Paul Foster MP

Congratulations to Cllr Arjun Singh (AJ!) on his hard-fought victory in Eccleston, Heskin and Charnock Richard ward of Chorley Borough Council. He is a fantastic councillor who works tirelessly for his residents, and this result shows that hard work, visibility and dedication still matter in politics. But it would be wrong not to acknowledge the wider picture. Across the country, Labour has suffered deeply disappointing and sobering results, with hardworking Labour councillors losing their seats after years of dedicated public service to their communities. On the doorstep, I've found it increasingly difficult to have meaningful conversations about Labour policies, local issues or the positive changes many of us want to deliver for the country, because almost every conversation quickly returns to the Prime Minister. Fairly or unfairly, leadership has become the dominant issue overshadowing everything else. We must accept this reality. I am a loyal person by nature. I value stability, seriousness and avoiding the constant cycle of political infighting and leadership speculation that has damaged parties and the country in the past. But there also comes a point where refusing to confront political reality becomes more damaging than managing change responsibly. One thing is absolutely clear: we cannot and must not ignore the message voters are sending us. People voted for change and they want to see change. If the public no longer believes the current leadership can deliver that, then it is not disloyal to acknowledge that fact, it is simply pragmatic. These results undoubtedly require serious reflection. Serious questions are being asked about whether Labour truly heard the concerns voters have been expressing for some time. But any discussion about the future leadership of the Labour Party must be approached calmly, orderly and in the national interest, not through chaos or personal attacks. Because if we fail to listen now, the consequences for the country could be profound. The prospect of handing power to Reform UK would not only reshape our politics for a generation, it would cause huge damage to us all and our way of life. The results are still coming in and I'll continue reflecting on them over the weekend, but the message from the electorate is already impossible to ignore.

Latest data on small boat arrivals from Home Office as of 1 May, 2026 1 January 2026 to 30 April 2026 = 6,416 people That’s 42% down on same period in 2025 gov.uk/government/pub…

We are investing in new rail, roads, and nuclear reactors.
 New scanners for our hospitals and free breakfast clubs for our children. We’re not going to let the Conservatives - or their friends in Reform - tear that down.

The Assisted Dying Bill will be scrapped is next week, despite the will of the elected House of Commons. Because of filibustering by a small number of peers in the unelected House of Lords, the bill will fall at the end of this session when Parliament is prorogued. For me, this is not what democracy should look like. I spoke to the @ObserverUK about why I would bring it back, despite having opposed it: observer.co.uk/news/politics/…

I want to thank @MartinSLewis and his charities for their tireless campaigning, shining a light on this crucial issue affecting millions of people. We will make the council tax system fairer by supporting families who fall behind rather than subjecting them to aggressive enforcement action. This is Labour in government.

The words of President Trump, that “a whole civilisation will die tonight”, are seriously shocking and deeply troubling. That is not the sort of language you'd expect anyone to use. Not least the president of a civilised nation. It matters even more when it comes from one of the most powerful men on earth. To speak so casually about the destruction of an entire civilisation is not just wrong, it is abhorrent. It disregards the humanity of millions: mothers, children, grandparents. Ordinary people who have done nothing wrong, but now caught in a conflict they neither asked for nor wanted. People are not disposable things. They are human beings, with hearts, minds, families, and futures that matter. That is why tone, judgement and restraint in leadership matter. I support the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, in his calm and measured approach. Recognising this is “not our war” does not mean indifference — far from it. This conflict is already having consequences far beyond the region, including instability in global markets that will only deepen the cost-of-living pressures families here at home are still grappling with. While I welcome the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, the situation remains wholly unacceptable and deeply fragile. That is why diplomatic leadership is so important. I am pleased the Prime Minister is engaging directly with leaders across the Gulf to support and uphold the ceasefire and to work towards a sustainable, peaceful resolution. My thoughts are with our British personnel stationed across the region; including those at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and other UK bases in the Gulf. They stand ready, often in uncertain and fast-moving circumstances, carrying out their duties with professionalism and courage. We owe them our full support. At moments like this, we need seriousness, humanity, and international cooperation. Not rhetoric that diminishes the value of human life.

Reform and the Conservatives are calling for the UK to leave the ECHR. A short-sighted, ill-judged policy driven more by political positioning than by principle. The consequences would be serious, not least for the integrity of the Good Friday Agreement. With Good Friday approaching, I raised this directly with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, asking how such a move would undermine the core foundations of that agreement.

Happy 34th Independence Day to Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦 Having served in the Balkans, it was a real privilege to meet members of the Bosnian and British-Bosnian community in Parliament and to hear first-hand how the country has developed over the years. I wore my @SrebrenicaUK badge in solidarity with Bosnian Muslims. We must never forget the atrocities committed between 1992 and 1995, when a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing led to the systematic murder of nearly 100,000 people — including the horrific events of July 1995 when more than 80,000 people were killed in just a few days. It was an honour to attend the parliamentary celebration, hosted by @aliciakearns MP, alongside guests including His Excellency Osman Topagić, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UK, Dr Waqar Azmi, Chairman of Remembering Srebrenica UK, AnesCeric, CEO of @bhuknetwork, and Zaim Pašić, Maria Shvenko, Kateryna Qader, Sarah Elizabeth Moore and Kim Sadique.

People across South Ribble have been in touch with me over the past few days regarding the situation in Iran and the wider Middle East. I know that people are worried, especially those with family or friends in the region. As someone who served nearly 15 years in the British Army, including in Iraq Kosovo and for a short period in Afghanistan I have seen first hand what conflict really means. We need calm heads, diplomacy and a clear plan for what the “day after” would look like, not further escalation. I have set out my thoughts in the statement.

Ashley has been an outstanding minister and has been so in the face of extraordinary adversity. She has achieved more as a minister than many politicians achieve in their entire careers. I’m so sorry to lose her from our team, but proud of her decision and her impact.

Paul Foster MP Newsletter - January '26 wix.to/7wOzn47

I was elected on a mandate for change, and policies like the duty of candour in the soon to be enacted Hillsborough Law is a significant part of delivering that change. In my view, today we have seen the first real test of it. I cannot support any motion or amendment that could conceal anything, by anyone, at any time — including an amendment proposed by the Government. So I am glad to see that the Government has agreed that cross-party intelligence and scrutiny committee can work together to establish the facts relating to Mandelson’s and controversial appointment and improper conduct while in public office, and who knew what, and when, so that the situation can be properly assessed. That is exactly what a duty of candour is all about.

À Labour source texts: “Not our fault they don’t understand procedure and can’t organise a group of *checks notes* 8 MPs”

🚨 NEW: Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman accidentally voted with Labour to abolish the two-child benefit cap tonight after entering the wrong lobby

The Royal Marines were in Parliament last week talking about Arctic and Cold Weather Warfare (🥶🥶) capabilities and the importance of alliances to protect the High North. Given recent global developments this has never been more important. I’ll be in Norway next week, not as a Minister but as a Royal Marines Reservist…. donning a green suit once more. See below this is what our Commando Force is all about…more to come. 👇

🚨 NEW: Angeliki Stogia is Labour's candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election

I have serious concerns about social media. If you’ve never heard of “The Com” , an online network of sadistic groups targeting children, you’ll understand exactly why when you do. This report from Sky News’ Adele Robinson covers the story extremely well: x.com/SkyNews/status…