John Whitby

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. At 21 he was living in Allestree, and was working on an Enterprise Allowance Scheme in Derby.

Music
Whitby was the lead singer in the Derby progressive rock band The Beyond. The band was described as a fusion of funk and metal. He was recruited by the band's founders, guitarist Andy Gatford and drummer Neil Cooper, with whom he had been school friends. After that band ended he, along with many of his band mates, formed the band Gorilla. In 2018, while Whitby was a mayor, the band played a reunion gig, raising thousands for charity.

Politics
After music Whitby joined the civil service. 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. He regained a seat on Derby council in the 2022 elections.

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.

Personal life
He is a foster carer.