Conservative and Unionist Party MP for Maldon.
Whittingdale has been active on defence and national security in recent weeks, voting in favour of Conservative opposition motions calling for greater urgency on defence spending and backing several amendments to the Armed Forces Bill at Report Stage. He also voted against the government's timetable motion for the National Security (State Threats) Bill — backing more parliamentary scrutiny time — and supported amendments to preserve judicial oversight of the new state-threats powers. All of this sits within his party line; he has no rebel votes on record, voting 100% with the Conservative majority across 334 divisions.
His participation rate of 60% is below the Commons average, though 32 years in Parliament and a knighthood signal a longer career arc than most. His voting record leans strongly pro-business (95%), tough on crime (94%), and consistently against tax increases (100%), with no votes aligning with progressive taxation or the current government's agenda. He sits 33 percentage points above his own party average on armed forces welfare votes — the strongest deviation in his profile — and somewhat above it on civil liberties. His 217 speech contributions span economy, defence, culture and technology, reflecting a broad portfolio.
Whittingdale sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, which sharpens the context for his national security and defence activity. His highest-impact local news coverage centres on NHS service changes in Essex, particularly the threatened future of St Peter's Hospital — he has secured a Commons debate on the issue and met NHS leaders alongside Dame Priti Patel. Recent local coverage (59 articles in 90 days) clusters around culture and sport rather than parliamentary work. All voting and speech data runs to mid-June 2026.
The Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale is the Conservative MP for Maldon, and has been an MP continually since 9 April 1992.
Top eight by total divisions voted, this parliament. Volume measures engagement, not direction — see Notable Votes for free-vote moments and rebellions.
Source · The Public Whip · Hansard
Moments where the whip was free, or where Whittingdale broke ranks. Free votes are the truer signal of personal stance.
No rebellions or free votes recorded yet.
Source · Hansard
“Under Labour, police officer numbers have fallen contrary to campaign promises, and proposed regional force structures will reduce accountability and public confidence in policing.”
“The Bill is narrowly necessary to protect the hall's 150-year-old financial model and prevent £1.8 million in losses; governance safeguards and the Charity Commission already preve…”
“Welcomes military support but demands faster supply of Patriot air defences, formal war crimes tribunal, use of frozen assets for reconstruction, and formal terrorist state designa…”
“Government support is insufficient; hospitality businesses face existential pressure from cumulative cost increases and the proposed visitor levy threatens further damage.”
Select, joint and other committees Whittingdale currently sits on. Committee work is where much of the line-by-line scrutiny of bills and departments happens, away from the chamber.
| Committee | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Affairs Committee | Member | Select |
Source · UK Parliament Committees API
Committee seats are where backbenchers shape legislation and hold departments to account. Whittingdale sits on one.
| Department | Qs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Department for Science, Innovation and Technology | 12 | 21.8% |
| Treasury | 11 | 20.0% |
| Department of Health and Social Care | 7 | 12.7% |
| Department for Culture, Media and Sport | 5 | 9.1% |
| Home Office | 4 | 7.3% |
| Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government | 4 | 7.3% |
| Department for Business and Trade | 3 | 5.5% |
| Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office | 3 | 5.5% |
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking to promote UK soft power.
Soft power is fundamental to the UK's impact and reputation around the world. It builds relationships, promotes our values, and helps support our growth, prosperity and security.The Government is determined to make maximum use of all our so…read full →
Whether the provisions enabling AI Sandboxes in the Regulating for Growth Bill will include protections for UK Intellectual Property to ensure that it cannot be suspended to allow experimentation in re
The AI Growth Lab, enabled through the Regulating for Growth Bill, will support the safe testing of AI-enabled products and services by allowing, in limited and controlled circumstances, temporary modifications to certain regulatory require…read full →
Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of providing funding for covered tennis and padel facilities in Maldon constituency.
The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, should have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That has to mean delivering a range of facilities across the country …read full →
Whether her Department will extend the discount under Loan Charge settlement plan to schemes used before December 2010.
The Government commissioned an independent review of the loan charge to help bring the matter to a close for people who have not settled and paid their loan charge liabilities. The review identified affordability as a key barrier preventing…read full →
BPI (British Recorded Music) Ltd 28 February 2026 to 28 February 2026 |
NBC Universal International 22 February 2026 to 22 February 2026 |
Betting & Gaming Council 19 June 2025 |
Great Britain China Centre Name of donor: Great Britain China Centre
Address of donor: Kings Building, 16 Smith Square, London SW1P 3HQ
Estimate of the probable valu… |
Doha Forum Name of donor: Doha Forum
Address of donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Almirqab Tower, West Bay, Doha Qatar
Estimate of the probable val… |
Source · Members API · Last amended 16 Jun 2026
| Category | £ | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Staffing | 200,835 | 82.3% |
| Accommodation | 29,290 | 12.0% |
| Office Costs | 9,586 | 3.9% |
| MP Travel | 3,434 | 1.4% |
| Staff Travel | 981 | 0.4% |
| Total · 103 claims | 244,125 | 100% |
Source · IPSA · FY 24_25
Nothing tabled for Whittingdale on the published Order Paper this week.
| Year | Constituency | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Maldon | 19,374 | 38.9% | Won |
| 2019 | Maldon | 36,304 | 72.0% | Won |
| 2017 | Maldon | 34,111 | 68.0% | Won |
| 2015 | Maldon | 29,112 | 60.6% | Won |
| 2010 | Maldon | 28,661 | 59.8% | Won |
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| John WhittingdaleWON | Con | 19,374 | 38.9 |
Showing the MP’s own row only. Full result table: see Maldon →