Today we bury Jo Cox – how quick we were to forget her message of solidarity and unity

The fact that aggression and violence has come to define our politics in the last few months is an insult to Cox’s memory

People attending a commemorative event to celebrate the life of Labour MP Jo Cox in Trafalgar Square (AFP/Getty)

We lay Jo Cox to rest after one of the most tragic events in British political history. Her murder sent shockwaves around the world and her husband’s heartfelt words touched a chord with most. He said his wife would want us all to unite against the hatred that killed her and that hate doesn’t have a creed, race or religion – it is just, plainly and simply, poisonous.

His words summed up not only what Jo Cox stood for but what any decent human being should stand for. She spent her life fighting for a fairer society and giving a voice to the voiceless. Her overarching ambition concerned unity and, out of respect to this, at her memorial service MPs formed a cross-party procession as they were paired with an MP from a rival party and walked together. It was a beautiful moment – but also a stark reminder of how quickly we can forget such signs of solidarity.

After the news of Cox’s killing, the EU referendum campaigns took a momentary pause before continuing with the same hateful vigour we have become accustomed to over the previous months. Reports suggest that hate crime following the referendum result has risen by 57 per cent. The negative campaign tactics of Leave will have lasting ramifications and this rise in hate crime is just one possible consequence. Both sides may have taken the time to pause their campaigns out of respect for Jo Cox, but they forgot her message almost instantaneously.

These hate crimes aren’t by any means isolated to the far right. Angela Eagle’s office was attacked after she announced her Labour leadership bid, leaving her staff “shaken”.

Kevin McKeever, a PR worker whose company has been accused of orchestrating the coup against Jeremy Corbyn, received a death threat, saying he should “prepare to be coxed” for his alleged role in helping to mobilise the coup. On the advice of police and in the interests of his personal safety, McKeever has chosen not to comment on the Labour party leadership any further. Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn himself has claimed that he has also been subject to death threats.

The fact that such aggression and violence has come to define our politics in the past few months is an insult to Jo Cox’s memory and an insult to the fundamental ideals that underpin Britishness.

Violence and hate can never be allowed to undermine our democracy and they have no place in the society that Jo Cox fought so hard for. We owe it to her to champion her legacy and fight for unity.

Beyond all the politics, today is a day when we should appreciate the tragedy of a young life cut short. Two small children have been left without a mother and a man without his beloved wife. Violence and hatred has deeply personal, irreversible effects that we are often too happy to dismiss. As we bury Jo Cox, we must not bury the ideals that were so important to her.