Mr John Whittingdale

John Whittingdale was first elected as a Conservative MP in 1992. Born in Sherborne, Whittingdale was educated at Winchester College before attending University College London to study Economics. Shortly after graduating, Whittingdale worked in the Conservative Research Department before serving as an adviser to three successive trade secretaries. Whittingdale served as political secretary to Margaret Thatcher from 1989, and continued to fulfil this role after her premiership ended in 1990, until his 1992 election for South Colchester and Maldon. He soon joined the Consolidation Bills Committee and the Health and Social Care Committee, and became parliamentary private secretary to Eric Forth, the then education minister. After boundary changes were implemented in 1997, Whittingdale was elected to the new Maldon and East Chelmsford constituency. He then became an opposition whip and then the party’s spokesperson for the treasury. Following the 2001 general election, he became shadow trade secretary and later served twice as shadow culture secretary and also as shadow environment secretary. He returned to the backbenches after the 2005 general election and became the chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee. In his capacity as chairman, Whittingdale led an investigation into the phone hacking scandal and the committee was also involved in preparations for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. Between 2015 and 2016, Whittingdale served as culture secretary in David Cameron’s government and was one of few cabinet ministers to support the Vote Leave campaign in the 2016 referendum. He left the government for Theresa May’s premiership but spent some of his subsequent time on the Brexit select committee and a plethora of APPGs, including Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine and Polo. Whittingdale rejoined the government as a junior minister in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in February 2020.

Hot Seat

What is your proudest political achievement, both at constituency and national level?

Having served as Political Secretary to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and then later as Secretary of State and Minister in the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

What domestic issues or reforms are of most concern to you?

Media and Broadcasting Policy and Digital Transformation.

Which foreign affairs issues are of most importance to you?

UK Soft Power, Russian Expansionism.