John Whitby
John Whitby | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Derbyshire Dales | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Sarah Dines |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1965 or 1966 (age 57–58)[1] |
| Political party | Labour |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Progressive metal Alternative metal |
| Occupations | Singer |
| Years active | 1988–1998 |
| Formerly of | The Beyond |
John Whitby (born 1965 or 1966)[1] is a British politician and former musician who has been the Member of Parliament for Derbyshire Dales since 2024. A member of the Labour Party. He was also the lead singer for The Beyond.
Early Life[edit]
He attended Woodlands Secondary Modern.[2] At 21 he was living in Allestree, and was working on an Enterprise Allowance Scheme in Derby.[1]
Music[edit]
Whitby was the lead singer in the Derby Progressive rock band The Beyond.[3][4] The band was described as a fusion of funk and metal.[5] He was recruited by the band's founders, guitarist Andy Gatford and drummer Neil Cooper, with whom he'd been school friends.[5] After that band ended he, along with many of his band mates, would form the band Gorilla.[6][7] In 2018, while Whitby was a mayor, the band would play a reunion gig, raising thousands for charity.[8]
Politics[edit]
After music Whitby joined the civil service.[9] He became a councillor on Derby City Council in the early 2010s. In May 2017 he was made Mayor of Derby, a position which is held for a year, during which he raised £64,000 for charity. Despite it being being noted that he was popular, even with opposition parties, he lost his seat just before the end of his term.[10] He would regain a seat on derby council in the 2022 elections.[11]
In the 2024 United Kingdom general election, he stood for the Derbyshire Dales constituency. He gained the seat from Sarah Dines, a member of the Conservative Party, with a majority of 350.[12][13][14]
Personal life[edit]
He is a foster carer.[9]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Sassi, Michael (27 April 1990). "Rock Success made in Derby". Evening Telegraph. p. 15. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Hawley, Zena (24 February 2018). "Derby mayor reveals painting he hopes will raise money for charity". Derbyshire Live. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Curtain, Peter (11 September 1990). "Heavy Metal Maestro Turns to Opera". Evening Telegraph. p. 44. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ "Mayor to join former band The Beyond to raise money for charity". Derbyshire Live. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ a b "The Beyond Back on Home Front". Evening Telegraph. 17 August 1993. p. 22. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Day, Eleanor (29 October 1997). "Gorilla play live at Virgin". Evening Telegraph. p. 15. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ "Sheldon's Sounds". The Derby Express. 19 October 1995. p. 27. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Harper, Christopher (17 February 2018). "Watch the Mayor of Derby as he rocks out with his former band". Derbyshire Live. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ a b Cooper, Jon (28 June 2024). "Derbyshire Dales General Election candidates have their say on the campaign trail". Derbyshire Times. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Hawley, Zena (23 May 2018). "Was John Whitby the coolest Mayor of Derby ever?". Derbyshire Live. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Hawley, Zena (6 May 2022). "Labour make gains as Tories lose seats in Derby council elections". Derbyshire Live. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ "Derbyshire Dales | General Election 2024". Sky News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Bisoni, Irene; Corbett, Louis Dargavel; Hawley, Zena; Allen, George; Slater, Nigel; Hennessy, Peter; Fisher, Oscar (5 July 2024). "Derby and Derbyshire election results as Labour dominate". Derbyshire Live. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Hardwick, Tom (5 July 2024). "Sarah Dines "disappointed" as Derbyshire Dales swings to Labour – with every seat in the county turning red amid Tory electoral wipeout". Derbyshire Times. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
External links[edit]
- Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
- Contributions in Parliament at Hansard
- Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou
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