It has been a decade since Jo Cox, the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, was murdered by a far-right extremist. Her sister, Kim Leadbeater, who now holds the same parliamentary seat, reflects on the tragedy and the lessons that remain unlearned.
A Life Cut Short
Jo Cox was a dedicated public servant, a passionate advocate for social justice, and a firm supporter of the European Union. She was also the mother of two young children, aged five and three. On 16 June 2016, during a toxic Brexit campaign, she was shot and stabbed multiple times outside Birstall library in West Yorkshire. Her attacker, a far-right extremist, shouted, "This is for Britain." She was 41 years old.
The Legacy of the Jo Cox Foundation
In her honour, Kim Leadbeater and her family established the Jo Cox Foundation. They also took on her former constituency. However, a decade later, far-right ideologies have become more mainstream, and far-right violence more frequent. Leadbeater shares with Nosheen Iqbal the lessons we can all learn from this tragedy.
Lessons Still to Be Learned
Leadbeater emphasises the importance of combating hatred and division. She calls for greater efforts to promote unity and understanding in a politically polarised society. The murder of Jo Cox serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of extremism and the need for continued vigilance.
