John Whitby
John Whitby | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of Parliament for Derbyshire Dales | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Sarah Dines |
| Majority | 350 (0.6%) |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Labour |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Progressive metal Alternative metal |
| Occupations | Singer |
| Years active | 1988–1998 |
| Formerly of | The Beyond |
John Whitby is a British Labour Party politician and former musician who has been the Member of Parliament for Derbyshire Dales since 2024. He was also the lead singer for The Beyond.
Early life
He attended Woodlands Secondary Modern.[1] At 21 he was living in Allestree, and was working on an Enterprise Allowance Scheme in Derby.[2]
Music
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 had been school friends.[5] After that band ended he, along with many of his band mates, formed the band Gorilla.[6][7] In 2018, while Whitby was a mayor, the band played a reunion gig, raising thousands for charity.[8]
Politics
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 noted that he was popular, even with opposition parties, he lost his seat just before the end of his term.[10] He regained 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
He is a foster carer.[9]
References
- ^ Hawley, Zena (24 February 2018). "Derby mayor reveals painting he hopes will raise money for charity". Derbyshire Live. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Sassi, Michael (27 April 1990). "Rock Success made in Derby". Evening Telegraph. p. 15. 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
- LinkedIn profile
- Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
- Contributions in Parliament at Hansard
- Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou
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