Rebecca Claire Cooper[1] is a British politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Worthing West since July 2024. She was leader of Worthing Borough Council from 2022 to 2024.

Dr Beccy Cooper
Official portrait, 2024
Member of Parliament
for Worthing West
Assumed office
4 July 2024
Preceded byPeter Bottomley
Majority3,949 (7.7%)
Leader of Worthing Borough Council
In office
20 May 2022 – 10 July 2024
Preceded byKevin Jenkins
Succeeded bySophie Cox
Personal details
Born
Rebecca Cooper
Political partyLabour
Alma materUniversity of Sheffield (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)
WebsiteOfficial website

Career

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She graduated from the University of Sheffield with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and worked as a Doctor.[2][3]

A member of the Labour Party, she gained the seat from the then-Father of the House Peter Bottomley.[4] Cooper first contested Worthing West in 2017 and 2019, winning the seat in 2024, on her third attempt. Cooper is the first female MP to represent a constituency to include Worthing and is, alongside Tom Rutland, the first Labour MP to represent Worthing.

Before becoming MP, Cooper was a Labour Councillor in Worthing for Marine Ward, being elected Councillor in 2017, the first Labour Councillor in Worthing for 41 years. Five years later, in 2022, Cooper became leader of Worthing Borough Council.[5][6]

In November 2024, Cooper voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which proposes to legalise assisted suicide.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Members Sworn". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Vol. 752. Parliament of the United Kingdom: House of Commons. 10 July 2024.
  2. ^ "About – Dr Beccy Cooper".
  3. ^ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-cooper-80a264a1/details/experience/
  4. ^ "Worthing West | General Election 2024". Sky News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Labour council leader takes long-held Tory seat". The Argus. 2024-07-05. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  6. ^ "Councillor details - Councillor Dr Beccy Cooper". Adur & Worthing Councils. 2024-07-06. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  7. ^ "Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading". Votes in Parliament. 29 November 2024.
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