Jo Cox: Politicians put aside differences to honour murdered MP

Election campaign suspended for one hour today in memory of former Labour MP

In Ms Cox’s former constituency of Batley and Spen, candidates will come together at an event raising money for a special care baby unit (PA)

Politicians will call an election truce today to honour murdered MP Jo Cox by focusing on what they have in common.

Theresa May and other party leaders will stop campaigning for an hour to remember the Labour MP, who used her maiden speech in the Commons to say: “We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.”

Her widower Brendan Cox said the move would “send a powerful message” of unity, coming ahead of the first anniversary of the mother-of-two’s murder last June.

He said: “Doing so in such a coordinated way will, we hope, send a powerful message that whatever our political disagreements, we really do hold more in common and show a united front against hatred and extremism in all its forms.

“Elections are huge moments of national importance and deserve to be taken seriously. But we also need to get a better balance.

“We spend way too much time fixated on the areas we disagree with each other and need to create more moments where we come together as a country.

“That’s what I’m focused on and after polling day, I am sure that’s exactly what people all over the UK will be crying out for.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is due to visit an arts centre in Liverpool, while Liberal Democrat Tim Farron will attend a community picnic in Kendal in his constituency and Green leader Caroline Lucas will be at a church project in Brighton.

In Ms Cox’s former constituency of Batley and Spen, in West Yorkshire, the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green candidates will come together at a farmers’ event raising money for a special care baby unit.

The mother-of-two, 41, was shot and stabbed multiple times by right-wing extremist Thomas Mair in her constituency last June. He was later handed a whole-life prison sentence for her murder.

To mark the anniversary of her death, Mr Cox has organised the Great Get Together from 16-18 June, when thousands of gatherings such as street parties, picnics and coffee mornings will be held across the country.

Press Association