.31-300x209.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-02-17-at-10.10.31-768x535.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-02-17-at-10.10.31-1536x1069.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-02-17-at-10.10.31-2048x1425.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c05eb7 e-con-full elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5c05eb7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35cf036 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"35cf036\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bfb5c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"1bfb5c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mp-scope\">\n  <style>\n    .mp-scope{\n      font-family: Catamaran, Arial, sans-serif;\n      color:#02060E;\n      font-size:19pt;\n    }\n\n    \/* Headings (lighter + scaled) *\/\n    .mp-scope h2{\n      font-size:30pt;\n      font-weight:600;\n      margin:0 0 6px 0;\n      color:#002663;\n    }\n\n    .mp-flash{\n      height:3px;\n      width:100%;\n      margin:0 0 18px 0;\n      background:linear-gradient(to right, #002663, #6FA3FF);\n    }\n\n    \/* Body *\/\n    .mp-scope p{\n      line-height:1.7;\n      margin:0 0 16px 0;\n    }\n\n    \/* Callout rule blocks *\/\n    .mp-rule{\n      position:relative;\n      padding-left:18px;\n      margin:22px 0;\n    }\n    .mp-rule::before{\n      content:\"\";\n      position:absolute;\n      left:0;\n      top:6px;\n      bottom:6px;\n      width:5px;\n      background:#002663;\n      border-radius:4px 0 0 4px;\n    }\n\n    .mp-label{\n      font-weight:600;\n      margin-bottom:6px;\n    }\n\n    \/* Light info panels *\/\n    .mp-panel{\n      background:#F3F7FB;\n      padding:18px 20px;\n      margin:22px 0;\n    }\n  <\/style>\n\n  <h2>Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale MP<\/h2>\n  <div class=\"mp-flash\"><\/div>\n\n  <p>Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale has been Member of Parliament for Maldon since 1992, representing constituents in Westminster for over three decades.<\/p>\n\n  <div class=\"mp-rule\">\n    <div class=\"mp-label\">Background<\/div>\n    <p>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.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"mp-rule\">\n    <div class=\"mp-label\">Parliamentary career<\/div>\n    <p>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.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"mp-rule\">\n    <div class=\"mp-label\">Committee leadership<\/div>\n    <p>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.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"mp-rule\">\n    <div class=\"mp-label\">Government roles<\/div>\n    <p>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.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"mp-rule\">\n    <div class=\"mp-label\">Recent service<\/div>\n    <p>John returned to Government in 2020 as Minister for Media and Data and was knighted in 2022 for political and public service.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"mp-panel\">\n    <p><strong>Supporting constituents<\/strong><br>\n    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.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"mp-panel\">\n    <p><strong>Need help?<\/strong><br>\n    If you live in Maldon and need support with housing, healthcare, transport, immigration or benefits, John\u2019s office can assist and raise matters with the relevant authorities.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"mp-rule\">\n    <div class=\"mp-label\">Constituency surgeries<\/div>\n    <p>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.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a25b807 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a25b807\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a6e8f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"7a6e8f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mp-heading\">\n  <style>\n    .mp-heading h2{\n      font-family: Catamaran, Arial, sans-serif;\n      font-size:25pt;\n      font-weight:600;\n      color:#002663;\n      margin:0 0 6px 0;\n    }\n\n    .mp-heading .mp-flash{\n      height:3px;\n      width:100%;\n      margin:0 0 22px 0;\n      background:linear-gradient(to right,#002663,#6FA3FF);\n    }\n  <\/style>\n\n  <h2>Recent appearances in the House of Commons Chamber<\/h2>\n  <div class=\"mp-flash\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07efc7d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"07efc7d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b859a7 elementor-grid-3 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-loop-grid\" data-id=\"0b859a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;template_id&quot;:4880,&quot;_skin&quot;:&quot;post&quot;,&quot;columns&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;edit_handle_selector&quot;:&quot;[data-elementor-type=\\&quot;loop-item\\&quot;]&quot;,&quot;row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"loop-grid.post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-loop-container elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t<style id=\"loop-4880\">.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-a6f705d{--display:flex;--justify-content:flex-start;--align-items:center;--container-widget-width:calc( ( 1 - var( --container-widget-flex-grow ) ) * 100% );--gap:0px 0px;--row-gap:0px;--column-gap:0px;box-shadow:1px 15px 18px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);}.elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image .widget-image-caption{color:var( --e-global-color-text );font-family:var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif;font-size:var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size );font-weight:var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight );}.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-e051a24{margin:27px 9px calc(var(--kit-widget-spacing, 0px) + 9px) 9px;}.elementor-widget-theme-post-title .elementor-heading-title{font-family:var( --e-global-typography-primary-font-family ), Sans-serif;font-size:var( --e-global-typography-primary-font-size );font-weight:var( --e-global-typography-primary-font-weight );color:var( --e-global-color-primary );}.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-5adebd8{text-align:start;margin:10px 0px calc(var(--kit-widget-spacing, 0px) + 0px) 0px;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;}.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-5adebd8 .elementor-heading-title{font-family:\"Catamaran\", Sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:500;text-transform:uppercase;color:var( --e-global-color-text );}.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-5adebd8.elementor-element{--align-self:center;}.elementor-widget-theme-post-excerpt{font-family:var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif;font-size:var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size );font-weight:var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight );color:var( --e-global-color-text );}.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-ecc9f94{margin:-15px 10px calc(var(--kit-widget-spacing, 0px) + 26px) 10px;}@media(max-width:1024px){.elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image .widget-image-caption{font-size:var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size );}.elementor-widget-theme-post-title .elementor-heading-title{font-size:var( --e-global-typography-primary-font-size );}.elementor-widget-theme-post-excerpt{font-size:var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size );}}@media(max-width:767px){.elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image .widget-image-caption{font-size:var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size );}.elementor-widget-theme-post-title .elementor-heading-title{font-size:var( --e-global-typography-primary-font-size );}.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-5adebd8 .elementor-heading-title{font-size:16px;}.elementor-widget-theme-post-excerpt{font-size:var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size );}}\/* Start custom CSS for container, class: .elementor-element-a6f705d *\/\/* 1) Create a consistent image frame (adjust height to taste) *\/\n.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-a6f705d .elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image,\n.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-a6f705d .elementor-post__thumbnail,\n.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-a6f705d .elementor-loop-container .e-loop-item img,\n.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-a6f705d .swiper-slide img{\n  display:block;\n}\n\n\/* Frame wrapper(s) *\/\n.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-a6f705d .elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image,\n.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-a6f705d .elementor-post__thumbnail,\n.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-a6f705d .elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image .elementor-widget-container,\n.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-a6f705d .elementor-post__thumbnail a{\n  overflow:hidden !important;\n}\n\n\/* 2) Force ALL likely featured-image <img> elements to crop inside the frame *\/\n.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-a6f705d .elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image img,\n.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-a6f705d .elementor-post__thumbnail img,\n.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-a6f705d .elementor-loop-container .e-loop-item img,\n.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-a6f705d .swiper-slide img{\n  width:100% !important;\n  height:220px !important;           \/* <-- change this (e.g. 200 \/ 240 \/ 260) *\/\n  object-fit:cover !important;\n  object-position:center !important;\n}\n\n\/* 3) Stabilise title block height so card heights align *\/\n.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-a6f705d .elementor-heading-title,\n.elementor-4880 .elementor-element.elementor-element-a6f705d .elementor-post__title{\n  min-height:3.2em;\n}\/* End custom CSS *\/<\/style>\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"loop-item\" data-elementor-id=\"4880\" class=\"elementor elementor-4880 e-loop-item e-loop-item-6008 post-6008 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-john-in-parliament category-speeches category-westminster-news tag-mandelsonsecurityrow tag-nationalsecurityoversight tag-ukparliamentaccountability\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\" data-custom-edit-handle=\"1\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6f705d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a6f705d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" href=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/?p=6008\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e051a24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e051a24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mandelson-Enquiry-w_-Robbins-scaled-e1776953619357-300x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-6031\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mandelson-Enquiry-w_-Robbins-scaled-e1776953619357-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mandelson-Enquiry-w_-Robbins-scaled-e1776953619357-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mandelson-Enquiry-w_-Robbins-scaled-e1776953619357-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mandelson-Enquiry-w_-Robbins-scaled-e1776953619357-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mandelson-Enquiry-w_-Robbins-scaled-e1776953619357-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5adebd8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5adebd8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">John Whittingdale on Peter Mandelson<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ecc9f94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-excerpt\" data-id=\"ecc9f94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-excerpt.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\tSir John Whittingdale cites committee evidence that proper vetting was bypassed, highlights Downing Street\u2019s role in forcing Mandelson's appointment, and warns of national security risks and potential damage to UK\u2013US relations.\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"loop-item\" data-elementor-id=\"4880\" class=\"elementor elementor-4880 e-loop-item e-loop-item-5996 post-5996 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-speeches tag-community-diagnostic-centres-uk tag-maldon-health-hub tag-maldon-healthcare tag-nhs-investment tag-st-peters-hospital-replacement\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\" data-custom-edit-handle=\"1\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6f705d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a6f705d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" href=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/?p=5996\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e051a24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e051a24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot_6-11-2025_154427_www.johnwhittingdale.org_.uk-1-e1772809743598-300x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4704\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot_6-11-2025_154427_www.johnwhittingdale.org_.uk-1-e1772809743598-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot_6-11-2025_154427_www.johnwhittingdale.org_.uk-1-e1772809743598.jpeg 615w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5adebd8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5adebd8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">New Health Centre Funding<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ecc9f94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-excerpt\" data-id=\"ecc9f94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-excerpt.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\tSir 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.\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"loop-item\" data-elementor-id=\"4880\" class=\"elementor elementor-4880 e-loop-item e-loop-item-5923 post-5923 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-speeches\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\" data-custom-edit-handle=\"1\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6f705d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a6f705d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" href=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/?p=5923\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e051a24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e051a24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"193\" src=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Local-Government-26MAR2026-e1774624622531-300x193.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-5924\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Local-Government-26MAR2026-e1774624622531-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Local-Government-26MAR2026-e1774624622531-768x493.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Local-Government-26MAR2026-e1774624622531.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5adebd8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5adebd8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Local Government Reorganisation<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ecc9f94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-excerpt\" data-id=\"ecc9f94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-excerpt.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\tSir John Whittingdale questions feasibility of rapid Essex reorganisation, warning pressures from elections, NHS changes, and social care demand make the Government\u2019s timetable unmanageable and urges reconsideration.\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"loop-item\" data-elementor-id=\"4880\" class=\"elementor elementor-4880 e-loop-item e-loop-item-5882 post-5882 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-speeches tag-bbc tag-bbc-world-service-support tag-freedom-of-the-press tag-independent-journalism-funding tag-international-media-freedom tag-uk-media-freedom\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\" data-custom-edit-handle=\"1\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6f705d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a6f705d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" href=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/?p=5882\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e051a24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e051a24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot_6-11-2025_154427_www.johnwhittingdale.org_.uk-1-e1772809743598-300x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4704\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot_6-11-2025_154427_www.johnwhittingdale.org_.uk-1-e1772809743598-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot_6-11-2025_154427_www.johnwhittingdale.org_.uk-1-e1772809743598.jpeg 615w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5adebd8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5adebd8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Support for Media Freedom<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ecc9f94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-excerpt\" data-id=\"ecc9f94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-excerpt.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\tSir 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.\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"loop-item\" data-elementor-id=\"4880\" class=\"elementor elementor-4880 e-loop-item e-loop-item-5744 post-5744 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-speeches\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\" data-custom-edit-handle=\"1\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6f705d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a6f705d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" href=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/?p=5744\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e051a24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e051a24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot_6-11-2025_171547_www.johnwhittingdale.org_.uk-1-e1771368474282-300x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4705\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot_6-11-2025_171547_www.johnwhittingdale.org_.uk-1-e1771368474282-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot_6-11-2025_171547_www.johnwhittingdale.org_.uk-1-e1771368474282.jpeg 592w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5adebd8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5adebd8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">UK Response to Iran<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ecc9f94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-excerpt\" data-id=\"ecc9f94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-excerpt.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\tParliamentary 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.  \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"loop-item\" data-elementor-id=\"4880\" class=\"elementor elementor-4880 e-loop-item e-loop-item-5732 post-5732 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-speeches\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\" data-custom-edit-handle=\"1\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6f705d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a6f705d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" href=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/?p=5732\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e051a24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e051a24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot_6-11-2025_154427_www.johnwhittingdale.org_.uk-1-e1772809743598-300x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4704\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot_6-11-2025_154427_www.johnwhittingdale.org_.uk-1-e1772809743598-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot_6-11-2025_154427_www.johnwhittingdale.org_.uk-1-e1772809743598.jpeg 615w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5adebd8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5adebd8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">UK Media Freedom<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ecc9f94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-excerpt\" data-id=\"ecc9f94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-excerpt.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\tParliamentary 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. \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1554","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1554","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1554"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1554\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5017,"href":"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1554\/revisions\/5017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}