A selection of Lord Foster of Bath's votes

See full list of topics voted on

• Generally voted against a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes 1 vote for, 2 votes against, 6 absences, between 2008–2014
• Consistently voted for reducing central government funding of local government Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2015
• Almost always voted for reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 13 votes for, 1 vote against, 3 absences, between 2011–2014
• Voted for raising England’s undergraduate tuition fee cap to £9,000 per year Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2010
• Generally voted for more EU integration Show votes 43 votes for, 12 votes against, 13 absences, between 2006–2014
• Almost always voted against paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes 0 votes for, 6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2012

We have lots more plain English analysis of Lord Foster of Bath’s voting record on issues like health, welfare, taxation and more. Visit Lord Foster of Bath’s full vote analysis page for more.

Recent appearances

• Shared Rural Network - Statement 28 Oct 2019

  My Lords, on these Benches, we welcome the Statement in so far as it goes, but we also note that it is not yet a done deal. I had the privilege to chair your Lordships’ Rural Economy Committee. We very quickly discovered that, on connectivity, rural areas have been left way behind. The Government told the committee that they have always recognised the need for rural areas to benefit as much...

• Rural Economy (Rural Economy Committee Report) - Motion to Take Note 8 Oct 2019

  My Lords, no one can doubt the passion and enthusiasm of the Minister, and I suspect that he and the committee are far closer than the Government’s response would suggest. Indeed, I suspect it is the rest of government that we need to persuade. I thank all members of the committee and all other noble Lords for their contributions to what has been a very encouraging debate, in the sense of...

• Rural Economy (Rural Economy Committee Report) - Motion to Take Note 8 Oct 2019

  My Lords, given the current political turmoil, it is tempting to confine my remarks to just one of the issues in our report that will have a huge impact on the rural economy, namely Brexit. While I can see no good news for the rural economy coming from Brexit, not least from a no-deal Brexit, I am sure your Lordships will be pleased that I shall avoid the temptation. However, I am reminded of...

More of Lord Foster of Bath’s recent appearances

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Profile

Liberal Democrat Peer

Entered the House of Lords on 5 November 2015

Previously MP for Bath until 30 March 2015 — General election

Entered the House of Commons on 9 April 1992 — General election

Also represented Bath

• Personal website
• Wikipedia page
• BBC News profile
• Early Day Motions signed by this MP

Expenses

• Expenses from 2004 to 2009
• Expenses from 2010 onwards

Topics of interest

• Culture Media and Sport
• Transport
• Transport
• Local Government and the Regions
• Home Department
• Health
• Railways
• Olympic Games
• Olympic Games 2012
• Rail Safety
• Sports: Finance

Currently held offices

• Member, Gambling Industry Committee (since 13 Jun 2019)
• Chair, Rural Economy Committee (since 17 May 2018)

Other offices held in the past

• Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) (28 Oct 2016 to 16 Jun 2017)
• Member, Licensing Act 2003 Committee (14 Jun 2016 to 4 Apr 2017)
• Comptroller (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Commons) (7 Oct 2013 to 8 May 2015)
• The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (6 Sep 2012 to 7 Oct 2013)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1 Jul 2003 to 6 May 2010)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Transport (1 Jun 2002 to 1 Jun 2003)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Environment, Transport and the Regions) (1 Jun 1999 to 1 Jun 2001)
• Member, Education & Employment Committee (15 Nov 1995 to 29 Mar 1999)
• Member, Education Sub-committee (15 Nov 1995 to 29 Mar 1999)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Work and Pensions) (1 Jun 1995 to 1 Jun 1997)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Education) (1 Jun 1992 to 1 Jun 1995)

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Mobile Homes Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Amendment) Bill Committee (3 out of 3)
• Live Music Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Sports Grounds Safety Authority Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Holocaust (Stolen Art) Restitution Bill Committee (0 out of 1)
• Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Bill Committee (2 out of 2)
• London Olympics Bill Committee (4 out of 4)
• National Lottery Bill Committee (8 out of 8)
• Gambling Bill Committee (2 out of 14)
• Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Bill Committee (5 out of 5)
• Gambling Bill Committee (6 out of 6)
• Railways and Transport Safety Bill Committee (18 out of 18)
• Homelessness Bill Committee (3 out of 3)
• Travel Concessions (Eligibility) Bill Committee (2 out of 2)
• Homes Bill Committee (12 out of 12)

Numerology

Please note that numbers do not measure quality. Also, representatives may do other things not currently covered by this site. More about this

• Has spoken in 102 debates in the last year — well above average amongst Lords. See all Lord Foster of Bath’s speeches
• Has received answers to 42 written questions in the last year — well above average amongst Lords.
• Replied within 2 or 3 weeks to a very high number of messages sent via WriteToThem.com during 2014, according to constituents.
• Has voted in 78.88% of votes in this House with this affiliation up to the 2015 general election — well above average amongst Lords. (From Public Whip)
• This MP’s speeches, in Hansard, are readable by an average 18–19 year old, going by the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level score.
• 70 people are tracking this peer — email me updates on Lord Foster of Bath’s activity
• Has used three-word alliterative phrases (e.g. "she sells seashells") 77 times in debates — average amongst Lords. (Why is this here?)