John Cooper (British politician)

John Matthew Cooper is a Scottish Conservative Party politician and journalist, serving as Member of Parliament 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. He has also worked at the Irish Daily Mail and Scottish Daily Mail.

Parliamentary career

Cooper was selected as the Conservative Party candidate for Dumfries and Galloway for the 2024 general election to replace incumbent Alister Jack pending his elevation to the House of Lords. Cooper had previously worked for Jack as a special advisor on media relations.
He was elected as a member of the Business and Trade Select Committee on 21 October 2024.