John Whittingdale
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
