Bob Cooper (politician)

Sir Bob Cooper CBE
Minister of Manpower Services
In office 1 January 1974 – 28 May 1974
Preceded by	Office created
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Leader of the Alliance Party
In office 1970–1972
Preceded by	Created
Succeeded by	Phelim O'Neill
Personal details
Born	(1936-06-24)24 June 1936 County Donegal, Ireland
Died	15 November 2004(2004-11-15) (aged 68) Holywood, Northern Ireland
Political party	Alliance Ulster Unionist
Spouse	Pat
Children	2
Alma mater	Queen's University Belfast
Occupation	Solicitor

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.

Born and raised in County Donegal in Ireland, 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.

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. He served as Minister for Manpower Services, a junior position in the Sunningdale Northern Ireland Executive. 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

• "Obituary: Sir Robert (Bob) Cooper", Belfast Telegraph
• Ford pays tribute to Bob Cooper, founding Alliance member