Derek Foster, Baron Foster of Bishop Auckland

Derek Foster, Baron Foster of Bishop Auckland, PC, DL (25 June 1937[1] – 5 January 2019) was a British Labour politician who served as Member of Parliament for Bishop Auckland, in County Durham, from 1979 to 2005.[1]


The Lord Foster of Bishop Auckland

Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
In office
19 October 1995  2 May 1997
LeaderTony Blair
Preceded byAnn Taylor
Succeeded byMichael Heseltine
Shadow Minister for the Citizen's Charter
In office
19 October 1995  2 May 1997
LeaderTony Blair
Preceded byAnn Taylor
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Opposition Chief Whip of the House of Commons
In office
23 October 1985  19 October 1995
Leader
Preceded byMichael Cocks
Succeeded byDonald Dewar
Member of the House of Lords
Lord Temporal
In office
16 June 2005  5 January 2019
Life peerage
Member of Parliament
for Bishop Auckland
In office
4 May 1979  11 April 2005
Preceded byJames Boyden
Succeeded byHelen Goodman
Personal details
Born
Derek Foster

25 June 1937
Sunderland, England
Died5 January 2019(2019-01-05) (aged 81)
Sunderland, England
NationalityBritish
Political partyLabour

Political career

Foster was first elected to represent Bishop Auckland at the 1979 general election, and held this seat until his retirement in 2005. He served as opposition Chief Whip 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. However, the employment sub-committee was abolished in 2001 and he became a backbencher, retiring from the Commons at the 2005 general election.

He was appointed as a deputy lieutenant of County Durham in 2001, giving him the post-nominal letters "DL" for life. 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] He died on 5 January 2019 at the age of 81 from cancer.[3]

Other interests

Foster was deeply committed to The Salvation Army, serving at the Sunderland Millfield Corps, whilst also a member of the Labour Friends of Israel Policy Council.

Arms

Coat of 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

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
James Boyden
Member of Parliament
for Bishop Auckland

19792005
Succeeded by
Helen Goodman
Party political offices
Preceded by
Michael Cocks
Labour Chief Whip of the House of Commons
1985–1995
Succeeded by
Donald Dewar
Political offices
Preceded by
Michael Cocks
Opposition Chief Whip of the House of Commons
1985–1995
Succeeded by
Donald Dewar
Preceded by
Ann Taylor
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
1995–1997
Succeeded by
Michael Heseltine
Shadow Minister for the Citizen's Charter
1994–1995
Position abolished
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