Gatherings to remember former West Yorkshire MP Jo Cox
Jo was murdered in 2016.
MPs have gathered this week to remember West Yorkshire MP Jo Cox - who was murdered in 2016.
Events are happening all weekend in light of Jo's belief 'we have more in common than that which divides us'.
The annual Great Parliamentary Get Together happened earlier this week, held for the first time at the Speaker’s House in Westminster, where senior political figures were in attendance. Among those joining Jo’s sister, Kim Leadbeater MP, were former Prime Ministers, Rishi Sunak and Theresa May, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper and the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
MPs from across the House, staff members and representatives of organisations supporting issues that Jo cared about joined the event. Jo and Kim’s parents, Gordon and Jean Leadbeater, and Jo’s children, Cuillin and Lejla were special guests.
Opening the event, the Deputy Speaker, Nusrat Ghani, said:
“Jo’s politics was compassion-led. Her commitment was to a kinder, more inclusive society. And she had so much more to give. She was a star in the making.”
Rishi Sunak said:
“Jo understood that in our democracy we have political opponents, not enemies.” Referring to Jo’s belief that ‘We are more united and have far more in common than that which divides us’, Rachel Reeves said: “It makes us stronger as a Parliament and stronger as a country too if we live by those values.”
Thanking the speakers, Kim said:
“It is heartwarming to see so many familiar faces here – and many new friends too – and on behalf of Jo’s family I want to thank you all for coming. It means a lot to us all that colleagues have taken the time out of their busy schedules to join us to get together to remember Jo.”
She added:
“There is much more work still to do to channel Jo’s message of finding common ground and working collaboratively – in this place and beyond – and also learning to disagree well, whatever our different views and perspectives may be. It is not always easy, and we might not always get it right – but we have a duty to try and show that we really do have ‘more in common than that which divides us.’
“And the Great Get Together from The Jo Cox Foundation – which takes place across the weekend of Jo’s Birthday – which is this weekend – provides opportunities for people in communities across the country to come together – to remember Jo and her values – but to also think about who we are, and the kind of country we want to live in.
“Up in Spen Valley we will be doing the annual Run for Jo at Oakwell Hall in Birstall – organised by amazing local volunteers who came together after Jo was killed. Because building strong communities it starts with us all – whoever and wherever we may be.”