Derek Foster

The Right Honourable Derek Foster, Baron Foster of Bishop Auckland, PC, DL (born 25 June 1937) was the British member of Parliament for Bishop Auckland in County Durham. He is a member of the Labour Party.

Related Topics:
The Right Honourable - PC - DL - 25 June - 1937 - British - Member of Parliament - Bishop Auckland - County Durham - Labour Party

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Foster was Chief Whip of the opposition between 1985 and 1995, becoming a member of the Privy Council in 1993. He became Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in 1995. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office, under David Clark, when Labour came to power in 1997. This was a relatively junior position for a front-bencher and media commentators were surprised that he was not given a post in the Cabinet.

Related Topics:
Chief Whip - 1985 - 1995 - Privy Council - 1993 - Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster - Parliamentary Secretary - Cabinet Office - David Clark - 1997

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Foster stood down from the government after just two days, to become chair of the Commons sub-committee on employment. 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.

Related Topics:
2001 - 2005 general election - 13 May - 2005 - Life peer

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