Jo Cox’s sister: We must unite as human beings
Jo Cox was Labor MP for Batley and Spen, winning the seat at the 2015 general election. It was a time of intense division in Britain, with a debate over UK membership of the EU dividing the country . On June 16, 2016, Cox was on his way to surgery to meet his constituents in Birstall, West Yorkshire, when Thomas Mair shot him twice in the head and once in the chest with a modified shotgun.
He then stabbed her 15 times outside a Market Street library, a shocking act of violence that shook the nation.
Cox was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary but died shortly afterwards. She was only 41 and left behind two young children.
Mair’s trial saw Cox manager Fazila Aswat allege the killer shouted before committing the murder: “This is for Britain. Britain will always come first.”
Items later found at Mair’s home showed he had “strong political and ideological interests”, according to prosecutor Richard Whittam QC.
Jo Cox: It’s been six years since the Labor MP was murdered (Image: GETTY)
Anniversary: his death deeply shook the United Kingdom (Image: GETTY)
Today marks the sixth anniversary of Cox’s murder, with messages of support and fond memories posted on social media.
In 2018, two years after her death, her husband, Brendan, reiterated how central Cox was to their family.
Posting a heartbreaking message on Twitter alongside a photo of her, he wrote: “Two years ago we lost Jo but she is still the center of our family.
“Today we will remember his smile, his empathy, his energy and his love.”
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‘We are much more united’: Cox’s first speech in Parliament became his legacy (Image: GETTY)
The couple married in 2009 and had two children together, aged five and three at the time of his death.
Both had working connections with the Labor Party – Brendan was an international development adviser to Gordon Brown’s government – they first met when she was working for the charity Oxfam.
This month, a series of events called “Great Get Together” will celebrate Cox’s life and work.
The Jo Cox Foundation has been set up in his honor and will spark a series of nationwide community events inspired by his maiden speech in Parliament: “We are much more united and have much more in common than what divides us.
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Murder scene: Cox was killed by Thomas Mair outside Birstall Library (Image: GETTY)
Brendan Cox: Her husband of seven years speaks at an event in her memory (Image: GETTY)
Debuting in 2017, it has since attracted more than 20 million participants across the country.
The first was on the first anniversary of his death and has continued ever since.
This year, it runs from Friday, June 24 to Sunday, June 26 — just after what would have been his 48th birthday.
Over 200 events will take place that will encourage people from all walks of life to thrive on their common ground.
These will happen from Westminster to the Senedd in Wales, from the Run For Jo race to Batley and Spent to the Great Get Together Bankside in the heart of London.
Kim Leadbeater: Cox’s sister broke down in tears after seeing the floral tribute to Birstall (Image: GETTY)
Su Moore, CEO of the Jo Cox Foundation, said: “No two Great Get Togethers are the same – they range from plant swaps to mosque visits, concerts to morning coffees – but they all bring the message to life. unit of Jo.
“They help people realize what they have in common, whether it’s with an immediate neighbor or a refugee in another country.”
Rt Hon Jacqui Smith, President of the Jo Cox Foundation, said: “I was proud to call Jo a friend and greatly admired her dedication to changing the world for the better.
“For us, the anniversary of Jo’s murder is a moment of reflection and an opportunity to remember how Jo lived, not how she died.”
Labour: Leadbeater won his sister’s former seat of Batley and Spen in the 2021 by-election (Image: GETTY)
Last year, Kim Leadbeater – Cox’s sister – stood in the Batley and Spen by-election following the resignation of West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin.
Ms Leadbeater won what was a decisive victory (42.7% of the vote), her nearest challenger Ryan Stephenson from the Conservative Party who won just 36% of the vote.
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Source: www.express.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-06-16 12:48:00
