Beccy Cooper Explained

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.

Career

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]

Notes and References

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