Bob Cooper (politician)

Sir Robert George Cooper, CBE (24 June 1936 – 15 November 2004), popularly known as Sir Bob Cooper, was a politician and equal opportunities activist in Northern Ireland.

Sir Bob Cooper

CBE
Minister of Manpower Services
In office
1 January 1974 – 28 May 1974
Preceded byOffice created
Succeeded byOffice abolished
Leader of the Alliance Party
In office
1970–1972
Preceded byCreated
Succeeded byPhelim O'Neill
Personal details
Born(1936-06-24)24 June 1936
East Donegal
Died15 November 2004(2004-11-15) (aged 68)
Holywood, County Down
Political partyAlliance
Ulster Unionist
Spouse(s)Pat
Children2
Alma materQueen's University Belfast
OccupationSolicitor

Born and raised in the east of County Donegal in the north-west of Ulster, Cooper, a Presbyterian, attended Foyle College and then studied law at The Queen's University of Belfast, where he was the Chair of the Young Unionists. Despite his Protestant Unionist background, Cooper married a Catholic.[1]

In 1970, Cooper became a founder member of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, and at the 1973 Northern Ireland Assembly election, he was elected for West Belfast.[2] He served as Minister for Manpower Services, a junior position in the Sunningdale Northern Ireland Executive.[3] Soon after, he became deputy leader of the party, and in 1975 he was elected to the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention.

In 1976, Cooper left politics to take up an appointment as head of the Fair Employment Agency. In 1990, this became the Fair Employment Commission, and he continued in the post until 1999. He then headed the Integrated Education Fund until shortly before his death.

Cooper was knighted in 1998. His wife was Lady Pat Cooper.

References
  1. "Founder of Alliance who became passionate champion of equality". The Irish Times.
  2. "Obituary: Sir Robert (Bob) Cooper". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk.
  3. "CAIN: Events: Sunningdale - Members of the 1974 Executive". cain.ulster.ac.uk.
Northern Ireland Assembly (1973)
New assembly Assembly Member for West Belfast
1973–1974		 Assembly abolished
Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention
New convention Member for West Belfast
1975–1976		 Convention dissolved
Party political offices
New title Joint Leader of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
1970–72
With: Oliver Napier		 Succeeded by
Phelim O'Neill (acting)
Preceded by
Grace Wilson (acting)		 General Secretary of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
1972–74		 Succeeded by
John Cushnahan?
New title Deputy Leader of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
1973–76		 Succeeded by
Basil Glass
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