The Honourable Donald Michael Ellison Foster, MP, better known as Don Foster (born 31 March 1947) is a British Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament, representing Bath.
Biography
Foster was born in Preston, and educated at Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Keele University. Prior to entering politics, Foster worked as a teacher, management consultant and lecturer. Foster became an MP in the 1992 UK General Election when he famously beat then-Conservative Party chairman Chris Patten.
In 1997, the Bath electorate returned him with an increased majority of over 9,000. In the House of Commons, Foster is currently the Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture Secretary and has previously been spokesperson on transport and local government, education and social justice.
As a local party activist he was a founder member of the Avon Liberal Democrats and an Avon County Councillor. He was the leader of the Party group on the Council and Chair of the county's education committee.
Foster supports a number of local charities, including Ted's Big Day Out and Julian House. His main national charity is WaterAid.
Foster is married with two children (one daughter, one son) and two grandsons. His other interests include Third World issues; he is a member of Amnesty International and the Child Poverty Action Group. He also enjoys sport, music, travelling and reading.
See also
External links
- Don Foster MP official site
- Don Foster MP profile at the site of Liberal Democrats
- Bath Liberal Democrats
- ePolitix.com - Don Foster unofficial site
- Guardian Unlimited Politics - Ask Aristotle: Don Foster MP
- TheyWorkForYou.com - Don Foster MP
- The Public Whip - Don Foster MP voting record
- BBC News - Don Foster profile 10 February, 2005