Mr Whittingdale has been at the heart of the British politics since the early 80’s. From 1982–84, he was head of the political section of the Conservative Research Department. He served as Special Adviser to three successive Secretaries of State for Trade and Industry, Norman Tebbit, Leon Brittan and Paul Channon before becoming Political Secretary to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in January 1988. Upon her resignation, he was appointed OBE and continued to serve as her Political Secretary until being elected to Parliament in 1992 as MP for South Colchester and Maldon. 

Between 2005 and 2015, John was Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport select committee, overseeing the committee’s work in a huge range of areas, including the committee's investigation into the phone hacking scandal. For its work on the issue, including the appearance of Rupert and James Murdoch in front of the committee in 2011, he accepted The Spectator's 2011 "Inquisitor of the Year" award on the committee’s behalf.

 Following the 2015 General Election, he was appointed as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, a position he held until the government reshuffle of May 2016. 

The lecture takes place at Church House, Dean's Yard, Great Smith St, Westminster, London SW1P 3NZ. Refreshments will be served post-lecture. 

Anyone wishing to attend should RSVP Niall.Duffy@ipso.co.uk