Yvette Cooper (born 20 March 1969) is a British politician from the Labour Party. She has been the Home Secretary since July 2024 under Prime Minister Keir Starmer. She has served as a Member of Parliament (MP) since 1997, first for Pontefract and Castleford, later for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford, and now for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley.
Early Life and Education
Yvette Cooper was born in Inverness, Scotland. Her father, Tony Cooper, worked in the trade union sector and was an adviser to the government on energy. Her mother, June, was a maths teacher.
Yvette Cooper went to Eggar’s School and Alton College in Hampshire. She later studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at Balliol College, Oxford, graduating with first-class honours. In 1991, she studied at Harvard University on a Kennedy Scholarship. Afterwards, Yvette Cooper earned an MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics.
Political Career
Yvette Cooper entered Parliament in 1997. Under Prime Minister Tony Blair, she worked in three departments as a junior minister from 1999 to 2005. In 2005, she became Minister of State for Housing and Planning, a role she continued under Gordon Brown.
In 2008, Yvette Cooper was promoted to Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and in 2009 she became Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. After Labour lost the 2010 election, she served in the Shadow Cabinet, first as Shadow Foreign Secretary, then as Shadow Home Secretary.
In 2015, Yvette Cooper ran for the Labour leadership but came third, losing to Jeremy Corbyn. She later chaired the Home Affairs Select Committee from 2016 to 2021. She returned to frontline politics in 2021 as Shadow Home Secretary under Keir Starmer.
When Labour won the 2024 general election, Yvette Cooper became Home Secretary again. Just weeks later, she faced her first major challenge during nationwide riots following the Southport stabbing.
Personal Life
Yvette Cooper married Ed Balls in 1998. He is also a Labour politician who held senior roles in government and opposition. The couple has three children: two daughters and one son.
Yvette Cooper has also written two books:
>>She Speaks: The Power of Women’s Voices (2019)
>>She Speaks: Women’s Speeches That Changed the World (2020)
During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Yvette Cooper and her family hosted a Ukrainian family in their home in Castleford.
Parents
Yvette Cooper father is Tony Cooper. He worked in trade unions and later gave advice to the government on energy. He also held important positions in the British nuclear industry. Yvette Cooper mother, June Cooper, was a maths teacher. They both supported Yvette’s education and career.
Siblings
Yvette Cooper has a brother and a sister. Their names are not widely known because they live more private lives compared to Yvette.
Height
Yvette Cooper is about 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) tall. This is an average height for a British woman.
Nationality
Yvette Cooper is British. She was born in Inverness, Scotland, but grew up in Hampshire, England.
Ethnicity
Yvette Cooper is White British. Her family background comes from the United Kingdom.
FAQs
1. Who are Yvette Cooper parents?
- Yvette Cooper father is Tony Cooper, a trade union leader and government adviser, and her mother is June Cooper, a maths teacher.
2. Does Yvette Cooper have siblings?
- Yes, Yvette Cooper has a brother and a sister, but their names are not well known.
3. Where was Yvette Cooper born?
- Yvette Cooper was born in Inverness, Scotland on 20 March 1969.
4. What is Yvette Cooper nationality?
- Yvette Cooper is British.
5. What is Yvette Cooper ethnicity?
- Yvette Cooper is White British.
6. How tall is Yvette Cooper?
- Yvette Cooper is about 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) tall.
7. Who is Yvette Cooper married to?
- Yvette Cooper is married to Ed Balls, a former Labour politician, since 1998.
8. Does Yvette Cooper have children?
- Yes, Yvette Cooper has three children: two daughters and one son.
9. What is Yvette Cooper job now?
- Yvette Cooper is the Home Secretary in the UK government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
10. Which political party does Yvette Cooper belong to?
- Yvette Cooper is a member of the Labour Party.
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