Michael Foster MP

Michael Foster MP (Labour) former MP for Worcester.

Identity cards

Commenting on the re-introduction of the ID card Bill, Mr Foster said 25 May 2005

"ID cards are a popular policy, and one that Labour promised to deliver. I am delighted to see that commitment take place so early in the Parliament. An ID card scheme will help combat identity theft, illegal immigration and working, misuse of public services and organised crime and terrorism."
"Identity theft is a growing crime, costing the economy at least £1.3 billion a year and a secure ID card scheme will help put an end to this. Our borders will become easier to police by immigration officials with ID cards working, and they will put a stop to illegal working."
"ID cards will help ensure public services are used by those entitled to use them and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery. ID cards will also be a useful tool in disrupting the activities of organised criminals and terrorists by making the UK the most difficult place in the world for them to use false identities."
"Early this month we promised the people of Worcester a return of the ID Card Bill – today’s announcement by the Home Office show we mean business."

Mr Foster said on his website 17 May 2004

"It was important to let the Prime Minister know what the people of Worcester think about important future policies we are considering, such as ID Cards. I have had an overwhelming response to my survey, and the people of Worcester absolutely want to see a scheme introduced. This is what I told the Prime Minister."
"With nine out of ten people saying yes, it is a clear mandate for action. I have even had people approach me and ask to be volunteers to carry the ID card, such is the enthusiasm."
"I discussed my findings with the Prime Minister, who was keen to hear about what was happening in Worcester, and how my big conversation was going."
"I know there is some opposition to such schemes, usually from the same quarters, and I know that we have to ensure the new technology works – but I am convinced that the people of Worcester are comfortable with the idea of having an ID card, and their huge response is testimony to that."

Broadband

Mr Foster said on his website after [talks with senior BT staff to push for greater broadband access for Worcester residents 2 October 2002

"I made the case very strongly that the residents of St Johns were being unfairly discriminated against in terms of access to broadband. I was pleased with the outcome of this meeting – it was very productive, with BT keen to seek a solution to the problem."
"They made the point that the extra numbers of subscribers were needed for the St Johns area because of higher costs of installing the equipment and cabling. However, they do want to explore ways in which to take the issue forward."
"They would like to explore the possibility of other parties joining BT in helping to finance the installation of the necessary equipment, as happens in other parts of the country. With this in mind, the County Council, Chamber of Commerce and Regional Development Agency could all play a role in helping St Johns get this facility."
"I do not want to see Worcester divided in this way – with the west side disadvantaged compared to the rest of the City. I will continue to help Dr Gladman and others to achieve broadband access in St Johns, and expect BT to contact me in the very near future to give me more details of their plans."

Links

News

2005-05-25 - Michael Foster - Foster welcomes ID card Bill re-introduction
Author: Michael Foster MP
Summary: Michael Foster, MP for Worcester, has welcomed today’s announcement that the National Identity Card Bill is to be re-introduced by the Government. The Bill, which failed to become law when the election was called, was central to Labour’s election manifesto.
2004-06-23 - Michael Foster - Internet traffic boost for MP
Author: Michael Foster MP
Summary: Michael Foster, MP for Worcester, has today revealed a four-fold increase in visitors to his website over a two-year period. For the whole of 2002 he had 12,228 “hits” on his website – www.michaelfoster.co.uk. For the first four months this year, he has already had 11,600 hits. A month by month comparison reveals that April 2002 hits of 601 were surpassed by 2377 hits in April 2. Mr Foster said: "Having an internet presence is an important way of keeping my constituents informed of my work. It is also a great way of keeping up-to-date with what is going on in politics." "I’m delighted that more visitors are accessing my website and I hope that my constituents think it is an interesting site to visit. It enables constituents to see what I do 24 hours a day, 365 days a year." "Politics on the web is a growing area of interest, and I’m glad people in Worcester and further afield are looking at what my website offers."
2004-06-17 - Michael Foster - Foster tells Blair of City support for ID Cards
Author: Michael Foster MP
Summary: Michael Foster, MP for Worcester, met with Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to tell him about the levels of support for a National Identity Card shown by people in Worcester. Mr Foster discussed the matter with the Prime Minister in his office at Westminster. Mr Foster has received several thousand replies to his on-going survey as part of the Big Conversation with local people. Just over ninety per cent of respondents want to see a compulsory ID card, while a further six per cent want to see a voluntary card introduced.
2004-04-25 - Michael Foster - Nine out of ten City residents want ID card
Author: Michael Foster MP
Summary: A massive ninety per cent of Worcester residents want to see a compulsory National Identity Card scheme in operation, according to a survey conducted by Worcester MP Michael Foster. A further six per cent want to see a voluntary scheme introduced. Nearly one thousand electors in Worcester took part in the survey, which Mr Foster is continuing over the next few weeks.
2002-10-02 - Michael Foster - Foster in key broadband talks
Author: Michael Foster MP
Summary: Michael Foster, MP for Worcester, yesterday while at the Labour Party Conference, held talks with senior BT staff to push for greater broadband access for Worcester residents. Mr Foster held these talks after a constituent, Dr Brian Gladman, raised the matter with him at Mr Foster’s local surgery. Dr Gladman pointed out that residents served by the St Johns telephone exchange would have greater difficulty accessing broadband, compared to others in the City. Dr Gladman has launched a campaign to change the mind of BT on this issue
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