Editing John Whittingdale

[[File:John whittingdale.jpg|400px|thumbnail|left|John Whittingdale (Conservative) Member of British Parliament]]

John Whittingdale was born on October 16, 1959. He is a Conservative MP for the constituency of Maldon. He has been an MP since 1992.

== Political career ==

From 1982-84, John Whittingdale was Head of the political team at the Conservative Research Department. Afterwards be worked as Special Adviser to Norman Tebbit (1984-84), Leon Brittan (1985-86) and Paul Channon (1986-87). In 1987, he worked on international privatisation at NM Rothschild.

In 1988, John Whittingdale became Political Secretary to Margaret Thatcher. This role was significant for John and helped to boost his political career.

Whittingdale was elected Member of Parliament for South Colchester and Maldon in 1992. He was a member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Health from 1993 to 1997 and was Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister for Education and Employment between 1994 and 1996.

In 1997, John was elected to represent the new constituency of Maldon and East Chelmsford. He spent a year as an Opposition Whip and in 1998 was appointed a front bench Treasury spokesman. 

In 1999, he became Parliamentary Private Secretary to the then Leader of the Opposition, William Hague. 

Following the 2001 General Election, John was appointed to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and in July, 2002 Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. 

In 2004, John returned as Shadow Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport. In July 2005 he was elected Chairman of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.

In 2006, John was elected as one of three Parliamentary representatives on the Board of the Conservative Party. He was also elected Vice Chairman of the Conservative Parliamentary Party 1922 Committee.

== Education ==

John Whittingdale was educated at Sandroyd School, Wiltshire and Winchester College, Hampshire. He then studied Economics at University College London (UCL). During his time at UCL John Whittingdale was the Chairman of the UCL Conservative Society.

== Notable work ==

Working for Margaret Thatcher opened many doors for John Whittingdale. Upon her resignation, he received an OBE and he continued as her Political Secretary until his election to parliament in 1992.

== Further info ==
Local Appointments:
President - Maldon District Chamber of Commerce
Patron - Dawn Sailing Barge Trust
Patron - Home-Start, Maldon
Vice-Patron - Helen Rollason Cancer Care Centre Appeal
President - Maldon Branch, Parkinson’s Disease Society
Patron - Friends of St Lawrence Newland Church Trust
Honorary ‘Friend of Swans’ – SWANS, Maldon (Sometimes We All Need Support)
Patron - East Coast Sail Trust
Patron - Victoria County History of Essex Appeal Fund
Patron - Friends of St Mary’s Church, Burnham
Vice President - Maldon Cricket Club
Vice President - Maldon Rugby Club
President - Maldon Choral Society

== External links ==

John Whittingdale - Member of Parliament for Maldon: http://www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk/index.php