Jo Cox: Difference between revisions
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|image = Helen Joanne Cox.jpg |
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|caption = Cox in 2015 |
|caption = Cox in 2015 |
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|office = [[Member of |
|office = [[Member of Parliament (UK)|Member of Parliament]]<br/>for [[Batley and Spen (UK Parliament constituency)|Batley and Spen]] |
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|term_start = 8 May 2015 |
|term_start = 8 May 2015 |
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|term_end = 16 June 2016 |
|term_end = 16 June 2016 |
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|website = {{url|jocox.org.uk|Official website}} |
|website = {{url|jocox.org.uk|Official website}} |
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'''Helen Joanne''' "'''Jo'''" '''Cox'''<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=61230 |date=18 May 2015 |startpage=9119}}</ref> ({{Nee}} '''Leadbeater''';<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BVWqCQAAQBAJ|title=The Politicos Guide to the New House of Commons 2015: Profiles of the New MPs and Analysis of the 2015 General Election Results|last=Carr|first=Tim|last2=Dale|first2=Iain|last3=Waller|first3=Robert|date=18 May 2015|publisher=Biteback Publishing|isbn=9781849549240}}</ref> 22 June 1974 – 16 June 2016) was a British [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] politician. She was the [[Member of |
'''Helen Joanne''' "'''Jo'''" '''Cox'''<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=61230 |date=18 May 2015 |startpage=9119}}</ref> ({{Nee}} '''Leadbeater''';<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BVWqCQAAQBAJ|title=The Politicos Guide to the New House of Commons 2015: Profiles of the New MPs and Analysis of the 2015 General Election Results|last=Carr|first=Tim|last2=Dale|first2=Iain|last3=Waller|first3=Robert|date=18 May 2015|publisher=Biteback Publishing|isbn=9781849549240}}</ref> 22 June 1974 – 16 June 2016) was a British [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] politician. She was the [[Member of Parliament (UK)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for the constituency of [[Batley and Spen (UK Parliament constituency)|Batley and Spen]] from her election in May 2015 until her death 13 months later in June 2016, having retained the seat with an increased majority for Labour in the [[United Kingdom general election, 2015|2015 general election]].<ref name="BBC">{{cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000548 | title=Batley & Spen Parliamentary constituency | publisher=BBC News| date=8 May 2015|accessdate=8 May 2015}}</ref> |
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Born in [[Batley]], West Yorkshire, and raised in nearby [[Heckmondwike]], Cox graduated from the [[University of Cambridge]] in 1995 before working as a political assistant. She then joined the international humanitarian charity [[Oxfam]], where she rose to become head of policy and advocacy at [[Oxfam GB]]. She was selected to contest the Batley and Spen constituency after the previous incumbent decided not to stand again in 2015. Having retained the seat for Labour, she became a campaigner on issues relating to the [[Syrian Civil War]], and also founded and chaired the [[all-party parliamentary group]] Friends of Syria. |
Born in [[Batley]], West Yorkshire, and raised in nearby [[Heckmondwike]], Cox graduated from the [[University of Cambridge]] in 1995 before working as a political assistant. She then joined the international humanitarian charity [[Oxfam]], where she rose to become head of policy and advocacy at [[Oxfam GB]]. She was selected to contest the Batley and Spen constituency after the previous incumbent decided not to stand again in 2015. Having retained the seat for Labour, she became a campaigner on issues relating to the [[Syrian Civil War]], and also founded and chaired the [[all-party parliamentary group]] Friends of Syria. |
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Cox was a parliamentary supporter of the [[Labour Friends of Palestine & the Middle East]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lfpme.org/page/supporters.php|title=Parliamentary supporters|work=Labour Friends of Palestine & the Middle East|accessdate=17 June 2016}}</ref> and called for the lifting of the [[blockade of the Gaza Strip]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jocox.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/LFPME_Brochure_FINAL2.pdf| pages=10-12|title=Making the progressive case for peace in Palestine and Israel: Labour Party policies to support the rule of law and human rights|accessdate= 17 June 2016|date=December 2015|publisher=Labour Friends of Palestine & the Middle East}}</ref> She had opposed efforts by the government to curtail the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions]] movement, and has stated "I believe that this is a gross attack on democratic freedoms. Not only is it right to boycott unethical companies but it is our right to do so."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jocox.org.uk/haveyoursay/israelboycottban/|title=Have your say: Israel boycott ban|publisher=Jo Cox MP|date=17 February 2016|accessdate=17 June 2016}}</ref> |
Cox was a parliamentary supporter of the [[Labour Friends of Palestine & the Middle East]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lfpme.org/page/supporters.php|title=Parliamentary supporters|work=Labour Friends of Palestine & the Middle East|accessdate=17 June 2016}}</ref> and called for the lifting of the [[blockade of the Gaza Strip]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jocox.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/LFPME_Brochure_FINAL2.pdf| pages=10-12|title=Making the progressive case for peace in Palestine and Israel: Labour Party policies to support the rule of law and human rights|accessdate= 17 June 2016|date=December 2015|publisher=Labour Friends of Palestine & the Middle East}}</ref> She had opposed efforts by the government to curtail the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions]] movement, and has stated "I believe that this is a gross attack on democratic freedoms. Not only is it right to boycott unethical companies but it is our right to do so."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jocox.org.uk/haveyoursay/israelboycottban/|title=Have your say: Israel boycott ban|publisher=Jo Cox MP|date=17 February 2016|accessdate=17 June 2016}}</ref> |
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Cox supported the "Remain" campaign during the [[United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016|2016 referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union]].<ref name=BBC16616>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35616946|title=EU vote: Where the cabinet and other MPs stand|date=14 June 2016|accessdate=16 June 2016|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> Following her death, campaigning about the EU referendum was suspended for the day on both sides as a mark of respect.<ref name="telegraph"/> The BBC also announced that editions of ''[[Question Time (TV series)|Question Time]]'' and ''[[This Week (BBC TV series)|This Week]]'', two political discussion programmes scheduled to air that evening and due to focus on issues relating to the referendum, would be cancelled.<ref>{{cite news|last=Goodacre |first=Kate |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a798096/question-time-and-this-week-cancelled-by-bbc-following-the-tragic-death-of-jo-cox-mp/ |title=Question Time and This Week cancelled by BBC following the tragic death of Jo Cox MP |publisher= |work=Digital Spy |date=16 June 2016 |accessdate=16 June 2016}}</ref><ref>http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2016/06/eu-campaigning-suspended-following-death-jo-cox-mp</ref> |
Cox supported the "Remain" campaign during the [[United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016|2016 referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union]].<ref name=BBC16616>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35616946|title=EU vote: Where the cabinet and other MPs stand|date=14 June 2016|accessdate=16 June 2016|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> Following her death, campaigning about the EU referendum was suspended for the day on both sides as a mark of respect.<ref name="telegraph"/> The BBC also announced that editions of ''[[Question Time (TV series)|Question Time]]'' and ''[[This Week (BBC TV series)|This Week]]'', two political discussion programmes scheduled to air that evening and due to focus on issues relating to the referendum, would be cancelled.<ref>{{cite news|last=Goodacre |first=Kate |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a798096/question-time-and-this-week-cancelled-by-bbc-following-the-tragic-death-of-jo-cox-mp/ |title=Question Time and This Week cancelled by BBC following the tragic death of Jo Cox MP |publisher= |work=Digital Spy |date=16 June 2016 |accessdate=16 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Helen |last=Lewis |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2016/06/eu-campaigning-suspended-following-death-jo-cox-mp |title=EU campaigning suspended following death of Jo Cox MP |publisher=Progressive Media International |work=New Statesman |date=16 June 2016 |accessdate=17 June 2016}}</ref> |
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==Death== |
==Death== |
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Four hours after the incident, [[West Yorkshire Police]] announced that Cox had died at [[Leeds General Infirmary]].<ref name="guardian" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36550304|title=Jo Cox MP dead after shooting attack|publisher=BBC News|date=16 June 2016|accessdate=16 June 2016}}</ref> She was the first sitting MP to be murdered since the 1990 death of Conservative [[Ian Gow]], victim of an Irish Republican Army car bomb,<ref>{{cite news|first1=Krishnadev |last1=Calamur|first2=Matt | last2= Vasilogambros|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/news/archive/2016/06/uk-mp-jo-cox-attacked/487316/ |title=The Attack on a British MP|work=The Atlantic|date=16 June 2016|accessdate=16 June 2016|quote=As our colleague Matt Ford notes, Cox is the first MP to be assassinated in office since Ian Gow, a Conservative lawmaker who was killed in a car bombing by the Irish Republican Army in 1990.}}</ref> and it was the first serious assault on a MP since [[Stephen Timms]] was stabbed by [[Roshonara Choudhry]] in an attempted assassination in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|first=Haroon |last=Siddique|title=Attack on Jo Cox is only the latest serious assault against an MP|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/16/jo-cox-attack-latest-serious-assault-mps|date=16 June 2016|work=The Guardian|accessdate=16 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Denver |last=Nicks|title=Assassinated British MP Was a Vocal Humanitarian|url=http://time.com/4371661/jo-cox-british-mp-attack-brexit/|date=16 June 2016|work=Time|accessdate=16 June 2016}}</ref>{{efn|Another example of an attack on an MP while carrying out their constituency duties was the attack on then-MP [[Nigel Jones, Baron Jones of Cheltenham|Nigel Jones]] in 2000, resulting in the death of his assistant local councillor [[Andrew Pennington]].<ref>{{cite news|title=MP's killing raises questions about security|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36551777|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=17 June 2016|date=16 June 2016}}</ref>}} A memorial service was held at [[Birstall, West Yorkshire#Landmarks|St Peter's Church, Birstall]] the following day.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36560895|title=Jo Cox MP death: David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn unite in tributes|work=BBC News|date=17 June 2016|accessdate=17 June 2016}}</ref> |
Four hours after the incident, [[West Yorkshire Police]] announced that Cox had died at [[Leeds General Infirmary]].<ref name="guardian" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36550304|title=Jo Cox MP dead after shooting attack|publisher=BBC News|date=16 June 2016|accessdate=16 June 2016}}</ref> She was the first sitting MP to be murdered since the 1990 death of Conservative [[Ian Gow]], victim of an Irish Republican Army car bomb,<ref>{{cite news|first1=Krishnadev |last1=Calamur|first2=Matt | last2= Vasilogambros|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/news/archive/2016/06/uk-mp-jo-cox-attacked/487316/ |title=The Attack on a British MP|work=The Atlantic|date=16 June 2016|accessdate=16 June 2016|quote=As our colleague Matt Ford notes, Cox is the first MP to be assassinated in office since Ian Gow, a Conservative lawmaker who was killed in a car bombing by the Irish Republican Army in 1990.}}</ref> and it was the first serious assault on a MP since [[Stephen Timms]] was stabbed by [[Roshonara Choudhry]] in an attempted assassination in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|first=Haroon |last=Siddique|title=Attack on Jo Cox is only the latest serious assault against an MP|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/16/jo-cox-attack-latest-serious-assault-mps|date=16 June 2016|work=The Guardian|accessdate=16 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Denver |last=Nicks|title=Assassinated British MP Was a Vocal Humanitarian|url=http://time.com/4371661/jo-cox-british-mp-attack-brexit/|date=16 June 2016|work=Time|accessdate=16 June 2016}}</ref>{{efn|Another example of an attack on an MP while carrying out their constituency duties was the attack on then-MP [[Nigel Jones, Baron Jones of Cheltenham|Nigel Jones]] in 2000, resulting in the death of his assistant local councillor [[Andrew Pennington]].<ref>{{cite news|title=MP's killing raises questions about security|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36551777|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=17 June 2016|date=16 June 2016}}</ref>}} A memorial service was held at [[Birstall, West Yorkshire#Landmarks|St Peter's Church, Birstall]] the following day.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36560895|title=Jo Cox MP death: David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn unite in tributes|work=BBC News|date=17 June 2016|accessdate=17 June 2016}}</ref> |
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A 52-year-old man, who reportedly had a history of psychiatric problems and links to the American based [[Neo-Nazism|neo-Nazi]] group the [[National Alliance ( |
A 52-year-old man, who reportedly had a history of psychiatric problems and links to the American based [[Neo-Nazism|neo-Nazi]] group the [[National Alliance (United States)|National Alliance]],<ref>{{cite news|authors=Shawn Pogatchnik & Jill Lawless|title=Police probe far-right ties, mental health in Jo Cox slaying|url=http://www.bigstory.ap.org/article/a5853006291d49368aa94a6c0eedd9e7/brexit-campaigning-still-halted-uk-mourns-slain-lawmaker|work=Associated Press|date=17 June 2016|accessdate=17 June 2016}}</ref> was arrested in connection with Cox's death shortly after the attack.<ref>{{cite news|authors=Patrick Foster, Robert Mendick, & Michael Wilkinson|title=Thomas Mair: Man arrested in connection with Jo Cox attack was a 'loner' with 'history of mental health problems'|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/16/jo-cox-mp-everything-we-know-so-far-about-thomas-mair/|newspaper=Telepgraph|date=16 June 2016|accessdate=17 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|authors=Stephen Castle|title=Suspect in British Lawmaker's Killing Is Said to Have Neo-Nazi Ties|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/18/world/europe/jo-cox-attack.html?_r=0|newspaper=New York Times|date=17 June 2016|accessdate=17 June 2016}}</ref> In a statement issued the day following the attack, West Yorkshire Police stated that Cox was the victim of a "targeted attack" and that the suspect's links to far-right extremism were a "priority line of inquiry" in a search for a motive.<ref name="BoothDodd">{{cite news|first=Robert |last=Booth |first2=Vikram |last2=Dodd|url= https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/17/jo-cox-killing-suspect-far-right-links-a-priority-line-of-inquiry |title=Jo Cox killing: suspect's far-right links a 'priority line of inquiry'|work= Guardian| date=17 June 2016|accessdate=17 June 2016}}</ref> |
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Cox's husband, Brendan, issued a statement following her death, urging people to "fight against the hatred that killed her".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-36553308 |title=Jo Cox death: Husband leads tributes to shot MP |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=16 June 2016 |accessdate=16 June 2016}}</ref> Among those who paid tribute to Cox were Labour Party leader [[Jeremy Corbyn]], who described her as someone who was "dedicated to getting us to live up to our promises to support the developing world and strengthen human rights",<ref name=Time1>{{cite news|url=http://time.com/4371826/jo-cox-british-mp-tributes/|title=Tributes Pour in for Jo Cox Following British MP's Death|first=Tara|last=John|publisher=Time|accessdate=16 June 2016}}</ref> while Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] said she was "a star for her constituents, a star in parliament, and right across the house".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36552678|title=Jo Cox MP: 'We've lost a bright star' says Cameron|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=16 June 2016}}</ref> U.S. [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] [[United States presidential election, 2016|presidential candidate]] [[Hillary Clinton]] paid tribute, saying "it is cruel and terrible that her life was cut short".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36555996|title=Jo Cox death: Tributes paid in memory of killed Labour MP|publisher=BBC News|date=17 June 2016|accessdate=17 June 2016}}</ref> |
Cox's husband, Brendan, issued a statement following her death, urging people to "fight against the hatred that killed her".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-36553308 |title=Jo Cox death: Husband leads tributes to shot MP |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=16 June 2016 |accessdate=16 June 2016}}</ref> Among those who paid tribute to Cox were Labour Party leader [[Jeremy Corbyn]], who described her as someone who was "dedicated to getting us to live up to our promises to support the developing world and strengthen human rights",<ref name=Time1>{{cite news|url=http://time.com/4371826/jo-cox-british-mp-tributes/|title=Tributes Pour in for Jo Cox Following British MP's Death|first=Tara|last=John|publisher=Time|accessdate=16 June 2016}}</ref> while Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] said she was "a star for her constituents, a star in parliament, and right across the house".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36552678|title=Jo Cox MP: 'We've lost a bright star' says Cameron|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=16 June 2016}}</ref> U.S. [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] [[United States presidential election, 2016|presidential candidate]] [[Hillary Clinton]] paid tribute, saying "it is cruel and terrible that her life was cut short".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36555996|title=Jo Cox death: Tributes paid in memory of killed Labour MP|publisher=BBC News|date=17 June 2016|accessdate=17 June 2016}}</ref> |
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Member of |
{{s-ttl|title=[[Member of Parliament (UK)|Member of Parliament]]<br>for [[Batley and Spen (UK Parliament constituency)|Batley and Spen]]|years=[[United Kingdom general election, 2015|2015]]–[[Batley and Spen by-election, 2016|2016]]}} |
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Revision as of 22:55, 17 June 2016
Jo Cox | |
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![]() Cox in 2015 | |
Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen | |
In office 8 May 2015 – 16 June 2016 | |
Preceded by | Mike Wood |
Succeeded by | Vacant |
Majority | 6,051 (12.00%)[1] |
Personal details | |
Born | Helen Joanne Leadbeater 22 June 1974 Batley, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
Died | 16 June 2016 Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom | (aged 41)
Political party | Labour |
Spouse | Brendan Cox |
Children | 2 |
Education | Heckmondwike Grammar School |
Alma mater | Pembroke College, Cambridge London School of Economics |
Website | Official website |
Helen Joanne "Jo" Cox[2] (née Leadbeater;[3] 22 June 1974 – 16 June 2016) was a British Labour Party politician. She was the Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency of Batley and Spen from her election in May 2015 until her death 13 months later in June 2016, having retained the seat with an increased majority for Labour in the 2015 general election.[4]
Born in Batley, West Yorkshire, and raised in nearby Heckmondwike, Cox graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1995 before working as a political assistant. She then joined the international humanitarian charity Oxfam, where she rose to become head of policy and advocacy at Oxfam GB. She was selected to contest the Batley and Spen constituency after the previous incumbent decided not to stand again in 2015. Having retained the seat for Labour, she became a campaigner on issues relating to the Syrian Civil War, and also founded and chaired the all-party parliamentary group Friends of Syria.
On 16 June 2016, Cox was shot and stabbed multiple times in Birstall, where she had been due to hold a constituency surgery. She died from her injuries about an hour later. A 52-year-old man was arrested in connection with the attack.[5]
Early life and education
Cox was born on 22 June 1974 in Batley, West Yorkshire, England, and raised in Heckmondwike. Her mother was a school secretary while her father worked in a toothpaste and hairspray factory.[6] She was educated at Heckmondwike Grammar School, a state grammar school, where she was head girl. During summers, she worked packing toothpaste.[6]
Cox studied Social and Political Sciences at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and graduated from the University of Cambridge with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1995. She was the first in her family to attend at university. She later studied at the London School of Economics.[1][7][8][9][10] She later recalled that her experience at Cambridge, where family pedigrees were viewed as important, "knocked me for about five years".[1]
Career
Early career
Following her graduation, Cox worked as an adviser to Labour MP Joan Walley, before moving to Brussels to spend two years advising Glenys Kinnock, who was then a Member of the European Parliament.[1] Cox worked for the aid groups Oxfam and Oxfam International between 2001 and 2009, serving first in Brussels as the leader of the group's trade-reform campaign, becoming head of policy and advocacy of Oxfam GB in 2005, and then becoming head of Oxfam International's humanitarian campaigns in New York in 2007.[11] Her work at Oxfam, including meeting disadvantaged groups in Darfur and Afghanistan, influenced her political career.[1]
Cox's charity work later led to a role advising Sarah Brown (the wife of former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown), who was spearheading a campaign to prevent deaths in pregnancy and childbirth.[6][12] Cox was national chair of the Labour Women's Network and a senior adviser to the Freedom Fund, an anti-slavery charity.[8][9]
Political career
Cox was nominated by the Labour Party to contest the Batley and Spen seat being vacated by Mike Wood in the 2015 general election.[13] She was selected as a candidate for a seat via an all-women shortlist.[1] The Batley and Spen constituency is generally a safe seat for Labour,[14] and Cox won the seat with 43.2% of the vote, increasing Labour's majority to 6,051.[4][1]
Cox made her maiden speech in the House of Commons on 3 June 2015, using it to celebrate her constituency's ethnic diversity, while highlighting the economic challenges facing the community and urging the government to rethink its approach to economic regeneration.[15] She was one of 36 Labour MPs to nominate Jeremy Corbyn as a candidate in the Labour leadership election of 2015, but said at the time that she had done so in order to get him on the list and encourage a broad debate.[16] In the election she voted for Liz Kendall,[17] and announced on 6 May 2016 after the local elections that she and fellow MP Neil Coyle regretted nominating Corbyn.[18]
The Syrian conflict was one of Cox's main campaigning issues.[10] In October 2015 she co-authored, with Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell, an article in The Observer arguing that British military forces could help achieve an ethical solution to the conflict in Syria.[19] During that month Cox launched the All Party Parliamentary Friends of Syria group, becoming its chair.[20][21] In the subsequent vote to approve UK military intervention against ISIL in Syria, Cox abstained (one of five Labour MPs to do so),[1] as she did not consider the intervention to be part of an effective comprehensive strategy to tackle the Syrian conflict including dealing with President Bashar al-Assad.[10][22] She was described as "a tireless campaigner" for refugees.[23]
Cox was a parliamentary supporter of the Labour Friends of Palestine & the Middle East,[24] and called for the lifting of the blockade of the Gaza Strip.[25] She had opposed efforts by the government to curtail the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, and has stated "I believe that this is a gross attack on democratic freedoms. Not only is it right to boycott unethical companies but it is our right to do so."[26]
Cox supported the "Remain" campaign during the 2016 referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union.[27] Following her death, campaigning about the EU referendum was suspended for the day on both sides as a mark of respect.[11] The BBC also announced that editions of Question Time and This Week, two political discussion programmes scheduled to air that evening and due to focus on issues relating to the referendum, would be cancelled.[28][29]
Death
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/Library_and_Information_Centre_-_Market_Street%2C_Birstall_-_geograph.org.uk_-_491799.jpg/220px-Library_and_Information_Centre_-_Market_Street%2C_Birstall_-_geograph.org.uk_-_491799.jpg)
On 16 June 2016, Cox was fatally shot and stabbed outside a library in Birstall, West Yorkshire, prior to attending a constituency surgery scheduled for 1:00 pm.[11][30]
According to eyewitnesses, she was shot three times—once near the head—and stabbed multiple times. A 77-year-old man was also stabbed while trying to prevent her death. Initial reports indicated that the assailant shouted "Britain first" as he carried out the attack.[11] The far-right Britain First party issued a statement denying any involvement or encouragement in the attack and suggested that the phrase "could have been a slogan rather than a reference to our party".[31][32]
Four hours after the incident, West Yorkshire Police announced that Cox had died at Leeds General Infirmary.[30][33] She was the first sitting MP to be murdered since the 1990 death of Conservative Ian Gow, victim of an Irish Republican Army car bomb,[34] and it was the first serious assault on a MP since Stephen Timms was stabbed by Roshonara Choudhry in an attempted assassination in 2010.[35][36][a] A memorial service was held at St Peter's Church, Birstall the following day.[38]
A 52-year-old man, who reportedly had a history of psychiatric problems and links to the American based neo-Nazi group the National Alliance,[39] was arrested in connection with Cox's death shortly after the attack.[40][41] In a statement issued the day following the attack, West Yorkshire Police stated that Cox was the victim of a "targeted attack" and that the suspect's links to far-right extremism were a "priority line of inquiry" in a search for a motive.[42]
Cox's husband, Brendan, issued a statement following her death, urging people to "fight against the hatred that killed her".[43] Among those who paid tribute to Cox were Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who described her as someone who was "dedicated to getting us to live up to our promises to support the developing world and strengthen human rights",[44] while Prime Minister David Cameron said she was "a star for her constituents, a star in parliament, and right across the house".[45] U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton paid tribute, saying "it is cruel and terrible that her life was cut short".[46]
Personal life
Cox was married to Brendan Cox, who served as an adviser on international development to Gordon Brown during the latter's premiership.[47][48] They had two children,[8] who were aged three and five when their mother died.[49]
Cox's family divided their time between their constituency home and a houseboat (a converted barge) on the Thames, moored near Tower Bridge, London.[1][10]
See also
Notes
- ^ Another example of an attack on an MP while carrying out their constituency duties was the attack on then-MP Nigel Jones in 2000, resulting in the death of his assistant local councillor Andrew Pennington.[37]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Jo Cox obituary: Proud Yorkshire lass who became local MP". BBC News. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ "No. 61230". The London Gazette. 18 May 2015.
- ^ Carr, Tim; Dale, Iain; Waller, Robert (18 May 2015). The Politicos Guide to the New House of Commons 2015: Profiles of the New MPs and Analysis of the 2015 General Election Results. Biteback Publishing. ISBN 9781849549240.
- ^ a b "Batley & Spen Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
- ^ "Jo Cox MP dead after shooting attack". BBC News. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ a b c "Jo Cox profile: The Yorkshire lass who achieved her 'dream' of representing her hometown in Westminster". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ 'COX, Helen Joanne, (Jo)', Who's Who 2016, A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 2016
- ^ a b c Martin, Shaw (12 May 2014). "Women's campaigner Jo Cox chosen as Labour candidate to fight next General Election in Batley & Spen". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ^ a b "Jo Cox". The Labour Party. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- ^ a b c d "'I've been in some horrific situations' – MP". Yorkshire Post. 26 December 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- ^ a b c d Boyle, Danny (16 June 2016). "Labour MP Jo Cox dies after being shot and stabbed in her constituency near Leeds". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ Hope, Christopher (10 June 2014). "Oxfam: MPs shocked by 'disgraceful' political campaigning". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
- ^ Shaw, Martin (12 May 2014). "Women's campaigner Jo Cox chosen as Labour candidate to fight next General Election in Batley & Spen". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ Castle, Stephen; Bock, Pauline (16 June 2016). "Jo Cox, Member of British Parliament, Is Killed in Attack". New York Times. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ "Devolution And Growth Across Britain". Hansard. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "Maiden speech made by new MP Cox before nominating Corbyn". Batley & Birstall News. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ Grice, Andrew; Wright, Oliver (10 September 2015). "Labour moderates plot fightback aimed at regaining control of party in the event of Jeremy Corbyn victory". The Independent. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ^ Cox, Jo; Coyle, Neil (6 May 2016). "We nominated Jeremy Corbyn for the leadership. Now we regret it". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ^ Mitchell, Andrew; Cox, Jo (11 October 2015). "British forces could help achieve an ethical solution in Syria". The Observer. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
- ^ Helm, Toby; Boffey, Daniel (10 October 2015). "More than 50 Labour MPs to defy Jeremy Corbyn in vote on Syria". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- ^ Proctor, Kate (12 February 2016). "Jo Cox: Syrian ceasefire tipped in President Assad and Russia's favour". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- ^ Cox, Jo (2 December 2015). "With Regret, I Feel I Have No Other Option But to Abstain on Syria". Huffington Post. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ^ "Jo Cox obituary: The Labour MP who campaigned tirelessly for refugees". The Independent. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ "Parliamentary supporters". Labour Friends of Palestine & the Middle East. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Making the progressive case for peace in Palestine and Israel: Labour Party policies to support the rule of law and human rights" (PDF). Labour Friends of Palestine & the Middle East. December 2015. pp. 10–12. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Have your say: Israel boycott ban". Jo Cox MP. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "EU vote: Where the cabinet and other MPs stand". BBC News. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ Goodacre, Kate (16 June 2016). "Question Time and This Week cancelled by BBC following the tragic death of Jo Cox MP". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ Lewis, Helen (16 June 2016). "EU campaigning suspended following death of Jo Cox MP". New Statesman. Progressive Media International. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ a b Booth, Robert; Dodd, Vikram; Parveen, Nazia (16 June 2016). "Labour MP Jo Cox has died after being shot and stabbed". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ Hartley-Parkinson, Richard (16 June 2016). "MP Jo Cox shot outside Birstall library by man shouting 'Britain First'". Metro. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
Britain First obviously is NOT involved and would never encourage behaviour of this sort.
- ^ Boyle, Danny (16 June 2016). "Britain First party leader 'just as shocked as everyone else'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
Jo Cox is obviously an MP campaigning to keep Britain in the EU so if it was shouted by the attacker it could have been a slogan rather than a reference to our party - we just don't know.
- ^ "Jo Cox MP dead after shooting attack". BBC News. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ Calamur, Krishnadev; Vasilogambros, Matt (16 June 2016). "The Attack on a British MP". The Atlantic. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
As our colleague Matt Ford notes, Cox is the first MP to be assassinated in office since Ian Gow, a Conservative lawmaker who was killed in a car bombing by the Irish Republican Army in 1990.
- ^ Siddique, Haroon (16 June 2016). "Attack on Jo Cox is only the latest serious assault against an MP". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ Nicks, Denver (16 June 2016). "Assassinated British MP Was a Vocal Humanitarian". Time. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ "MP's killing raises questions about security". BBC News. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Jo Cox MP death: David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn unite in tributes". BBC News. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Police probe far-right ties, mental health in Jo Cox slaying". Associated Press. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
{{cite news}}
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ignored (help) - ^ "Thomas Mair: Man arrested in connection with Jo Cox attack was a 'loner' with 'history of mental health problems'". Telepgraph. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
{{cite news}}
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ignored (help) - ^ "Suspect in British Lawmaker's Killing Is Said to Have Neo-Nazi Ties". New York Times. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
{{cite news}}
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ignored (help) - ^ Booth, Robert; Dodd, Vikram (17 June 2016). "Jo Cox killing: suspect's far-right links a 'priority line of inquiry'". Guardian. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Jo Cox death: Husband leads tributes to shot MP". BBC News. BBC. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ John, Tara. "Tributes Pour in for Jo Cox Following British MP's Death". Time. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ "Jo Cox MP: 'We've lost a bright star' says Cameron". BBC News. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ "Jo Cox death: Tributes paid in memory of killed Labour MP". BBC News. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ Sims, Alexandra (16 June 2016). "Jo Cox dead: MP's husband Brendan Cox says wife was killed by 'hate'". Independent. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ "Husband posts picture on Twitter of MP wife outside their houseboat". The Daily Telegraph. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ "MP Jo Cox killed in appalling street attack". SKY News. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- 1974 births
- 2016 deaths
- Alumni of Pembroke College, Cambridge
- Alumni of the London School of Economics
- Assassinated English politicians
- Deaths by firearm in England
- Deaths by stabbing in England
- Female members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for English constituencies
- Labour Party (UK) MPs
- Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for English constituencies
- Murder in 2016
- Oxfam people
- People educated at Heckmondwike Grammar School
- People from Batley
- UK MPs 2015–20