Derek Foster, Baron Foster of Bishop Auckland

The Right Honourable The Lord Foster PC DL
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
In office 19 October 1995 – 2 May 1997
Leader	Tony Blair
Preceded by	Ann Taylor
Succeeded by	Michael Heseltine
Shadow Minister for the Citizen's Charter
In office 19 October 1995 – 2 May 1997
Leader	Tony Blair
Preceded by	Ann Taylor
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Opposition Chief Whip of the House of Commons
In office 23 October 1985 – 19 October 1995
Leader	Neil Kinnock John Smith Margaret Beckett (Acting) Tony Blair
Preceded by	Michael Cocks
Succeeded by	Donald Dewar
Member of Parliament for Bishop Auckland
In office 4 May 1979 – 11 April 2005
Preceded by	James Boyden
Succeeded by	Helen Goodman
Personal details
Born	25 June 1937
Political party	Labour

Derek Foster, Baron Foster of Bishop Auckland, PC, DL (born 25 June 1937)^[1] was the British member of Parliament for Bishop Auckland, County Durham from 1979 to 2005.^[1] He is a member of the Labour Party.

Political career

Foster was Chief Whip of the opposition between 1985 and 1995, becoming a member of the Privy Council in 1993. After Tony Blair became leader in 1994, he was keen to appoint a new Chief Whip and asked Foster to stand aside, in return for the promise of a seat in the Cabinet if and when Labour returned to power. Foster eventually agreed and became Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in 1995.

However, when Labour won the 1997 election, Foster was appointed to the relatively junior role of Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office, under David Clark. After giving the matter further thought, Foster stood down from the government after just two days, and later publicly accused Mr Blair of having broken his promise to him. He was eventually appointed chair of the Commons sub-committee on employment, becoming something of a thorn in the Government's side during Mr Blair's first term. But the employment sub-committee was abolished in 2001 and he became a backbencher, retiring from the Commons at the 2005 general election.

On 13 May 2005 it was announced that he would be created a life peer, and in June 2005 the peerage was gazetted as Baron Foster of Bishop Auckland, of Bishop Auckland in the County of Durham.^[2]

Other interests

Foster also has associations with The Salvation Army, serving at the Sunderland Millfield Corps, whilst also a member of the Labour Friends of Israel Policy Council.

Arms

Arms of Derek Foster, Baron Foster of Bishop Auckland

Adopted 2007 Coronet Coronet of a Baron Crest An Auk Azure beaked and supporting with the dexter foot a Crozier Or Escutcheon Azure two Pallets interlaced with two Barrulets Or all between four Mitres Argent Supporters On either side an Otter statant erect Azure supporting with the exterior forepaw and blowing a Trumpet Or Motto TO SERVE THE PRESENT AGE Symbolism The association of Durham with a gold cross on an Azure field is featured in a varied form in the Arms. The cross formation is placed between four mitres as a punning allusion on Bishop Auckland. Punning on Bishop Auckland is also extended into the Crest. In addition to being an industrious animal, the otter is associated with rivers and Bishop Auckland is sited on the River Wear. It is depicted in association with trumpets as the grantee has a particular interest in brass bands.

References

1. Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "B" (part 3)
2. The London Gazette: no. 57681. p. 8113. 22 June 2005.

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Derek Foster