Lab took this seat from Con after 4 consecutive elections.
John Whitby
Labour PartyJohn Whitby is the Labour MP for Derbyshire Dales, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.
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Sign up freeCoverage of Derbyshire Dales has been mixed for John across 40 recent articles.
A marginal seat — won by just 350 votes (0.7%) in 2024. Covers Matlock, Ashbourne and Hilton (South Derbyshire). Population 97,197, notably older (median age 49 vs 41 nationally). Recorded crime is 52% below the national average.
Bakewell Old House Museum secures funding
The Star · 8 Apr 2026
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Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£28,200
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£39,600
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
5,455
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
76
67 primary, 4 secondary, 5 other
Total Income Tax▼
£336m
from 51,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£2,630
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£6,560
per taxpayer / year
Source: HMRC Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23. Allocated by taxpayer residence. Covers income tax only — excludes NI, VAT, and capital gains. Sample-based estimate (~8% confidence interval).
Attainment 8▼
49.4
average score (DfE)
GCSE Pass Rate▼
72.1%
5+ GCSEs 9-4 (DfE)
1 large town, 3 towns, 16 villages, rural areas — 89,874 total population
Source: ONS Built-Up Areas (Census 2021) + data.police.uk — crime rates are per 1,000 population (last 3 months)
Source: data.police.uk — street-level crime data aggregated from LSOA to constituency
38 councillors across 24 wards · Last elections: Jul 2024
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashbourne North | Liberal Democrats | Peter David Lewis Dobbs | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Stuart Lees | May 2023 | |
| Ashbourne South | Conservative and Unionist Party | Anthony Edward Bates | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Nick Wilton | May 2023 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Robert James Archer | May 2023 | |
| Bakewell | Labour Party | Bob Butcher | Feb 2024 |
| Bonsall Winster | Green Party of England and Wales | Matt Buckler | May 2023 |
| Bradwell | Labour Party | Andy Nash | May 2023 |
| Brailsford | Conservative and Unionist Party | Geoff Bond | May 2023 |
| Calver Longstone | Green Party of England and Wales | Kelda Boothroyd | May 2023 |
| Chatsworth | Conservative and Unionist Party | Susan Hobson | May 2023 |
| Crich South Wingfield | Conservative and Unionist Party | Tony Harper | May 2024 |
| Cromford Matlock Bath | Labour Party | Nick Whitehead | May 2023 |
| Darley Dale | Liberal Democrats | David Richard Burton | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Marilyn Amy Franks | May 2023 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Roger Paul Shelley | May 2023 | |
| Dovedale Parwich Brassington | Conservative and Unionist Party | Nigel Norman Walker | May 2023 |
| Doveridge Sudbury | Conservative and Unionist Party | John Michael Bointon | May 2023 |
| Hartington Taddington | Conservative and Unionist Party | David George Chapman | May 2023 |
| Hathersage | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Peter Desmond O'Brien | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Simon Douglas Ripton | May 2023 | |
| Hatton | Conservative and Unionist Party | Julie Elizabeth Patten | Jul 2024 |
| Hilton | Liberal Democrats | Grahame Warwick Andrew | Jun 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Jayne Elizabeth Davies | Jun 2023 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Sundip Meghani | Jun 2023 | |
| Hulland | Conservative and Unionist Party | Dermot Joseph Murphy | May 2023 |
| Matlock East Tansley | Liberal Democrats | David Christopher Hughes | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Joanne Linthwaite | May 2023 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Steve Flitter | May 2023 | |
| Matlock West | Liberal Democrats | Martin Stanway Burfoot | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Steve Wain | May 2023 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Sue Burfoot | May 2023 | |
| Norbury | Conservative and Unionist Party | Sue Bull | Feb 2024 |
| Tideswell | Green Party of England and Wales | Neil Anthony Buttle | May 2023 |
| Wirksworth | Labour Party | Dawn Greatorex | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Lucy Jane Elizabeth Peacock | May 2023 | |
| Labour Party | Peter Slack | May 2023 | |
| Youlgrave | Green Party of England and Wales | Laura Jane Mellstrom | May 2023 |
Source: DCLEAPIL v1.0 by Jason Leman, LEAP (Andrew Teale) & Democracy Club. CC BY-SA 4.0. Data last refreshed: 1 Apr 2026.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lab | 17,759 | 34.6% | |
Won 2019 GE | Con | 17,409 | 34.0% |
| Ref | 7,728 | 15.1% | |
| LD | 4,860 | 9.5% | |
| Green | 2,830 | 5.5% | |
| Ind | 369 | 0.7% | |
| Ind | 317 | 0.6% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Con | 29,356 | 58.7% | |
| Lab | 11,975 | 23.9% | |
| LD | 6,627 | 13.3% | |
| Green | 2,058 | 4.1% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2015 GEWon 2010 GE | Con | 29,744 | 60.0% |
| Lab | 15,417 | 31.1% | |
| LD | 3,126 | 6.3% | |
| Green | 1,002 | 2.0% | |
| Ind | 282 | 0.6% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GEWon 2010 GE | Con | 24,805 | 52.4% |
| Lab | 10,761 | 22.7% | |
| Ind | 5,508 | 11.6% | |
| LD | 3,965 | 8.4% | |
| Green | 2,173 | 4.6% | |
| Ind | 149 | 0.3% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GEWon 2015 GE | Con | 24,378 | 52.1% |
| LD | 10,512 | 22.5% | |
| Lab | 9,061 | 19.4% | |
| Ind | 1,779 | 3.8% | |
| Green | 772 | 1.6% | |
| Ind | 228 | 0.5% | |
| Ind | 50 | 0.1% |
John Whitby has not appeared in national political news coverage tracked by our system. This is common for backbench MPs who focus on constituency-level work rather than national policy debates.
11 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
Bakewell Old House Museum has secured Heritage Fund grant support to improve its historic 1534 building and develop its future strategy. The funding will enable renovation works from summer 2026 to 2028 while the museum remains operational, with plans to better engage local communities and visitors.
Derbyshire County Council is moving confidential digital files from its ageing County Hall datacentre to cloud storage, with costs reduced from £6.2 million to £3.95 million under Reform leadership. The migration addresses serious infrastructure risks including outdated equipment, cyber threats, and data security concerns, with the transfer beginning in August.
Bakewell Old House Museum has been awarded National Lottery Heritage Fund grant for essential maintenance of its grade II* listed building and a visioning process for its future development. The funding will support restoration work scheduled for 2026-2028 while keeping the museum open to the public.
A 67-year-old woman from Matlock in Derbyshire who experienced the care system as a child has become a foster carer and successfully helped 30 young people. The article highlights Derbyshire County Council's efforts to recruit foster carers and dispels common misconceptions that might prevent people from applying.
A couple in Bolsover, Derbyshire converted a derelict 1930s water tower into a luxury Airbnb property after purchasing it in 2016, spending £60,000 on renovations and opening it to guests in 2022. The unique property now attracts visitors seeking countryside getaways near the Peak District.
Derbyshire Dales District Council is progressing plans for a new village development as part of its local housing strategy, with 580 homes per year planned until 2040. The council has revised its approach to allocate 15% of new homes to a 'new settlement' (down from 70%) and expects 150 homes per year from 2035-2040, with the new village location still to be determined.
The Wonky Kettle, a new dog-friendly cafe opening in Hilton, Derbyshire Dales, is designed to be welcoming to all community members with a focus on inclusivity, mental health support, and quality food. Owner Danny Edwards, a local who previously ran a flooded business, is filling a community gap with a space that accommodates solo diners, families, and community events.
A Derby Telegraph opinion piece expresses deep skepticism about the recently green-lit A38 junction improvements scheme, citing 60 years of failed promises and delays since initial proposals in the 1960s. The article questions whether the now £600 million project will actually proceed given its history of cancellations, funding gaps, and political indecision.
A feature article promoting Matlock Bath as a tourist destination, highlighting its riverside scenery, fish and chip shops, attractions, and classic village character. The piece is primarily aimed at encouraging Easter holiday visitors to the area.
A pilot and passenger died in a glider crash at Darley Moor Airfield in Derbyshire in April 2025. An Air Accidents Investigation Branch report found the aircraft was overweight at takeoff, a contributory factor, and identified failures in pre-flight safety procedures including an unsigned inspection book and incorrect weight calculations.
A light aircraft crashed at Darley Moor racetrack in Ashbourne (Derbyshire Dales constituency) in April 2025, killing pilot Edward Browne and passenger James Litchfield. An AAIB investigation found the aircraft was approximately 36kg overweight, exceeding its maximum payload, which was a contributing factor to the crash.
This article lists petrol and diesel prices at various filling stations across Derbyshire, highlighting that Sainsbury's in Dronfield offers the cheapest petrol at 143.9p per litre, allowing drivers to save up to £10 per tank compared to the most expensive station. Derbyshire drivers are paying slightly below the national average for both petrol and diesel.
Potters, a historic department store on Buxton High Street, celebrates 166 years in business with roots dating back to 1860. The shop, family-owned since 1971, is hosting its Third Annual Potters Day on 23rd May and emphasises its commitment to quality, traditional service, and community engagement through initiatives like the new Potters Rewards loyalty scheme.
Petrol prices across the UK have spiked significantly following the Iran conflict, with Derbyshire Dales experiencing a 15.58% increase to 156p per litre. The article includes an interactive map showing regional price variations, with Derbyshire Dales among the harder-hit areas.
Independent petrol station owners in Derbyshire Dales and across the UK are closing forecourts due to customer abuse and wholesale price pressures amid Middle East crisis tensions. Mollie Ellis of Youlgreave Garage in the constituency has shut her forecourt specifically to avoid being seen as profiteering, highlighting how local retailers are caught between rising costs and angry customers.
The article is a feature celebrating Matlock Bath, a Peak District village in Derbyshire Dales constituency known for its seaside-style charm, historic appeal, and family-friendly attractions including fish and chip shops, museums, and riverside activities.
Derbyshire councils are implementing government-mandated weekly food waste recycling collections, with most areas starting in late March 2025. Derbyshire Dales will introduce the service from Monday, March 30, providing households with small indoor and larger outdoor bins plus annual liner supplies.
A feature article celebrating Matlock Bath as a popular tourist destination in the Peak District, highlighting its fish and chip shops, confectionery, and attractions like the Aquarium and Mining Museum. The article promotes the village as a seaside-style experience without being near the coast.
The M&S café in Ashbourne has closed to make way for expanded food product offerings, including over 200 new items and a horticulture section. The nearest M&S cafés are now in Tamworth and Derby, representing a loss of a local amenity in this Derbyshire Dales town.
Lumbards petrol station in Ashbourne, Derbyshire faces severe vulnerability to fuel price volatility due to its small storage capacity and frequent tanker deliveries, with the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East pushing oil prices sharply higher. The independent retailer describes the situation as highly uncertain and volatile, struggling with unpredictable supplier pricing while maintaining competitive margins and customer service.
An article promoting Winster, a historic village in Derbyshire Dales known for its steep main street, 70+ listed buildings, and the distinctive 16th-century Market House 'on stilts'. The piece highlights the village's heritage, tourism appeal, and local amenities including historic pubs.
A feature article about Winster, a Peak District village in Derbyshire Dales constituency, highlighting its 70+ listed buildings, historic market hall, and heritage pubs. The piece promotes the village as a tourist destination for those visiting nearby attractions like Matlock and Bakewell.
Matlock Meadows, a family-owned farm business near Matlock in Derbyshire Dales, has closed its farm shop and café after 15 years to focus on wholesale ice cream production. The business has successfully pivoted to supply around 100 wholesale customers including major local tourist attractions, citing operational pressures and staffing challenges as reasons for the change.
Two Derbyshire holiday cottages—Lydgate Cottage in Eyam and 1 Barley Cottages in Matlock—have been named winners in the 2026 Sykes Stars awards for consistently excellent guest feedback. The article highlights Derbyshire's strong staycation offering and notes that Matlock is now the top hotspot for holiday let investment in the UK, with owners earning significantly above the national average.
UK retailers including River Island and Krafft Jewellers are closing stores due to rising operating costs and the shift to online shopping. C W Sellors, a jewellery chain with stores in Derbyshire Dales towns including Ashbourne, Bakewell and Matlock, has been rescued from administration.
Ashbourne, a town within Derbyshire Dales constituency, is hosting its first art trail event called ARTbourne on 30-31 May, featuring over 100 artists displaying work across shops, churches, and homes with live music and demonstrations. The event celebrates local creativity and community spirit, with partnerships involving local schools.
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