Shadow Foreign Minister (2021-24)

Catherine West MP speaking in Parliament - credit Jessica Taylor

In December 2021 I was appointed Shadow Minister for Asia and the Pacific. From April 2020 – December 2021, I was the Shadow Minister for Europe & the Americas. In both these roles as part of Labour’s Front Bench Foreign Affairs team I worked tirelessly with my colleagues to hold this Government to account for their foreign policy, and to provide a robust defence of the values and norms which Labour holds dear.

In July 2024, following Labour’s landslide General Election victory I was delighted to be appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. As such, this page is no longer updated but contains information about my previous work in opposition.

Should you be interested in my work in Government, you can follow updates from the FCDO here.

My latest updates on my work as Shadow Foreign Minister

WATCH: My question on the ongoing detention of Jimmy Lai

Labour has always been clear in our approach to China – Challenge, Compete, and where we can – Cooperate. The trial of Jimmy Lai, and the erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong, is a key example of where we must challenge the Chinese government and stand up for our values.…

READ: Minister’s response to my questions on Jimmy Lai

In the debate on Hong Kong last month I raised specific questions on whether the PM had raised Jimmy Lai’s case with the Chinese Government personally, and whether there had been any attempts to raise the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) since May. Disappointingly, the Minister failed to answer in the…

Rights for women and girls in Afghanistan

Since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban women and girls have seen their rights evaporate. We urgently need a sustained strategy to deal with Afghanistan to give hope to the 40 million Afghans left without opportunity. Watch my question to the Minister at Foreign Office questions today:

British Government policy on Afghanistan

British, allied, and Afghan forces fought for a better Afghanistan for the Afghan people. Since the fall of Kabul, not enough debate on how we engage with Afghanistan has taken place in Parliament, so I was pleased to have the opportunity to respond on behalf of Labour at today’s Westminster…

Statement- Bangladesh Election

Following the elections in Bangladesh on the 7th January 2024, I note the statement from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office which stated: “The United Kingdom notes the results of the 12th Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh, which took place on 7 January 2024. “Democratic elections depend on credible, open, and…

Catherine West calls for Jimmy Lai’s immediate release

Labour has – and always will – call for Jimmy Lai‘s immediate release and for the restoration of the freedoms promised to Hong Kong. Today I responded for Labour to an Urgent Question in the House:

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