Who is Yvette Cooper?

YVETTE Cooper worked on a farm before she first entered the world of politics in 1990.

From her parliamentary career to her family life, here’s everything you need to know about the 'Tory Assassin'.

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Who is Yvette Cooper?

Yvette Cooper, born March 20, 1969, is a British politician who has been an MP continuously since May 1, 1997.

Although she is now a major force in UK politics, her first job couldn't be further removed — she was employed on a farm picking strawberries and driving a tractor. 

She was the Labour MP for Normanton, Pontefract, and Castleford between 2010 and 2024, having served as the MP for Pontefract and Castleford since 1997, and currently undertakes the role of Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department.

In the 2024 General Election, Cooper won the new seat of Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley following constituency boundary changes.

She is expected to be named Home Secretary in Keir Starmer's first Cabinet following Labour's landslide victory in the 2024 General Election.

Cooper began her political career in 1990 as a policy researcher for then Shadow Chancellor John Smith, before going on to work for the Democratic Party presidential nominee Bill Clinton in 1992. 

She then returned to the UK as a policy advisor to the then Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Harriet Harman.

Cooper has also served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

But she refused to serve under Corbyn, instead becoming boss of the powerful Home Affairs select Committee.

Cooper was nicknamed the ‘Tory Assassin’ after her forensic cross examination led to Amber Rudd to quit as Home Secretary.

Alongside her work in politics, Cooper has also released two books — She Speaks: The Power Of Women's Voices was released in 2020, quickly followed up in 2021 by She Speaks: Women's Speeches That Changed The World, From Pankhurst To Greta.

When did Yvette Cooper and Ed Balls get married? 

Yvette Cooper is married to former politician Ed Balls — who hung up his political boots after losing his Morley and Outwood seat in the 2015 General Election.

The couple wed on January 10, 1998, in Eastbourne.

They were the first married couple to serve together in the British cabinet back in January 2008 after Yvette became the Chief Secretary to The Treasury.

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Do Yvette Cooper and Ed Balls have any children?

The couple shares three children together.

They are the parents of daughters Ellie and Maddy, and a son named Joel.

Aside from this information, they prefer to keep the kids' personal information out of the public spotlight and not much else is known about them.

How long has Yvette Cooper been Shadow Home Secretary?

Yvette Cooper has served as Shadow Home Secretary since 2021.

She previously held the position from 2011 to 2015.

Cooper is expected to be appointed Home Secretary in Keir Starmer's first Cabinet, which the new prime minister is due to announce over the weekend of July 6 and 7, according to the Institute of Government.