Jo Cox death: By-election to replace MP should not be contested, says Grant Shapps

A new Labour MP could be elected unopposed

Tributes for Jo Cox are laid in Parliament Square (PA)

The by-election to replace slain MP Jo Cox should not be contested by other parties, a former chair of the Conservative party has said.

Ms Cox was killed yesterday in a shooting and stabbing incident outside a constituency surgery in the West Yorkshire town of Birstall.

Under parliamentary rules, her death will trigger a one-off by-election to fill her now vacant parliamentary seat of Batley and Spen.

That election would normally give other parties a chance of wresting control of the seat from Labour.

Grant Shapps on Friday however suggested that Ms Cox’s replacement should be elected unopposed as a mark of tribute to her public service.

“I hope that in the sad by-election to follow, Jo Cox's constituency is left uncontested as a tribute to Jo's extraordinary public service,” he said in a tweet.

The date of any by election will not be set until Labour moves the writ to schedule it in the House of Commons.

Grant Shapps (Getty)

Such a by-election would be schedule for well after the European Union referendum, which is due on 23 June.

Parties cannot all be compelled to stand down at the by-election, but they can individually voluntarily choose not to contest the seat.

The move to stand down would be unusual as the seats of MPs who die of natural causes have tended to be contested in recent years.

The Oldham West and Royton by election for instance took place in December last year in response to the natural death of Labour MP Michael Meacher.

A vigil was held in Parliament Square last night to commemorate Ms Cox’s life. Another will be held on Friday evening, with thousands expected to attend.

West Yorkshire Police have arrested 52-year-old Thomas Mair in connection with the killing. They say they are not seeking any other individuals and that it was "localised" in nature.