Dumfries & Galloway Conservatives have announced that John Cooper, former editor of the Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press has been selected as the party’s candidate for the forthcoming UK General Election for the Dumfries & Galloway constituency.
Raised and educated in Stranraer, John previously had a long career in journalism including as Editor of the Stranraer Free Press and as a journalist and associate editor on national titles such as the Sunday Mail and the Scottish Daily Mail. In 2021, he joined the Scotland Office as a Special Advisor to the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack MP.
John who is married to Patricia from Minnigaff and has three children was selected following a competitive selection process by local party members.
Incumbent MP Alister Jack announced earlier this year that he would not be re-standing having served as Dumfries & Galloway’s MP since 2017.
Commenting on his selection, Scottish Conservative candidate John Cooper said,
“I am honoured to have been selected as the Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate for Dumfries and Galloway at the next General Election.
I am standing to be an MP that will champion Dumfries & Galloway and will work hard to give back to the community which has given me so much over the years. We need to see the A75 and A77 upgraded, local businesses given the backing they need to grow and succeed and the needs of rural communities recognised and acted upon.
We have some significant challenges in Dumfries & Galloway such as de-population, which often robs us of our brightest and best. I want to work to tackle this through creating opportunities and, crucially, jobs for our young people especially.
I want others to have the same opportunities here as I had and for as many people as possible to have the chance to raise families amidst the ineffable magic of Dumfries and Galloway.
The choice at the next election in Dumfries & Galloway is clear –a Scottish Conservative & Unionist MP that will put Dumfries & Galloway first or an SNP MP that will champion independence above all else”.
Galloway & West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson said,
“I am delighted John Cooper has been selected as the prospective parliamentary candidate to fight for the Dumfries and Galloway constituency after Alister Jack’s announcement to step down at the next UK election.
As a Stranraer man, John has a wealth of experience and knowledge of our region and that is further enhanced from his roles in the Scottish office and previously as editor of the Stranraer Freepress. He is well placed to represent the best interest of everyone in Dumfries and Galloway”
Incumbent Dumfries and Galloway constituency MP Alister Jack said:
“Having worked with John at the Scotland Office I know what an able and effective MP he would make should he be elected at the next general election.
“As a native of Stranraer and with family and other connections in the constituency, he is well placed to champion the issues that matter to the people of Dumfries and Galloway constituency.
“His background in local and national journalism and experience as an advisor at the heart of the UK Government, means he would hit the ground running with his insight into issues such as the A75, economic growth, agriculture and potential opportunities through technological advances to create quality new jobs.”
