MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Foreign Secretary
“A highly loyal Labour MP and senior government figure who backs welfare funding and public services, while generally opposing tighter immigration and asylum policies.”
Yvette Cooper is a Labour (Co-op) MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, first elected in 1997. She currently serves as Foreign Secretary and has previously held senior roles including Home Secretary and Shadow Home Secretary. Her career has focused on security, home affairs and international matters.
She has perfect party loyalty (100%) and higher attendance (62% vs 34% average). Her voting position sits centre-left (44/100). On major issues, she backs Universal Credit and NHS funding, generally opposes tighter immigration controls and the asylum system, supports bus services regulation, and shows a mix of votes on VAT, transgender rights and prison sentencing, including opposition to the Rwanda deportation scheme and to expanding trade union powers.
Declared financial interests include multiple entries related to employment and earnings (ad hoc payments and other earnings) and gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources.
Generated 21 February 2026
How this MP participates in parliamentary votes. These numbers describe activity, not effectiveness.
How often this MP votes
Labour (Co-op) average: 34%
The percentage of parliamentary votes (divisions) this MP participated in. MPs may miss votes for legitimate reasons including ministerial duties, constituency work, or illness.
How often this MP votes with their party
Labour (Co-op) average: 99%
Estimated from voting record, not self-declared. This is a simplified model — real politics is more complex than a single axis.
26 positions
Foreign Secretary
Since Sept 2025
Home Secretary
Jul 2024 - Sept 2025
Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department
Nov 2021 - May 2024
Liaison Committee (Commons)
May 2020 - Dec 2021
National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
May 2020 - Jan 2022
Home Affairs Committee
Jan 2020 - Dec 2021
Liaison Committee Sub-committee on the effectiveness and influence of the select committee system
Feb 2019 - Nov 2019
Figures include only interests with declared monetary values from the Register of Members' Financial Interests. Some categories (e.g. hospitality, overseas visits) may not have monetary values recorded, so the total may not reflect all declared interests.
King's Speech Motion for an Address
AYEKing's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (p)
NOKing's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (l)
NOKing's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (o)
NODraft Energy Prices Act 2022 (Extension of Time Limit) Regulations 2026
AYEEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Government motion to disagree to Lords Amendment 26
AYEEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Government motion to disagree to Lords Amendment 13
AYEEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Government motion to disagree to Lords Amendment 4
AYEEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Government motion to disagree to Lords Amendment 2
AYEEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Foreign Secretary
Government role · 5 Sept 2025
Home Secretary
Government role · 5 Jul 2024
Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department
Opposition role · 29 Nov 2021
Liaison Committee (Commons)
Parliamentary role · 20 May 2020
National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
Parliamentary role · 11 May 2020
Home Affairs Committee
Parliamentary role · 27 Jan 2020
The percentage of votes where this MP voted the same way as the majority of their party. High loyalty is typical; most MPs vote with their party on most issues.
Rebel votes
Times this MP voted differently from the majority of their party. This can reflect independent judgement, but context matters — some rebel votes are on procedural matters, others on major policy.
