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Arlene Foster
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Arlene Isobel Foster, Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (née Kelly; born 17 July 1970),[2] is a British broadcaster and politician from Northern Ireland who is serving as Chair of Intertrade UK since September 2024. She previously served as First Minister of Northern Ireland from 2016 to 2017 and 2020 to 2021 and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) from 2015 to 2021. Foster was the first woman to hold either position. She is a Member of the House of Lords, having previously been a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Fermanagh and South Tyrone from 2003 to 2021.

Foster served in the Northern Ireland Executive as Minister of the Environment from 2007 to 2008, Minister for Enterprise and Investment from 2008 to 2015 and Minister for Finance and Personnel from 2015 to 2016. In December 2015, Foster was elected unopposed to succeed Peter Robinson as leader of the DUP. In January 2016, Foster became First Minister of Northern Ireland and shared power with Martin McGuinness.

McGuinness resigned as deputy First Minister in January 2017 amid the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal, which involved a green energy scheme that Foster set up during her time as Minister for Enterprise and Investment. The scheme was set to cost the taxpayer £490 million and there were allegations of corruption surrounding Foster's role in implementing the scheme. McGuinness asked Foster to step aside as First Minister while her involvement in the scheme was investigated, but she refused to step aside or resign and said that the voices calling for her resignation were those of "misogynists and male chauvinists".[3] Under the terms of the Northern Ireland power-sharing agreement, the First and deputy First Ministers are equal and, therefore, Foster could not remain in her post as First Minister and was subsequently removed from office. McGuinness's resignation caused a 2017 snap assembly election to be held, in which the DUP lost 10 seats. After no party received an outright majority in the 2017 general election, the DUP entered into an agreement with the Conservative Party to support Prime Minister Theresa May's government.[4] In January 2020, she became First Minister of Northern Ireland again after the executive was reinstated under the terms of the New Decade, New Approach agreement.

On 28 April 2021, after more than 20 DUP MLAs and four DUP MPs signed a letter "...voicing no confidence in her leadership", Foster announced that she would resign as party leader and as First Minister. She was succeeded by Edwin Poots as DUP leader on 28 May 2021.[5] Foster left office as First Minister on 14 June 2021[6] and was succeeded by Paul Givan as First Minister on 17 June 2021.[7] She resigned from the Northern Ireland Assembly in October 2021 and became a presenter on GB News.

In May 2024, it was confirmed that Foster would be appointed chairperson of Intertrade UK, a new body to promote trade within the UK which was announced as part of the UK government package to restore devolution.[8] She assumed the role on 19 September 2024.[9]

Background

[edit]

Arlene Kelly was born in Enniskillen[10] and was raised in the townland of Dernawilt, on the outskirts of Aghadrumsee. When she was aged nine, her family moved to live in the Castlebalfour Estate, a housing estate in nearby Lisnaskea, after an IRA attack on the family home at Dernawilt.[10][11] She is a member of the Church of Ireland.[12] Her experience with the Troubles began early in her life when a night-time attempt was made to kill her father, a Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) reservist, who was shot and severely injured at their family farm; the family was forced to leave the Roslea area,[13] moving to Lisnaskea instead.

As a teenager, Foster was on a school bus that was bombed by the IRA, the vehicle targeted because its driver was a soldier in the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR). A girl sitting near her was seriously injured.[14] She was a pupil at Enniskillen Collegiate Grammar School in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, from 1982 to 1989, and attended Queen's University Belfast (QUB), where she graduated with an LLB degree.[15] Her political career began at Queen's University Belfast when she joined the Queen's Unionist Association, part of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).[16] She served as the association's chair from 1992 to 1993.[17] At the 1991 annual conference of the UUP's youth wing, the Ulster Young Unionist Council (UYUC), during abortive talks between the constitutional political parties in Northern Ireland initiated by Secretary of State Peter Brooke, she seconded a motion opposing devolved government in Northern Ireland, instead calling for the province to be more closely integrated with the rest of the United Kingdom. The motion carried.[18] Following the 1993 local elections in Northern Ireland, she wrote a letter to Ulster Review, the current affairs magazine of the UYUC, expressing opposition to power-sharing arrangements with the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) on local councils where unionists had a majority, arguing that because the SDLP were a nationalist party who wanted to the see the "demise" of Northern Ireland who had "no desire to be full citizens of the United Kingdom" they "should therefore be denied the perks of this citizenship".[19] Having been born on the island of Ireland, Foster herself automatically qualifies for Irish citizenship.

After leaving Queen's University she remained active in the UUP, chairing its youth wing, the UYUC, in 1995. In 1996, she became an Honorary Secretary of the UUP's ruling body, the Ulster Unionist Council, a position which she held until her resignation from the UUP on 18 December 2003.[17] She was a councillor on Fermanagh District Council representing Enniskillen from 2005 to 2010.

Early Assembly and Executive career (2003–2016)

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She was elected as an Ulster Unionist in the 2003 Assembly elections. While a member of the UUP, she was part of a "rightwing cabal within the UUP known as the 'baby barristers'." They actively opposed party leader David Trimble, and were a "thorn in [his] side" after he supported the Belfast Agreement.[20]

In 2004, Foster resigned from the UUP and joined the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), together with fellow Assembly members Jeffrey Donaldson and Norah Beare.[21][22] She was selected as the DUP's candidate for Fermanagh and South Tyrone in the 2005 UK general election, where she gained 28.8% of the vote.[23]

Negotiations took place between the local branches of the DUP and UUP with the aim of finding an agreed unionist candidate. The negotiations broke down with neither party willing to accept the electoral dominance of the other; the UUP claiming Foster's defection to the DUP disguised the reality of the UUP's electoral strength, while the DUP pointed to the change in the unionist political landscape following the 2003 Assembly election and the 2004 European Parliament election. The UUP candidate was Tom Elliott. Foster finished second in the 2005 general election with 14,056 votes.[citation needed]

On 11 January 2010, she assumed the duties of the First Minister of Northern Ireland, as Peter Robinson stepped aside for a planned period of up to six weeks. Foster worked alongside the deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.[24] Robinson returned earlier than planned, on 3 February 2010.[25] She again became acting First Minister on 10 September 2015, following the resignation of Robinson and a majority of DUP ministers in the wake of the killing of Kevin McGuigan.[26] Robinson resumed his position as First Minister on 20 October 2015, following a government review into paramilitary activities in Northern Ireland.[27]

Minister for the Environment

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In September 2007, a privately financed proposal for a new Giant's Causeway centre was given preliminary approval by Foster in her role as Northern Ireland Environment Minister.[28] Immediately afterwards, the public money that had been allocated to the causeway development was frozen. The proposal resulted in a public row about the relationship between the private developer Seymour Sweeney and the DUP; Sweeney was a member of the DUP, although both he and the DUP denied that he had ever donated financially to the party.[29]

On 29 January 2008, Foster announced that she had decided against Sweeney's proposal for a £21 million visitors' centre on a protected greenfield site, reversing her earlier position of "being minded" to approve it.[30] Although the public funds for a causeway scheme remained frozen, it seemed highly likely that the publicly funded plan for the causeway would go ahead with the support of deputy DUP leader Nigel Dodds.[31]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment

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Foster as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in 2012.

A major concession for Northern Ireland was the reduction to zero of Air Passenger Duty on long-haul flights from the province. In the devolution settlement such burdens were to be born by the Assembly government. But negotiations proved how DUP could sell their support to Whitehall.[32] In 2011, she had written to the Organised Crime Task Force about the need to bring fuel licensing within the remit of the Petrol licensing Consolidation (NI) Act 1929, demonstrating the relevance of cross-border law enforcement jurisdiction in helping to reduce frauds.[33]

As the minister responsible for energy policy in June 2012, Foster criticised the Co-operative Group over the showing of a documentary opposing fracking, saying: "I find your claim that you take 'ethics to the next level' hard to reconcile with your demonstrable support for a film which presents a wholly one-sided and partial approach to the debate about hydraulic fracturing."[34]

She successfully liaised with UK ministers, such as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers MP, to restore HMS Caroline in Belfast.

In March 2014, Foster called for an apology for what she described as "deeply insulting" language" in a comment made by fellow MLA Anna Lo of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland. Lo had described herself as "anti-colonial" and said the partition of Ireland was "artificial".[35] Foster herself was challenged in a blog by Irish writer Jude Collins over the fact that she had chosen to speak out so robustly on the matter after not commenting about remarks made the previous day by another Unionist politician, Progressive Unionist Party leader Billy Hutchinson. The former UVF member who was responsible for two sectarian murders during The Troubles stated that he had "no regrets in terms of my past because I believe that I contributed to preventing a united Ireland." Hutchinson also stated: "There is no room for violence in this society."[36][37][better source needed]

First Minister of Northern Ireland (2016–17; 2020–21)

[edit]

In January 2016, as she was poised to become First Minister, Foster stated that she would not be travelling to Dublin for the official centenary celebrations of the 1916 uprising against British rule, describing the rising as "an attack on democracy".[38]

Arlene Foster was First Minister of Northern Ireland from January 2016 to January 2017. She set the agenda during her maiden speech as First Minister as one of "hope for all the community".[39] In May 2018, she announced she would be leading an Orange Order march in Fife, Scotland. As a committed member of the Order, this was a reason behind the original defection from the UUP ten years ago. As First Minister, Foster was emphatic in support for Brexit with a soft border along the republic; yet leaving the EU on the same terms as the rest of the UK.

The assembly was suspended following disagreements between the parties, particularly over the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal. While the Government talked about restoring the Executive as a "top priority" the constitutional impasse has made it impossible.[40] In May 2018, the High Court ruled that the civil service could not grant planning permission for an incinerator in Mallusk.[41]

In 2018, Foster addressed a PinkNews reception in Belfast, becoming the first DUP leader to attend an LGBT event.[42] Foster stated that, despite her opposition to same-sex marriage, she valued the contribution of the LGBT community in Northern Ireland and requested that differing views be respected.[42]

Committed to a business case, Foster was responsible for a super-fast broadband connection designed to enhance communications with international offerings. Regional Aid proved a vital part of the budget within the devolved framework. The reduction of sales and purchase taxes, such as Air Passenger Duty was typically part of her wider experience of stimulating business at DETI.[43] Fighting the cause of private enterprise has been an important issue for Foster: mobile phone companies and saving Bombardier jobs brought investment of £500 million, while public sector employment has declined.[44]

Renewable Heat Incentive scandal

[edit]
Main article: Renewable Heat Incentive scandal

In December 2016, Foster faced criticism and controversy after a whistleblower revealed that the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme overspent by £400m, a failure which has been nicknamed the Cash for Ash scandal.[45] The scheme was originally set up by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI, now Department for the Economy) when she was Minister of the department and the scheme offered incentives to businesses if they installed renewable heating systems, such as burning wooden pellets.

She faced strong criticism after it was claimed that she personally campaigned to keep the scheme open, even when senior civil servants warned of the overspend and the Minister responsible, Jonathan Bell, planned on closing it. It remained open for an extra two weeks before it was finally closed. It was also revealed that the Northern Ireland budget would lose £400m over the next 20 years as a result of the failure of the scheme. An independent audit investigated 300 sites and found there were issues at half of them, including 14 cases where there were suspicions of 'serious fraud'.

When senior civil servants suggested the closure of the scheme in September 2015, the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (now the Executive Office) pressured the department to keep the scheme open, which is when there was a spike in applications.[46] There were calls for Foster to resign as First Minister after the scandal broke.[47][48]

Northern Ireland political deadlock, 2017–2020

[edit]
Further information: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019
Foster and British Prime Minister Theresa May visit the headquarters of Belleek Pottery in 2018.

On 9 January 2017, McGuinness resigned as deputy First Minister due to the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal. Under the terms of the power-sharing agreement that created what is now the Executive Office, his resignation also resulted in Foster being removed from office, until Sinn Féin nominates a new deputy First Minister; the party stated that it would not replace McGuinness. No nomination was made before 16 January, resulting in the collapse of the Executive. James Brokenshire, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, assumed the powers of the Executive and called for a snap election scheduled for 2 March.[49]

In a statement posted to Facebook, Foster said that she was "disappointed" with McGuinness' decision and condemned it as "not principled": "At a time when we are dealing with Brexit, needing to create more jobs and investing in our health and education system, Northern Ireland needs stability. But because of Sinn Féin's selfish reactions, we now have instability, and I very much regret that." She expressed concern over the possibility of another election less than a year after the previous one, and said "this is not an election of our making", but that "the DUP will always defend unionism and stand up for what is best for Northern Ireland."[50]

In this Northern Ireland Assembly election, held in March 2017, the DUP lost 10 seats, leaving them only one seat and 1,200 votes ahead of Sinn Féin, a result described by the Belfast Telegraph as "catastrophic".[51] The withdrawal of the party whip from Jim Wells in May 2018 left the DUP on 27 seats, the same number as Sinn Féin.[52]

Since McGuinness' resignation, Northern Ireland was in a continuous state of political deadlock until January 2020. One of the key issues was the Irish Language Act, which Sinn Féin insist on and Foster has said that her party will never agree to. With regard to the proposed act, she said "If you feed a crocodile, it will keep coming back for more." This remark was widely cited during the 2017 Northern Ireland Assembly election even though Foster later apologised for it.[53][54]

On 11 January 2020, after the New Decade, New Approach agreement received bipartisan support, the Executive was re-formed with Arlene Foster as First Minister and Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill as deputy First Minister.[55]

2017 general election and Conservative-DUP agreement

[edit]
British Prime Minister Theresa May meets with Foster and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness in 2016.

In the 2017 UK general election, the DUP had 10 seats overall, 3 seats ahead of Sinn Féin.[56] With no party having received an outright majority in the UK Parliament, the DUP entered into a confidence and supply agreement to support the government led by the Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May.[4] A DUP source said: "The alternative is intolerable. For as long as Corbyn leads Labour, we will ensure there’s a Tory PM."[4] The DUP would later withdraw their support over new Prime Minister Boris Johnson's revised proposal for a deal with the EU.[57]

Brexit and its aftermath

[edit]

Following a Brexit breakthrough on 8 December 2017, Foster broadly welcomed the deal to progress talks, stating that she was "pleased" to see changes which meant there is "no red line down the Irish Sea".[58]

Both the border issue and opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion are 'red lines' for the eight Unionist MPs.[59] In May 2018, Theresa May stated that abortion is a matter for the devolved Northern Ireland government.[60] However, in 2019, Westminster MPs passed the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019. This legislation would legalise same-sex marriage and opposite-sex civil partnership in Northern Ireland (in line with the rest of the UK) and the liberalisation of abortion laws (in line with abortion rights in England and Wales) if no executive was formed by midnight on 21 October 2019.[61][62] After the Executive was not restored by the deadline, abortion was decriminalised automatically; in December 2019 the British Government passed regulations legalising same-sex marriage and opposite-sex civil partnerships on 13 January 2020.[63] On 25 March 2020, Northern Ireland published the changes to the abortion law.[64] This law permits elective abortions for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, since 31 March 2020.[65]

In February 2021, after Brexit had been formally consummated on 31 December 2020, Foster objected to its implicit Irish Sea border.[66][67] In a Daily Telegraph op-ed she maintained that the Northern Ireland Protocol (NIP) had "fundamental flaws" and suggested, in light of the COVID vaccine dispute, that in order to "protect the UK internal market by all legislative means necessary including triggering Article 16, Boris Johnson must now back up those words with tangible actions that protect the integrity of the whole of the United Kingdom."[68]

On 21 February 2021, Foster announced the launch of a judicial review of the NIP as she said it had driven "a coach and horses" through the Act of Union and the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which gives legislative effect to the Belfast Agreement. She takes the position that "Fundamental to the Act of Union is unfettered trade throughout the UK," and that the "new regulatory and customs processes required to bring goods into Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK" are inimical to the Act of Union. She is joined by various members of the DUP along with Kate Hoey, Jim Allister and Ben Habib. The threat of the EU to reinstitute a hard border if not for the customs barrier in the Irish Sea is a problem.[69] The group was joined by Nobel Peace Prize winner David Trimble on 24 February, as he wrote a scathing open letter to Boris Johnson prior to the commencement of proceedings. The group have instructed John Larkin QC, the former attorney general of Northern Ireland. Foster was part of discussions involving deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove and Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič.[70]

On 29 March 2021, the Johnson government decided not to force a preliminary hearing. A full court case for the Judicial Review was scheduled to be heard the week of 13 May 2021 in the High Court in Belfast.[71] The High Court ruled the Northern Ireland Protocol to be lawful.[72]

Resignation as First Minister and DUP leader

[edit]
Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris meets with First Minister Arlene Foster in March 2021.

On 27 April 2021, there was an internal revolt when 80% of DUP MPs and MLAs signed a vote of no confidence against Foster. Sources close to the party have said that the move was due to Foster becoming "too moderate", party supporters having "grown tired of leadership which is out of step", the most prominent point of discontent for unionist voters being "the emergence of an Irish Sea border" with the rest of the United Kingdom due to the Northern Ireland Protocol.[73] The next day, she announced her resignation as leader of the party, as well as planning to stand down as First Minister of Northern Ireland at the end of June.[74] The following day, Foster announced her resignation in a statement on social media. In the statement she said that she had informed Maurice Morrow, the party Chairman, and Michelle O'Neill of her decision.[75]

Jeffrey Donaldson MP and Edwin Poots MLA stood in an election to replace Foster as Leader of the DUP. On 14 May 2021, Poots was elected as her successor as DUP leader. Poots succeeded Foster as DUP leader on 28 May 2021. Foster resigned as First Minister at 1pm on 14 June 2021[6] and Paul Givan succeeded Foster as First Minister on 17 June 2021.[7] In addition to quitting as First Minister, it was initially rumoured that Foster would quit the DUP as a result of her ousting; however, she remained a party member.[76][77]

On 7 September 2021, it was announced that Foster was to stand down as an MLA, which she did the following month.[78] According to Sam McBride of the Belfast Telegraph, her term as First Minister was "diastrous" to unionism, which she left "in a sorry state when finally driven out" of office.[79]

Post-premiership (2021–present)

[edit]

Since leaving political office she has embarked on a media career in both broadcast and print media.

On 25 July 2021, Foster was announced as a contributor to the British news channel, GB News.[80] On 15 October 2021, she began to anchor her own show called The Briefing with Arlene Foster on Fridays. She also regularly appears on GB News' Sunday political magazine show The Political Correction.

On 7 October 2021, it was announced that Foster has joined the monthly Local Women magazine as a columnist.[81]

In August 2022, Foster endorsed Liz Truss in the Conservative Party leadership election as the best potential Prime Minister to counter “threats to the Union”.[82]

She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2022 Birthday Honours for political and public service.[83]

On 14 October 2022, it was announced that Foster would be appointed to the House of Lords, sitting as a non-affiliated peer.[84] On 9 November 2022, she was created Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee, of Aghadrumsee in the County of Fermanagh.[85]

In November 2022, a video in which a woman shouted a pro-IRA chant while posing alongside Foster was condemned by politicians from the DUP, UUP, Alliance Party and SDLP, with Sinn Féin Vice President Michelle O'Neill saying it was "wrong".[86]

Amanda Sloat, a special assistant to United States President Joe Biden, hit back in April 2023 at claims made by Foster that Biden "hates the United Kingdom".[87]

In May 2023, Foster said she believed the DUP could enter into a coalition with the Labour Party after the general election.[88]

On 11 July 2023, Foster gave evidence to the UK-wide COVID-19 inquiry. She used the platform to state that the UK government should have stepped in to make decisions in the absence of ministers at Stormont.[89] Foster reappeared in front of the inquiry on 15 May 2024 and rejected suggestions that the Northern Ireland Executive "sleepwalked" into the pandemic.[90]

On 31 January 2024, Foster stated she hoped the deal to restore power-sharing at Stormont would be acceptable to unionists.[91]

During a visit to Jersey with her pro-unionist organisation Together UK in May 2024, Foster dismissed the prospect of a united Ireland saying "there are nowhere near enough people to take us out of the United Kingdom".[92]

In May 2024, it was confirmed that Foster would be appointed chairperson of Intertrade UK, a new body to promote trade within the UK which was announced as part of the UK government package to restore devolution.[8] She assumed the role on 19 September 2024.[9]

On 2 July 2024, Foster slammed the Alliance Party for "extreme ideology" in a criticism of "progressive parties" ahead of the 2024 United Kingdom general election.[93]

In response to the 2024 United Kingdom riots in Northern Ireland, Foster rejected what she called the "labelling" of some white working-class people in Belfast "as Nazis".[94]

Foster suggested in August 2024 that Members of Parliament (MPs) should be paid more, saying that while their £91,346 salary is very good, "it's not huge".[95]

In October 2024, it was reported that Foster has been advertising herself for hire through a public speaking agency as a renewable energy expert at a cost of more than £10,000 a day despite her involvement in the RHI scandal.[96]

Speaking to Michael Gove on a Radio 4 podcast in October 2024, Foster confirmed that a row over conversion therapy was the "straw that broke the camel's back", when it came to her being ousted as leader of the DUP. She had abstained on a vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly calling for a ban on gay conversion therapy while the majority of her party voted against the motion.[97] Foster also branded the decision to rule out a border on the island of Ireland during Brexit negotiations a "mistake".[98]

In January 2025, Foster was one of seven MPs and peers from Northern Ireland, along with more than 160 other parliamentarians, to call for the England men's cricket team to boycott a match against Afghanistan due to the Taliban regime's oppression of women.[99]

Foster chaired her first meeting of Intertrade UK on 28 February 2025.[100]

Personal life

[edit]

Arlene Foster has three children with her husband Brian, the oldest is named Stephen Blee.[101] In 2008, she was recognised as Assembly member of the year at the Women in Public Life Awards.[102] She and her family live on the outskirts of Brookeborough, a village in the east of County Fermanagh.[11][103]

In 2020, Foster successfully sued TV doctor Christian Jessen for defamation over his claim of a relationship with a protection officer.[104] Jessen, a presenter on the Channel 4 show Embarrassing Bodies, with over 300,000 Twitter followers, sent a first tweet on 23 December 2019, which was retweeted over 500 times and subsequently sent further "aggravating" tweets.[105][106] On 27 May 2021, Mr Justice McAlinden ordered Dr Jessen to pay damages of £125,000 and Foster's legal costs.[107]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Arlene Foster

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from Grokipedia

Arlene Isobel Foster, Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee DBE PC (born 1970), is a unionist politician who served as leader of the (DUP) from December 2015 to May 2021. She was appointed of on 11 January 2016, becoming the first woman and youngest person to hold the office, and served until January 2017 before being reappointed from January 2020 to June 2021. Foster's tenure as DUP leader and First Minister was marked by her advocacy for Northern Ireland's place within the , including negotiating the DUP's confidence-and-supply agreement with the Conservative following the 2017 general election, which provided legislative support in exchange for increased funding for Northern Ireland. She played a pivotal role in restoring devolved through the New Decade, New Approach agreement in January 2020, ending a three-year political at Stormont. Her leadership also encompassed contentious issues, such as the , which contributed to the collapse of the power-sharing executive in 2017 when her deputy resigned in protest. Foster resigned amid internal party pressures over Brexit-related protocols and unionist concerns, subsequently being elevated to the as a .

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Upbringing

Arlene Foster, born Arlene Kelly on 3 July 1970 near Rosslea in rural , , grew up in a Protestant farming family amid the sectarian tensions of . Her father, John Kelly, operated the family farm while serving as a part-time reserve officer in the Royal Ulster Constabulary, a role that exposed the household to targeted republican violence. In November 1979, when Foster was nine years old, two IRA gunmen ambushed and shot him in the head at their home; he survived after emergency surgery but the attack underscored the precarious security of unionist families in border areas. Her mother, Georgina Kelly, had roots in Belfast's predominantly Protestant district. Foster's upbringing on the isolated farm involved typical rural Protestant life—agricultural labor, community ties, and vigilance against threats—but was repeatedly disrupted by IRA actions, including a 1984 bomb explosion on her near Augher, which she boarded minutes after the blast but which killed three others. These incidents, occurring in a with high IRA activity, instilled early awareness of existential risks to unionist identity and prompted family relocation for safety, shaping her formative experiences in a context of causal vulnerability to asymmetric republican aggression rather than abstract communal strife.

Education and Formative Experiences

Foster attended Collegiate Grammar School for Girls, where she excelled in subjects including , , and history. Upon leaving secondary school, she became the first member of her family to attend university, enrolling to study law at , from which she graduated in 1993. During her time at Queen's, Foster first engaged in political activity, joining the (UUP) in her early days as a student, an experience that marked the beginning of her involvement in unionist politics. Following her undergraduate degree, she completed the postgraduate diploma in legal practice at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies in 1996, qualifying as a solicitor. She subsequently practiced law in private firms in and , , gaining professional experience that informed her later political career in areas such as enterprise and regulation.

Entry into Politics

Initial Involvement and DUP Affiliation

Foster became involved in unionist during her teenage years, motivated by the violence of in her native . At the age of 17, following a (PIRA) attack on her , she began engaging in political activities, reflecting a broader pattern among border Protestants radicalized by republican paramilitary threats. While studying law at in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Foster joined the (UUP), rising to become chairwoman of its youth wing, the Young Unionists. This early role positioned her as a promising figure within moderate unionism, though her views hardened against concessions to . She qualified as a solicitor in 1994 and practiced law until entering elected politics, maintaining her UUP membership amid growing dissatisfaction with the party's direction under leader . Foster's affiliation shifted decisively in 2004, when she defected from the UUP to the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) shortly after her 2003 election as Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Fermanagh and South Tyrone under the UUP banner. The switch was driven by her vehement opposition to Trimble's leadership, particularly his endorsement of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and its provisions for early prisoner releases and power-sharing with Sinn Féin, which she viewed as insufficiently protective of unionist interests. The DUP, under Ian Paisley, offered a firmer stance on maintaining Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom without compromising on security or decommissioning, aligning with Foster's border-region experiences and skepticism toward IRA-linked parties. This move integrated her into the DUP's more robust electoral machine, paving the way for her rapid ascent within the party.

Impact of IRA Violence on Political Outlook

Foster's father, John Kelly, a part-time Royal Ulster Constabulary reserve officer, was shot in the head by two (IRA) gunmen at the family farm in Rosslea, , on 24 June 1979; Foster, then aged eight, witnessed the aftermath as her father crawled into the kitchen bleeding heavily, an event that introduced her to the realities of . Kelly survived the attack, which Foster later attributed to IRA member McElwaine based on intelligence provided to her. This incident, occurring amid heightened in where over 100 were killed between 1970 and 1998, profoundly affected her family, forcing them to relocate temporarily for safety and instilling a deep-seated awareness of republican threats to unionist communities. Nine years later, on 23 March 1988, Foster, then 16 and a passenger on a driven by a part-time soldier, survived an IRA bomb explosion near Augher, ; the device detonated under the vehicle, injuring several but killing none, though Foster described the blast's proximity as potentially fatal had timing differed. These direct encounters with IRA targeting of security force personnel and civilians reinforced her perception of the organization as a terrorist entity responsible for systematic violence against Protestants and unionists, contributing to the deaths of approximately 1,800 during the conflict. The cumulative trauma from these events catalyzed Foster's transition from apolitical childhood to committed unionism, as she later recounted that her father's shooting "entered my consciousness" about Northern Ireland's existential threats, prompting her to join the (DUP) in 1984 while studying law at . This personal victimization underscored a causal link between IRA campaigns and the erosion of Protestant confidence in British governance, fostering her advocacy for robust security measures and opposition to concessions perceived as rewarding terrorism, such as early prisoner releases under the 1998 . In her political career, these experiences manifested in a firm stance against IRA glorification and reluctance toward power-sharing with Sinn Féin figures like Martin McGuinness, whom she viewed as unrepentant amid tributes to attackers like McElwaine; Foster emphasized that victim perspectives, informed by empirical suffering rather than abstract reconciliation narratives, must anchor any to prevent recurrence of violence that claimed 3,500 lives overall. Her outlook prioritized causal accountability—linking republican ideology directly to atrocities—over politically expedient amnesia, shaping DUP policies on legacy issues and border security post-Brexit.

Assembly and Ministerial Career (2003–2016)

Election as MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone

Arlene Foster was elected as a (MLA) for and South Tyrone in the election on 26 November 2003, standing as a candidate for the (UUP). The constituency, a six-seat area using the system, featured competition among unionist, nationalist, and other parties amid the Assembly's suspension since 2002. Foster, then aged 33 and having served as a District councillor since 2001, secured 4,938 first-preference votes, placing her fourth initially behind 's (6,489), UUP's Tom Elliott (6,181), and DUP's (5,536). Through subsequent counts and transfers, she reached the quota of 6,595 votes on the fourth count with 6,599 votes, ensuring her election alongside Elliott (UUP), (Sinn Féin), Tommy Gallagher (SDLP), and (DUP). The UUP secured two seats in the constituency, reflecting its competitive unionist landscape where the party polled strongly but faced challenges from the rising DUP. Foster's success marked her entry into devolved politics at level, building on her experience and amid broader unionist divisions over the . Weeks after the election, Foster defected to the (DUP), citing disagreements with UUP leadership on issues including power-sharing arrangements. She retained her seat and continued representing and South Tyrone under the DUP banner in subsequent elections, including strong performances in 2007 where she topped the poll with 7,138 first-preference votes.

Minister for the Environment (2008–2010)

Foster assumed the role of Minister for the Environment in the on 8 May 2007, following the restoration of devolution, and held the position until a departmental reshuffle on 9 June 2008, after which she transitioned to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. During her tenure, which overlapped into early 2008, she prioritized policies balancing with and rural interests, reflecting the Democratic Unionist Party's emphasis on practical over stringent regulation. Her department managed areas including , heritage, and control, amid ongoing post-conflict recovery and pressures from agricultural and sectors. A significant decision in May 2008 was Foster's rejection of proposals for an independent Environmental Protection Agency, which had been recommended to enhance regulatory autonomy and enforcement against polluters. Instead, she opted to rebrand the existing Environment and Heritage Service within the Department of the Environment as the (NIEA), launched in July 2008, maintaining direct governmental oversight to avoid what she viewed as unnecessary that could hinder business and farming. This move drew criticism from environmental advocacy groups, who argued it perpetuated weaker enforcement due to political influences on the agency, as evidenced by later reports on persistent issues. Proponents, including farming representatives, welcomed the approach for streamlining operations without adding layers of external scrutiny. In planning policy, Foster advanced draft guidance on wind energy development in February 2008, seeking to facilitate renewable projects while addressing landscape and community concerns, aligning with broader targets for . She also upheld Planning Policy Statement 14 (PPS 14), introduced in 2006 and reissued under her watch, which restricted unsustainable development in rural areas to preserve countryside character, though it sparked debates in over exemptions for essential rural housing and farm diversification. In April 2008, she expanded eligibility for risk management funding, making an additional 1,000 properties eligible for defenses following winter , emphasizing proactive infrastructure investment. Foster publicly urged cross-departmental action on in 2008, highlighting Northern Ireland's vulnerabilities such as and impacts, though her department's initiatives remained modest compared to regulatory reforms elsewhere in the UK. Her tenure coincided with efforts to integrate environmental considerations into heritage preservation, including collaboration on regeneration projects praised for linking with economic revitalization. Overall, her policies favored integration over isolation of environmental goals, prioritizing evidence-based decisions that supported devolved governance stability.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment (2011–2016)

Arlene Foster continued as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) after the formation of the Northern Ireland Executive on 16 May 2011, following the DUP's success in the assembly election. In this role, she oversaw policies aimed at boosting economic growth, foreign direct investment, and energy diversification in Northern Ireland. A major initiative under Foster was the launch of the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme on 19 November 2012, designed to subsidize businesses switching from fossil fuels to renewable heating systems like biomass boilers. The program, allocated £25 million for 2011–2015, lacked initial cost controls or caps on payments, resulting in slow early uptake but eventual rapid expansion that projected overspends exceeding £700 million by 2016. A domestic RHI variant followed in late 2014 to extend incentives to households. Foster's department modeled the scheme partly on Great Britain's version but opted against incorporating its amendments for tighter controls. Foster promoted foreign direct investment, highlighting in July 2013 a UK Trade & Investment report that recorded an 11% rise in overseas investments over the prior year, supporting 60,000 jobs. Through Invest Northern Ireland, her tenure facilitated economic returns where each £1 invested yielded nearly £6 in broader benefits by 2016. She also backed tourism growth, securing executive funding in 2011 for the 2012 Irish Open golf tournament at Portrush to attract international visitors, and advocated for a reduced VAT rate on tourism to enhance competitiveness. On energy exploration, Foster supported unconventional onshore petroleum licensing, granting permits in for shale gas assessment, including areas in where prior fracking had occurred in the 1960s. However, assembly opposition led to a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, and some licenses, like Tamboran's, were terminated in September 2014 for failing deadlines. Foster maintained the potential economic benefits of such resources while navigating environmental and local concerns. Foster held the DETI portfolio until 11 January 2016, when she succeeded Peter Robinson as . Her period emphasized rebalancing the economy toward export-led growth amid post-recession recovery, though critiques later focused on RHI's unchecked expansion under her oversight.

DUP Leadership and First Ministership (2015–2021)

Ascension to DUP Leadership and First Term (2015–2017)

Peter Robinson announced his intention to resign as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and First Minister of Northern Ireland on November 19, 2015, following the negotiation of the Fresh Start Agreement earlier that month, which resolved outstanding issues on , paramilitary activity, and . As DUP Finance Minister, Foster had contributed significantly to the agreement's financial provisions, positioning her as the frontrunner for succession. Foster was formally elected as DUP leader on December 17, 2015, unopposed after other potential candidates withdrew their nominations, marking her as the party's first female leader. Robinson remained in office until January 11, 2016, when Foster succeeded him as First Minister, becoming the first woman and the youngest person to hold the position at age 45. The power-sharing executive continued with Sinn Féin leader Martin McGuinness as deputy First Minister, operating under the framework of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. In the Northern Ireland Assembly election held on May 5, 2016, the DUP secured 38 seats, retaining its status as the largest party despite a slight decline in vote share from 2011. This result affirmed Foster's leadership and enabled the DUP to nominate her for continued tenure as , with the executive focusing on implementation of the Fresh Start Agreement's commitments, including strategies to address groups. Throughout 2016, Foster emphasized and unionist priorities, though emerging concerns over the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme began to surface toward the end of her initial term. The executive operated without major collapse until January 2017, when withdrew support amid disputes.

Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme and Public Inquiry

The Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme was launched in on 28 November 2012 by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI), with Arlene Foster serving as minister responsible for its introduction. The initiative aimed to promote renewable heating technologies, such as boilers, by providing participants with 20-year tariff payments covering fuel costs and offering a premium incentive, mirroring a similar UK-wide scheme but implemented separately for . Unlike the version, which included cost-control mechanisms like tiered tariffs and budget caps, the scheme lacked such safeguards, resulting in payments exceeding actual fuel costs and incentivizing excessive usage—derisively termed "burn to earn." By late 2015, DETI officials identified a looming budget crisis, with projected lifetime costs escalating from an initial annual forecast of £25 million to over £700 million due to unchecked uptake and absence of controls; warnings were escalated to Foster, who had approved the uncapped model despite advice to align with Great Britain's tiering provisions. The scheme was suspended to new applicants on 29 2016 amid public outcry, but the intensified in December 2016 when Foster, by then , opposed early closure efforts and faced accusations of personal oversight in delaying reforms, prompting opposition calls for her resignation. The controversy contributed to the collapse of the in January 2017, with estimated taxpayer liabilities cited variably at up to £490 million before interventions, though subsequent closure and compensation arrangements were projected at £196 million over 10 years as of 2025. A , chaired by retired judge Sir Patrick Coghlin, was established in to examine the scheme's design, operation, and failings, culminating in a published on 13 March 2020. The inquiry found no evidence of or deliberate misconduct driving the debacle, attributing it instead to systemic errors, poor , complacency, and a "multiplicity of omissions" within DETI, including inadequate and failure to act on early budget overrun signals. Foster was criticized for championing the scheme without sufficient scrutiny of its flaws, signing ministerial directions that bypassed cost controls, and not demonstrating urgency in response to alerts, though the did not hold her personally culpable for the outcomes and noted her reliance on departmental advice. Special advisers and senior officials faced harsher rebuke for influencing decisions and suppressing documentation, exacerbating accountability gaps. In response to the findings, Foster expressed "deep personal regret" for the scheme's failings during a 16 March 2020 Northern Ireland Assembly statement, apologizing to affected parties and committing to implement the inquiry's 40 recommendations on and policy-making transparency. She defended her actions as rooted in promoting economic benefits from renewables but acknowledged lessons in ministerial oversight, rejecting claims of willful while emphasizing the inquiry's clearance of corrupt intent. The episode underscored broader institutional weaknesses in devolved administration, with highlighting how political priorities and siloed decision-making amplified fiscal risks absent robust controls.

2017 UK General Election and Conservative Confidence-and-Supply Agreement

In the held on 8 June, the (DUP), under Arlene Foster's leadership, increased its representation from 8 to 10 seats in the , securing 36.1% of the vote in and emerging as the region's largest party by seats. This gain positioned the DUP as a potential after the Conservative Party, led by , won 317 seats—13 short of an outright majority—amid a called to strengthen her negotiating position but resulting in a . Foster, as DUP leader, immediately signaled willingness to engage, stating on 9 June that her party would enter talks with the Conservatives "to explore how it may be possible to bring stability to our nation." Negotiations between Foster and May culminated in a -and-supply agreement announced on 26 June 2017, under which the DUP committed to supporting the Conservative government on legislative votes of , supply (budgets), and select other matters such as and Brexit-related legislation, without joining the government or guaranteeing support on all issues. The deal included a financial package of approximately £1 billion over two years for , earmarked for service improvements (£200 million), infrastructure projects like the A5 and A6 roads (£1 billion total commitment including prior pledges), and support, alongside guarantees to maintain the triple-lock mechanism linking 's to changes in Great Britain's spending. Foster emphasized the agreement's role in safeguarding 's place in the and advancing unionist priorities, including opposition to a hard Irish border post-Brexit. The arrangement enabled May to form a , with the DUP's 10 MPs providing the necessary parliamentary arithmetic for stability on core votes until its eventual unraveling in 2019. Critics, including opposition parties, highlighted potential risks to cross-community balance in due to the DUP's exclusively unionist stance and the financial incentives, though Foster defended it as a pragmatic response to the election outcome that delivered tangible benefits without compromising principles. The agreement's terms were formalized in a public document signed by Foster and May, underscoring the DUP's influence on Westminster policy during a period of domestic and Brexit-related turbulence.

Executive Collapse and Political Deadlock (2017–2020)

The Northern Ireland Executive collapsed on 16 January 2017, following the resignation of Sinn Féin deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on 9 January, who cited the ongoing Renewable Heat Incentive scandal—overseen during Arlene Foster's tenure as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment—as a key factor, alongside demands for her to step aside temporarily. Under the Good Friday Agreement's power-sharing rules, McGuinness's resignation automatically vacated the First Minister position held by Foster, halting the Executive's operations and leaving Northern Ireland without a devolved government for the first time since 2007. Foster refused to resign, arguing that Sinn Féin's move was a pretext to force broader cultural concessions, including an Irish Language Act, rather than solely addressing RHI governance failures. A to the was held on 2 March 2017, in which the (DUP), led by Foster, secured 28 seats—retaining its status as the largest party but losing 10 seats amid voter backlash over RHI—while gained ground with 27 seats, narrowing the gap and strengthening its leverage in subsequent talks. Caretaker ministers, including those from the DUP, continued limited functions under oversight, but without full legislative or budgetary powers, leading to policy inertia on issues like health waiting lists and infrastructure. Foster, as DUP leader, participated in intermittent negotiations mediated by the government, emphasizing fiscal safeguards and opposition to standalone legislation, which she viewed as a nationalist priority unrelated to RHI accountability. The deadlock persisted through multiple failed rounds of talks, exacerbated by disputes over legacy issues from , welfare reforms, and cultural symbols; a pivotal breakdown occurred in February 2018 when Foster rejected a draft deal, famously stating there would be "not one penny" for an Irish Language Act without parallel advances for Ulster Scots and unionist concerns. This impasse, lasting 1,085 days, drew criticism from business leaders and international observers for paralyzing decision-making, with civil servants handling routine administration but unable to address emerging crises like Brexit's border implications. Foster defended the DUP's stance as protecting unionist interests against Sinn Féin's "maximalist" demands, while attributing prolonged stasis to the latter's unwillingness to compromise on post-RHI reforms. Restoration efforts intensified in late 2019 amid uncertainties and impending public health threats, culminating in the "New Decade, New Approach" agreement on 8 January 2020, backed by £2.5 billion in UK funding commitments to incentivize cooperation. Foster was re-nominated as on 10 January 2020, with Sinn Féin's as deputy, restoring the Executive under terms that deferred full legislation to future cross-party review while establishing independent fiscal oversight. The deal addressed RHI-related inquiries but highlighted underlying tensions, as Foster stressed the need for "mutual respect" to prevent recurrence, amid unionist skepticism of the concessions.

Restoration of the Executive and Second Term (2020–2021)

Following the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive in January 2017, protracted negotiations between the (DUP) and stalled over issues including legislation and welfare reforms. On January 8, 2020, the and Irish governments published the "New Decade, New Approach" agreement, which outlined £2.5 billion in additional funding for public services, commitments to address health waiting lists exceeding 300,000 cases, education budget stabilization, and infrastructure projects like City Deals for and Derry/Londonderry, alongside mechanisms to prevent future collapses such as mandatory executive formation timelines. The DUP and endorsed the deal, enabling the to be recalled on January 11, 2020, after nearly three years of suspension. Arlene Foster was reappointed as , with 's as deputy first minister, restoring power-sharing under the framework. Foster commended the Civil Service for managing devolved functions during the impasse and prioritized securing long-term UK government funding commitments. Early actions included the January 14, 2020, announcement of restored pay parity for health workers, addressing disparities that had persisted since 2015 and aiming to bolster recruitment amid staffing shortages. The Executive's programme emphasized tackling NHS pressures, with targets to reduce elective care backlogs through increased capital investment, alongside justice reforms like enhanced victim support and housing initiatives to mitigate welfare payment gaps estimated at £500 million. Foster met UK on January 13 to advance these, stressing economic recovery and infrastructure to leverage post-impasse stability. The second term was rapidly dominated by the , with recording its first cases in late 2020. Foster and O'Neill issued joint statements urging public compliance, leading to Executive-approved regulations on March 28, 2020, granting ministers powers for closures, , and border controls to curb transmission rates that peaked at over 400 daily cases by April. The administration oversaw a phased from March 23, including school closures affecting 300,000 pupils and business restrictions impacting £20 billion in annual turnover, while securing £500 million in emergency funding for health and economic support. Foster advocated cross-community unity in daily briefings, rejecting later claims of inadequate preparation and emphasizing data-driven decisions amid over 3,000 deaths by mid-2021. rollout began in 2020, prioritizing over-80s and care home residents, with Foster highlighting the Executive's role in achieving 70% adult first-dose coverage by summer 2021 despite supply constraints.

Brexit Negotiations and the Northern Ireland Protocol

As leader of the (DUP) and First Minister of , Arlene Foster played a pivotal role in shaping the 's concerning , leveraging the DUP's confidence-and-supply agreement with 's Conservative government following the 2017 . The DUP insisted on avoiding any regulatory or customs in the , arguing it would undermine 's constitutional position within the . In October 2018, Foster stated that the party "cannot have either a customs border or a regulatory border down the ," emphasizing that such arrangements would separate from the rest of the internal market. Foster's opposition extended to the proposed in May's Withdrawal Agreement, which she described as "toxic" in February 2019, indicating the DUP would support a revised deal without it. The party withheld support for May's deal in March 2019, citing its potential to "damage the union." In September 2019, amid reports of potential DUP concessions, Foster dismissed softening on the backstop, maintaining firm resistance during Boris Johnson's negotiations. The DUP ultimately backed Johnson's October 2019 revised Withdrawal Agreement, which replaced the backstop with the , viewing it as a step toward eliminating time-limited regulatory alignment with the while preserving internal market integrity. Implementation of the Protocol after the UK's full departure from the on 31 2020 revealed practical challenges, including customs checks on goods moving from to to prevent illegal onward shipment to the . Foster criticized these arrangements, warning in February 2021 that she would "keep the pressure" on Johnson to scrap the Protocol entirely. By March 2021, she described the Protocol as inflicting "untold damage" on 's and social fabric. In May 2021, Foster argued that the Protocol was "narrowing common ground" between unionists and nationalists, thereby damaging the Union. Foster also highlighted a growing unionist consensus against the Protocol, noting in February 2021 a "coming together of unionism" to oppose its effects, such as the application of in without reciprocal democratic oversight. She accused the Irish government of ignoring unionist concerns and positioned as not being the 's "plaything" in September 2020. Despite a December 2020 UK-EU agreement easing some checks, Foster urged caution pending full details, underscoring ongoing DUP demands for alternatives that avoided diverging from the UK's economic framework. Her advocacy reflected broader unionist priorities, prioritizing constitutional integrity over expedited trade adjustments, though critics from nationalist perspectives contended the Protocol safeguarded the Agreement's open border.

Resignation as DUP Leader and First Minister (2021)

On 28 April 2021, Arlene Foster announced her intention to resign as leader of the (DUP), effective 28 May 2021, following an internal party revolt that included a letter of no confidence signed by approximately 80% of the party's elected representatives, comprising Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). The revolt stemmed primarily from dissatisfaction among DUP grassroots and elected members over Foster's handling of , particularly the , which imposed trade checks on goods moving from to , creating what unionists viewed as an effective sea border that undermined the Union's integrity. Foster had initially supported the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement in December 2020 to avoid a no-deal Brexit but subsequently criticized the protocol's implementation for failing to deliver on promises of unfettered access, exacerbating party divisions as members accused her of insufficient opposition to the arrangements agreed under the Conservative government's confidence-and-supply deal with the DUP. In her statement, Foster cited the need for "new " to confront ongoing challenges, including the protocol's fallout and internal party "toxicity," while denying that the decision was solely due to the no-confidence letter, though she acknowledged broader strains from years of political deadlock and policy disputes, such as lingering effects from the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) inquiry. She simultaneously declared her plan to step down as of by the end of June 2021, a role tied to DUP under the power-sharing executive restored in January 2020, emphasizing that her departure should not destabilize the institutions amid threats of collapse from protocol-related protests and unionist unrest. The announcement preempted a potential formal challenge, as rumors of the no-confidence letter had circulated since 27 April, highlighting fractures within the party over strategy toward and the UK government. A DUP leadership contest ensued, with elected as her successor on 25 May 2021 after securing 97.5% of votes from party officers and elected representatives, positioning him to assume the party helm on 1 June and nominate a replacement . Foster continued in her roles temporarily to ensure continuity, but Poots's subsequent after just 20 days in office on 17 June 2021—amid further internal DUP infighting—delayed the executive transition. She formally resigned as on 14 June 2021, nominating as interim replacement pending agreement with deputy Michelle O'Neill of , averting an immediate executive collapse under the Agreement's requirements but underscoring the DUP's ongoing instability. Her exit marked the end of a tenure that had sustained unionist influence through the 2017 confidence-and-supply arrangement but faltered amid perceptions of concessions on sovereignty issues central to DUP ideology.

Peerage and Subsequent Roles (2021–Present)

Appointment as Life Peer and House of Lords Activities

On 14 October 2022, nominated Dame Arlene Foster for a age in the 2022 Political Peerages list, creating her as Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee, of Aghadrumsee in the County of Fermanagh, as a non-affiliated member of the . This nomination recognized her prior service as First Minister of and DUP leader, with the leadership expressing that she would serve as a strong voice for in the upper chamber. Foster took her seat in the on 24 November 2022. As a non-affiliated peer, Foster has engaged in debates on matters pertinent to her background, including policy, unionist concerns, and . She has advocated for the interests of , participating in a delegation to the in February 2025 organized by the Friends of the . In economic discussions, she has endorsed enhanced transatlantic trade post-Brexit, supporting a potential US-UK during events tied to her parliamentary role. Foster has contributed to social and ethical debates, speaking against expansive conversion therapy prohibitions by citing restrictive legislation in Victoria, Australia, during a February 2024 Lords discussion. She addressed Christian persecution globally in March 2024 statements to the House. More recently, in April 2025, she intervened in the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill debate, and in October 2025, she posed parliamentary questions critiquing proposals for abortion up to birth. Her voting record includes participation in 78 divisions as of recent records, reflecting independent stances occasionally diverging from conservative majorities despite her unionist heritage. These activities underscore her focus on issues, religious freedoms, and conservative social policies within the unelected chamber.

Establishment of Together UK Foundation

The Together UK Foundation was established by Arlene Foster in 2022 to advocate for the preservation of the union by highlighting its economic and social benefits amid rising separatist pressures. The organization formally launched on 5 September 2022 in as a not-for-profit, non-party political entity, with an initial all-female board of trustees that included Foster alongside Sheila Davidson and Melanie Hampton, later expanded to incorporate Prof. Cedric Bell. Foster, who positioned herself as a key driver of the foundation, emphasized its role in fostering "a positive, rational case for maintaining [the Union]" rather than engaging in adversarial attacks, aiming to amplify mainstream pro-Union perspectives in debates she described as "increasingly emotional and angry." The foundation's mission focuses on delivering informed, fact-based analysis across UK-wide issues such as financial stability, National Health Service sustainability, equitable education, and climate adaptation, while commissioning research and engaging public input for pragmatic policy proposals. Patrons at inception included Lady Jane Grosvenor and Jeff Edwards MBE, underscoring early support from figures aligned with Unionist interests. As a board member, Foster contributed her experience from Northern Irish politics, where she had long championed Unionism, to steer the foundation toward cross-cultural and non-partisan advocacy, explicitly avoiding alignment with specific political parties. This initiative followed her resignation from the leadership in , reflecting a shift to broader UK-focused endeavors outside formal party structures.

Chairmanship of Intertrade UK and Media Engagements

In May 2024, Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee was announced as the prospective chairperson of Intertrade UK, a government-backed body established to promote internal trade across the , with a particular emphasis on facilitating commerce between and . This initiative stemmed from recommendations in the Government's Safeguarding the Union command paper, aimed at bolstering the internal market amid post-Brexit challenges. Her formal appointment was confirmed on 19 September 2024 by Secretary , who highlighted Foster's experience in Northern Irish politics and business as assets for driving . Intertrade UK commenced operations in early 2025, with Foster actively promoting its mandate to enhance and reduce trade barriers within the . On 28 2025, she publicly endorsed the organization's role in implementing the Safeguarding the Union framework, stating it would prioritize strengthening the 's internal market to counter external regulatory divergences. The body operates independently but aligns with broader efforts to monitor and mitigate protocol-related disruptions, including through collaboration with an Independent Monitoring Panel. Critics, including the SDLP, have questioned the appointment's transparency, noting its origins in DUP-specific negotiations, though Foster has emphasized its non-partisan focus on economic pragmatism. Parallel to her chairmanship, Foster has expanded into media roles since resigning as DUP leader in 2021. She joined as a contributor in July 2021, transitioning to on-air presenting and commentary on Northern Irish and UK political affairs. By July 2025, she fronted 's coverage of parades, leveraging her unionist background to analyze cultural and political events. Additionally, she contributes columns to The Impartial Reporter, offering insights on regional issues, and engages in , including keynotes and university events on and policy. These engagements reflect her shift toward influencing discourse outside elected office, often critiquing stalemates and advocating market-oriented solutions.

Political Ideology and Legacy

Commitment to Unionism and Critiques of Nationalism

Arlene Foster has consistently articulated a vision of unionism as confident, inclusive, and economically vibrant, positioning it as essential for 's prosperity and integration within the . In a May 21, 2018, speech, she described unionism as standing for "pluralism and multi-culturism," emphasizing that "confident unionism can capture the diversity that cannot" and that it thrives when "outward looking and welcoming." She argued that cementing the Union requires to become "an open and successful place" that embraces diversity and delivers on rights and citizenship, thereby attracting broader support beyond traditional bases. This approach, she contended, contrasts with narrower ideologies by fostering long-term strategic vision alongside immediate policy delivery, as outlined in her September 8, 2019, remarks ahead of 's centenary celebrations. Foster's personal background reinforced her unionist commitment; her father was shot by the IRA in 1979 when she was eight, yet she pursued cross-community engagement while remaining steadfast in opposing . She advocated engaging "any, and all, supporters of the Union" irrespective of differing views on or , as stated in a , 2019, address, while prioritizing within the framework. Her leadership of the (DUP) emphasized rejecting concessions that could erode the Union, such as a standalone Irish Language Act demanded by , which she viewed as incompatible with unionist priorities in a February 2018 statement. In critiquing Irish nationalism, Foster portrayed it as "narrow and exclusive," particularly in contrast to what she saw as unionism's broader appeal, a characterization that drew accusations of arrogance from following her May 21, 2018, speech. She repeatedly blamed for stalling talks through inflexibility, as in her March 27, 2017, accusation that the party lacked willingness for compromise ahead of deadlines. On the prospect of Irish unity, Foster dismissed border polls as destabilizing and reckless; in a May 5, 2017, statement, she predicted any such referendum would be "resoundingly" defeated, arguing it would undermine stability when was paramount. Foster expressed confidence that a would not occur in her lifetime, telling on May 28, 2021, "I don't think a is coming in my lifetime," while rejecting Sinn Féin's pushes for polls amid . In February 2020, she forecasted no border poll during her tenure, noting declining support for unification. By January 24, 2021, she labeled calls for a poll within five years—prompted by a Sunday Times survey showing 51% support—"absolutely reckless" and "incredibly divisive," prioritizing post- over divisive referendums. She also accused of inconsistency, as in July 31, 2018, when she highlighted their apparent retreat from poll demands during uncertainty. These positions underscored her view that nationalism's unity agenda ignored practical realities and majority unionist sentiment in .

Economic and Social Policy Stances

As Minister for Enterprise and Investment from 2008 to 2015, Foster prioritized attracting and job creation through measures like promoting Invest Northern Ireland as a hub for small businesses. She advocated reducing 's corporation tax rate to 12.5% to match the , welcoming the government's 2015 devolution agreement that enabled this competitiveness boost. Foster projected that such a cut could generate up to 50,000 jobs and expressed openness to an even lower 10% rate for greater advantage. In the , she pitched the reduced rate as key to drawing investors, emphasizing economic diversification and opportunities for a highly educated workforce. Foster supported Brexit, describing it in 2016 as the UK's "biggest economic opportunity for decades" and asserting it would not ruin Northern Ireland's economy. She opposed the Northern Ireland Protocol's regulatory divergences, warning they undermined the UK's internal market and created barriers to trade with Great Britain. Her economic vision focused on rural support, infrastructure, and post-Brexit resilience, including financial aid for farmers as outlined in DUP manifestos. On social issues, Foster upheld DUP's conservative stances, opposing same-sex marriage legalization and affirming traditional marriage as the foundation of society. In 2018, while attending an LGBT event as the first DUP leader to do so, she requested respect for her personal opposition to . She viewed Westminster's 2020 imposition of on as overriding local democratic will. Foster was resolute against abortion liberalization, reiterating the DUP's pro-life position and rejecting changes even in cases like , though open to careful consideration. She opposed Westminster's 2019 extension of access to , arguing it bypassed Stormont's consensus and created regulatory divergence she otherwise resisted on economic grounds. These views reflected her commitment to protecting vulnerable life and traditional family structures amid party pressures to moderate.

Achievements, Criticisms, and Broader Impact

Arlene Foster achieved several milestones during her tenure as leader of the from December 2015 to June 2021 and as of from January 2016 to January 2017 and January 2020 to June 2021. She became the first woman to hold the position of , assuming office on 11 January 2016 following Peter Robinson's retirement. In January 2020, Foster negotiated the restoration of the after a three-year impasse caused by disputes over renewable energy reforms and the , resuming powersharing with Sinn Féin deputy Michelle O'Neill. Her leadership secured a confidence-and-supply agreement with the Conservative government after the DUP gained 10 seats in the 2017 general election, providing parliamentary support in exchange for an additional £1 billion in funding for infrastructure and health services over 10 years. Foster's advocacy for Brexit aligned with unionist priorities, as she campaigned for Leave in the 2016 referendum, emphasizing the maintenance of Northern Ireland's place within the internal market. This positioned the DUP to influence withdrawal negotiations, including demands for alternative arrangements to avoid regulatory divergence that could threaten the Union. Criticisms of Foster centered on governance failures and strategic missteps. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, launched in January 2012 under her oversight as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, subsidized boiler users at rates exceeding fuel costs, leading to an estimated £200–500 million overspend by 2020 and potential total liabilities exceeding £1 billion without cost controls. A concluded in March 2020 that Foster bore responsibility for inadequate monitoring and delays in addressing warnings from civil servants about the scheme's flaws, though it cleared her of deliberately ignoring risks. Opposition parties and media labeled it the "cash-for-ash" scandal, with calls for her resignation intensifying in late 2016, contributing to the Executive's collapse in January ; Foster rejected these as politically motivated and, at times, misogynistic. Her Brexit stance drew internal DUP backlash for not preventing the Northern Ireland Protocol, which imposed customs checks on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland to avoid a land border with the Republic of Ireland, effectively creating an economic divide within the UK. Foster later described her biggest regret as failing to end the confidence-and-supply deal sooner to withhold support from Theresa May's government and force renegotiation. Leadership style critiques portrayed her as insufficiently assertive against Sinn Féin, exacerbating party divisions that culminated in her resignation amid threats of a leadership challenge in April 2021. Foster's broader impact reinforced unionism's focus on economic integration with the rest of the while navigating post-conflict sensitivities as a Protestant from the border county of . Her trailblazing role as the first female DUP leader challenged the party's traditional patriarchal structure, broadening its appeal beyond core unionist voters through cross-community outreach. However, scandals like RHI eroded public trust in devolved institutions, prolonging political vacuums that delayed responses to issues such as and health waiting lists. On , her efforts amplified unionist grievances in Westminster, influencing mitigations like the UK's Internal Market Bill in 2020, but the Protocol's implementation fueled perceptions of diminished sovereignty, straining DUP electoral support in subsequent elections.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Arlene Foster married Brian Foster, a nephew of the veteran politician Sam Foster, on 24 August 1995. The couple reside near the village of in , where Foster grew up. They have three children: a daughter named Sarah and two sons, George and Ben. Foster has described her family as a source of support during her political career and the , noting her fortune in having them nearby. Brian Foster has maintained a low public profile, with limited details available beyond his familial connection to Sam Foster.

Religious and Community Involvement

Arlene Foster is a member of the Church of Ireland, an Anglican denomination, and has described her Christian faith as a significant influence on her personal and political life. She has publicly stated that a strong Christian faith should positively impact politics by promoting values such as compassion and service, rejecting the notion that religion should be excluded from public discourse. Foster has emphasized the comfort provided by her faith during personal challenges, including the increasing secularization of society, and has advocated for addressing Christian persecution globally, as evidenced by her 2024 remarks in the House of Lords alongside Baron Daniel Moylan. In 2017, she attended the funeral of Sinn Féin leader Martin McGuinness at St. Columba's Church in Derry, citing it as "the Christian thing to do" despite political tensions, an act that drew applause from mourners. Foster has engaged in community activities aligned with her unionist background, including public support for the , a Protestant fraternal organization. Although not a formal member, she has addressed Orange Order events, such as leading a parade in , , on June 30, 2018, where she urged members to reject bigotry and intolerance while challenging prejudice against the institution. She has attended annual Orange parades, including the Rossnowlagh event in on July 9, 2017, and defended the Order against characterizations of supremacy or discrimination, as in her 2016 response to a U.S. video. In community service, Foster joined the for Co-operation Ireland, a cross-community peace-building charity, on November 22, 2021, contributing to reconciliation efforts amid post-Brexit challenges. She has also supported charitable initiatives, such as making Maze Long Kesh site available for an air ambulance service in 2016 alongside , and engaged in local fundraising in .

References

  1. https://igp.sipa.columbia.edu/communities-connections/faculty/baroness-arlene-foster
  2. https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/politics/arlene-foster-dup-northern-ireland-formally-elected-new-leader-and-future-first-minister-of-northern-ireland-a6777661.html
  3. https://arlenefoster.org.uk/
  4. https://www.niassembly.gov.uk/visit-and-learning/women-in-parliament/first-female-leaders/
  5. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-34776780
  6. https://members.parliament.uk/member/4969/contact
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