By Ben Kerrigan-
The late MP Jo Cox’s “more in common” message is to be celebrated at Great Get Together events later this month. The celebrations are to start tomorrow which marks six years since the MP was murdered in her constituency of Batley and Spen during the Brexit referendum campaign.
The foundation set up in her honour is launching its sixth annual Great Get Together – a series of nationwide community events inspired by the message from her first speech in Parliament: “We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.”
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Far right extremist, Thomas Mair, shot and repeatedly stabbed Ms Cox in 2016, during the build up to the EU referendum, saying This is for Britain, keep Britain Independent, Britain First”
Over 20 million people have participated in the Great Get Together since it began in 2017.
The first took place on the anniversary of Mrs Cox’s murder, focusing on celebrating her life instead of the way she died.
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Her family and friends decided to move it to the weekend closest to her birthday instead. This year it will take place from Friday 24 to Sunday, June,2022, just after Jo would have turned 48.
Over 200 events will be taking place across the country which will encourage people from all backgrounds to realize their common ground: from events in the Houses of Parliament and the Senedd, to the Run For Jo in her constituency of Batley and Spen, and the Great Get Together Bankside which will once again be bringing a day of celebrations to the heart of London.
The outpouring of community support for refugees in recent months is a fitting example of Jo Cox’s message in action, and in partnership with Refugee Week many of the events happening this year are Great Walk Togethers.
Last month, her surviving sister, Kim Leadbeater, uncovered harrowing testimonies for a TV documentary as MPs seek better protection.
Labour MP Kim says the killing of Tory MP Sir David Amess last autumn brought back chilling memories of her sister’s murder in 2016.
She fears MPs are being influenced by fear of retribution when voting in Parliament, putting democracy under threat.
Su Moore, CEO of The Jo Cox Foundation, said: “No two Great Get Togethers are the same – they range from plant swaps to mosque tours, concerts to coffee mornings – but they all bring Jo’s message of unity to life. They help people to realise what they have in common, whether that’s with a next-door neighbour or a refugee in another country.”
Rt Hon Jacqui Smith, chair of The Jo Cox Foundation, said: “I was proud to call Jo a friend and hugely admired her dedication to changing the world for the better. For us, the anniversary of Jo’s murder is a time to reflect and an occasion to remember how Jo lived, not how she died.”
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