A member of the Labour Party, she gained the seat from the then-Father of the HousePeter Bottomley.[4] Cooper first contested Worthing West in 2017 and 2019, but failed both times to win the constituency and only gained the seat in 2024. Before becoming MP, Cooper was a Labour Councillor in Worthing for Marine Ward, being elected Councillor in 2017 (the first Labour Councillor in Worthing for 41 years) and eventually becoming leader of Worthing Borough Council in 2022.[5][6]