British Deaf Association thanks Rosie Cooper for ‘tirelessly campaigning’ as she leaves Parliament

The British Deaf Association (BDA) has expressed its thanks to British Sign Language (BSL) Act supporter Rosie Cooper MP, after she revealed she would be leaving Parliament.

The Labour politician and child of Deaf adults, who first introduced the Bill to legally recognise BSL to the Commons, has accepted the role of chair of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.

In a statement posted on social media, the West Lancashire MP said: “The decision to apply for the role was taken after a considerable period of soul searching and reflection. The events I have faced over the last few years are well documented and undoubtedly have taken their toll.

“The National Health Service is one of my passions. Prior to entering Parliament, I had dedicated many years of service to the NHS and have been able to serve on the Health and Social Care Select Committee during my time as MP.

“To return to the NHS as Chairman of Mersey Care felt like the right opportunity at the right time. This appointment means I am unable to continue with my other passion of representing the people of West Lancashire as their MP, being their voice and fighting their corner as I have done since 2005.”

Commenting on her decision to step down as an MP, BDA chair David Buxton said: “The British Deaf Association is grateful to Rosie Cooper for her tireless campaigning on behalf of the Deaf community over the past seventeen years, culminating in the success of the British Sign Language Act this April after 19 long years of waiting for a legal status of BSL.

“We are sorry to see such a champion of BSL and Deaf people leave Parliament, but we wish Rosie every success in her future career.”

The date of Ms Cooper’s departure from Parliament and the West Lancashire by-election have not yet been announced.

Photo: ParliamentLive.TV.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.