John Cooper (British politician)
John Cooper | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of Parliament for Dumfries and Galloway | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Alister Jack |
| Majority | 930 (2.1%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Matthew Cooper 1966 (age 59–60) Stranraer, Scotland |
| Party | Conservative |
| Spouse | Patricia Cooper |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University of Birmingham (MA) |
| Website | John Cooper MP website |
John Matthew Cooper (born 1966) is a Scottish Conservative Party politician and journalist, serving as Member of Parliament (MP) for Dumfries and Galloway since 2024.
He previously served as editor of the Stranraer and Wigtownshire Free Press from 2019 to 2022.
Early life and career
Cooper started his career working on the Stranraer and Wigtownshire Free Press weekly newspaper in 1984. He subsequently returned as editor in 2019.[1] He has also worked at the Irish Daily Mail and Scottish Daily Mail.[2]
Parliamentary career
Following the decision of sitting MP Alister Jack not to seek re-election in 2024, Cooper—who had served as Jack's special adviser on media relations—was selected as the Scottish Conservative Party candidate for Dumfries and Galloway. He successfully held the seat for the Conservatives in the 2024 general election, maintaining a majority of 930 votes.
In Westminster, Cooper has focused on economic and industrial policy. On 21 October 2024, he was elected to the Business and Trade Select Committee,[3] and in March 2025, he was further appointed to the Sub-Committee on Economic Security, Arms and Export Controls. Throughout 2025 and early 2026, his parliamentary work has been defined by advocacy for South Scotland infrastructure, specifically regarding the A75 and A77 road corridors.[4]
Personal life
Cooper was raised in Stranraer and attended Rephad Primary and Stranraer Academy. He has cited his upbringing in the region as a primary influence on his political focus on rural depopulation. He is married to Patricia, a journalist originally from Dumfries; the couple has three children.
Outside of his political and journalistic career, Cooper is a musician who has played the drums in various bands since his teenage years. In a 2025 interview with Holyrood,[5] he described his early years as a "straight-A student" by day and a "rock and roll" drummer by night. He is also a motorsport enthusiast and an advocate for lifelong learning, having completed a Master of Arts (MA) in Military History from the University of Birmingham via distance learning.[6]
References
- ^ Tobitt, Charlotte (12 April 2019). "Scottish weekly goes tabloid and full colour for first time in 176-year history". Press Gazette. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ "Crow Show as Deputy Editorship Goes his Way". All Media Scotland. Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ "Parliamentary career for John Cooper - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament". members.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "A75 and A77 Roads: Economic Impact - Hansard - UK Parliament". hansard.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "John Cooper MP: 'I broke my collarbone at the foot of Ben Nevis'". Holyrood Website. 7 March 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Blair Mayne: Posthumous Victoria Cross - Hansard - UK Parliament". hansard.parliament.uk. 3 February 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.