Catherine Margaret Ashton , Baroness Ashton of Upholland ( born 20 March 1956 ) is a British labor politician . In November 2009 , she was appointed to be the first European Foreign Minister . Catherine Margaret Ashton , Baroness Ashton of Upholland , PC ( born 20 March 1956 ) is a British Labor politician who has been the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union ( EU ) since 1 December 2009 when the post was created .