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Legacy of Jo Cox
11 June 2026
Lead MP
Alison McGovern
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Community SecurityDemocracy & Elections
Other Contributors: 58
At a Glance
Alison McGovern raised concerns about legacy of jo cox in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
I thank Jo’s family for their leadership and friendship, praising the tenacity and guts that have inspired others. I commend Kim Leadbeater for stepping into public life and continuing Jo Cox's legacy in advocating for physical activity, addressing loneliness, community support, green spaces access, and building on Jo's foundation. The debate is held amidst the backdrop of distressing events in Belfast, highlighting the importance of combating hateful rhetoric and its consequences.
Alison McGovern
Lab
Wirral South
She acknowledges the impact of Jo Cox's brief but impactful parliamentary career, emphasising her work on international development, physical challenges she undertook, and inclusive approach. She mentions the achievements in Jo’s name over ten years, including the Jo Cox Women in Leadership programme and Great Get Together events.
She recognises Kim Leadbeater's embodiment of her sister Jo Cox’s legacy, fostering cross-party unity. She notes that there is more that unites than divides us across political lines.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
He recalls the tragic day Jo was murdered and expresses his admiration for her courage and advocacy. He extends thoughts to her family and highlights her determination, noting that she is still remembered fondly by those who knew her.
Jeff Smith
Lab
Manchester, Withington
He praises Jo as a shining star of the 2015 intake, loved by all for her passionate advocacy and work on Syria. He mentions the Syrian diaspora community in Manchester's fond memories of Jo.
Andrew Mitchell
Con
Sutton Coldfield
Recalled his friendship and collaboration with Jo Cox, emphasising her commitment to international development and peace. He highlighted the importance of bipartisanship in political work and criticised recent cuts to international aid by both Conservative and Labour governments.
Kim Leadbeater
Lab
Spen Valley
Recalled her childhood with Jo Cox and the values instilled by their parents. She highlighted Jo's dedication to public service and the foundation established in her name, which works on issues such as loneliness, community cohesion, and human rights. Kim emphasised that while polarisation dominates public life, it is important to focus on rebuilding respectful dialogue and teaching media literacy to combat misinformation.
Anna Dixon
Lab
Brent Central
Commended Kim Leadbeater for her bravery in continuing Jo Cox's work. Anna highlighted the ongoing issue of abuse and threats against MPs and emphasised the importance of upholding civility in politics.
Katie Lam
Con
Newcastle upon Tyne North
Recognised Kim Leadbeater for her remarkable bravery in stepping into Jo Cox's shoes. She noted Jo's compassion and empathy, stating that it was a testament to who she was.
Tonia Antoniazzi
Lab
Gower
Praised the work of the Jo Cox Foundation and Kim Leadbeater for their efforts in promoting community cohesion. She highlighted the importance of coming together and supporting each other, celebrating the positive aspects of society.
Rachel Gilmour
SNP
North East Fife
Commended Jo Cox's legacy and its impact on new MPs entering the House of Commons. She highlighted Sir David Amess’s initiative to establish a Children’s Parliament, aiming for intergenerational learning about politics.
Zubir Ahmed
Lab
Feltham and Heston
Recalled his experience during Jo Cox's murder and expressed admiration for Kim Leadbeater. He argued that the toxicity in society is increasingly present on social media, necessitating regulation to protect young people's mental health.
Susan Murray
SNP
Mid Dunbartonshire
Honoured Jo Cox by emphasising the importance of practical, human and compassionate politics that turns sympathy into action. Highlighted examples such as her work on Syria and the Great Get Together initiative to combat racial hatred and promote community engagement.
Jess Phillips
Lab
Birmingham, Yardley
Shared personal experiences of friendship with Jo Cox, emphasising how she was a doer who made connections for others. Noted Cox's impact on encouraging women to enter politics and the importance of being courageous and brave in political work. Criticised divisive political rhetoric and urged fellow MPs to prioritise good outcomes for the country.
Siân Berry
Green
Bristol West
Joined tributes to Jo Cox by praising her sister and fellow parliamentarians. Recalled meeting Jo Cox's family during the EU referendum campaign, emphasising the importance of politics as a means of resolving differences through communication rather than violence. Highlighted Jo Cox’s legacy in promoting community resilience against hate, referencing the More in Common Network’s work. Stressed the urgency of fostering community unity and mutual respect to prevent anger from escalating into violence. Cited Caroline Lucas's experiences engaging with people of differing political views, emphasising the importance of seeking common ground.
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
Emphasised the importance of acknowledging imperfections and striving for improvement in politics. He praised Jo Cox's ability to bring people together, regardless of whether they knew her personally or not. He highlighted the need for courage, kindness, and strength in politics, as exemplified by Jo Cox. Streeting also stressed the significance of recognising commonalities among people despite differences, advocating for a united front against division and polarisation. He concluded by encouraging politicians to embody the values that made Britain great, focusing on unity, compassion, and progress.
Iqbal Mohamed
Lab
Dewsbury and Batley
Honoured to speak in the debate, Iqbal Mohamed emphasised Jo Cox's legacy of tolerance, fairness, and kindness. He highlighted the importance of building bridges rather than walls, especially in light of recent unrest across the UK. He criticised the role of big tech and social media in poisoning public discourse and undermining democratic civility. Mohamed called for stricter regulation to hold those with large platforms accountable for their impact on society and democracy. He also stressed the need to address loneliness as a critical issue, advocating for digital literacy to help people navigate online spaces safely and critically.
Carolyn Harris
Lab
Swansea East
Honours the memory of Jo Cox, a fellow Labour MP who was tragically killed in 2015. Emphasises her values of unity and diversity, noting that she stood for what is right and never shied away from calling out injustice. Recalls Jo's invitation to celebrate their first year as MPs and remembers her as passionate, dedicated, and a remarkable individual who used her platform to support marginalized groups. Advocates continuing Jo’s work in promoting women in politics, combating abuse of female MPs, and improving menopause support. Urges colleagues from all parties to remember and amplify Jo's message.
Jim McMahon
Lab
Oldham West and Royton
Mr McMahon discussed the challenges of being a new MP during a by-election, highlighting Jo Cox's support as an example of unity. He emphasised the importance of addressing division through leadership, regulation, and economic fairness. He also addressed social media's role in amplifying extremism and called for action to ensure that MPs are not profiting from their posts on these platforms.
Nia Griffith
Lab
Llanelli
Pays tribute to Jo Cox for her work both before and during her time as an MP, highlighting her impact in developing countries and her principled approach. Also mentions the tragic murder of David Amess. Commemorates the 10th anniversary of Jo Cox’s death by announcing two events: launching the Llanelli More in Common partnership on Friday 19 June to bring people together, and hosting a Great Get Together picnic on Saturday 20 June. Condemns recent violent scenes across UK towns and appeals for an end to online abuse towards trans people. Stresses the importance of tackling loneliness and promoting community cohesion.
Rushanara Ali
Lab
Bethnal Green and Bow
Pays tribute to Jo Cox, highlighting her work as a politician, feminist, socialist, internationalist, mother, wife, sister, friend and Member of Parliament. Mentions her advocacy for Syrian refugees and her belief in humanity, strong institutions, and collaboration between Governments and peoples to tackle global issues. Emphasises the importance of unity and inclusion amidst increasing hostility and hate in society, calling for stronger measures against online hate and extremism.
Intervenes to pay tribute to Jo Cox's role in Tower Hamlets, highlighting her transformative impact on the constituency and local politics despite challenging conditions.
Alison McGovern
Lab
Wirral South
Pays tribute to Rushanara Ali for being an incredible champion for all she stands for in the House of Commons.
Jim McMahon
Lab
Oldham West and Royton
Supports Rushanara Ali's call for stronger intervention from the system against hostility and malign forces, criticising the inconsistent approach to online threats by police forces across different regions.
Agrees with the need to dial down rhetoric in Parliament, citing an incident of violence as a result of inflammatory language. Suggests adopting cross-party approaches and regional seating arrangements similar to the Swedish Parliament for more consensual politics.
Dawn Butler
Lab
Brent Central
Dawn Butler spoke about the legacy of Jo Cox, sharing a personal anecdote about a boat party hosted by Jo in 2015 and expressing her shock at Jo’s tragic death. She emphasised the need to legislate against social media companies that promote hate content, arguing that they should be held accountable for their actions. Butler also highlighted the importance of political parties enforcing higher standards of conduct and called for more protection for elected representatives from online harms. She concluded by reading a poem about a brave woman, invoking Jo Cox’s memory.
Kim Leadbeater thanked Dawn Butler for mentioning Bernard Kenny, the hero who tried to save Jo Cox on that fateful day, and shared her personal connection with Bernard's son, Phil Kenny, who was also a teacher of Jo and Kim.
Iqbal Mohamed agreed with Dawn Butler’s call for government action against social media companies by hitting them in their profits. He drew parallels to age limits on harmful products such as alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs, suggesting that similar regulations are needed for content causing significant harm.
Sarah Smith warned about the historical precedent of unregulated media leading to catastrophic outcomes, referencing the first world war era in Germany. She urged caution and action to prevent a repeat of history's mistakes regarding unchecked new media platforms.
Apsana Begum
Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
Expressed gratitude to her colleagues for their contributions and paid tribute to Jo Cox's work. She discussed the ongoing challenges faced by women in politics, including threats of violence and abuse. Emphasised the importance of tackling loneliness and social isolation through a new cross-Government action plan and the need for better protection for survivors of domestic abuse in political contexts.
Amanda Martin
Lab
Portsmouth South
Jo Cox’s legacy is a call for action to promote women's leadership and civility in politics. She was committed to opening doors for those who had been excluded, especially women. Amanda highlights the Jo Cox Women in Leadership programme she participated in, which provided her with skills, confidence, solidarity, and a supportive network. She criticises the current political climate where abuse and intimidation are commonplace, urging MPs to challenge divisive politics and maintain respectful debate. Citing the Electoral Commission report, she notes that 70% of candidates experienced abuse during the 2024 election, with women and ethnic minority candidates facing the most severe forms. She calls for an end to hostility towards those in public life and stresses the importance of supporting women in politics to strengthen democracy.
Amanda Hack
Lab
South Leicestershire
Honoured the legacy of Jo Cox, emphasising her work on community strength and respect. Highlighted the issue of loneliness in communities, noting that 7% of adults in England reported feeling lonely often or always post-pandemic, with a higher proportion among disabled individuals. Also mentioned new mothers, gender identity issues, long-term unemployed people, and those financially struggling as groups more prone to persistent loneliness. Emphasised the importance of community cohesion for tackling isolation and division.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh East
Emphasised the importance of remembering Jo Cox's legacy ten years after her tragic death. He praised her commitment to public service and her efforts to combat racial hatred and division. Mr. Arthur also noted his concern about the cut in overseas aid, reflecting on a conversation with young people at Balerno high school who raised this issue. He highlighted the work of Evie, an intern in his office and part of the Jo Cox Women in Leadership programme, as an example of Jo's legacy continuing to inspire future leaders. He concluded by stressing the need for unity against hatred and division.
Emily Darlington
Con
Milton Keynes North
Ms Darlington shared personal reflections on her friendship with Jo Cox, focusing on their roles in the Labour Women's Network and their efforts to encourage more women to engage in politics. She highlighted the impact of Jo's death in Kenya and how they supported Brendan, Jo's husband, and their children after her passing. Ms Darlington emphasised the importance of diversity and inclusivity in communities and expressed concerns about the current environment for female MPs. She also praised Jo's influence on their families and communities.
Kim Leadbeater
Lab
Spen Valley
In an intervention, Ms Leadbeater acknowledged her sister’s legacy and thanked others for remembering Jo Cox with positivity rather than anger.
Sarah Smith
Lab
Hyndburn
Honours Jo Cox's legacy and emphasises the importance of unity in a divided society. Cites an ONS survey indicating that about 40% of 16 to 29-year-olds have felt lonely at times. Criticises online platforms for enabling polarisation and misinformation, urging tech companies and the Government to protect young people from these threats. Highlights the issue of 'tragedy trollers' targeting grieving families like Debbie Duncan's after her son Jay's death in Tenerife. Advocates for action against online abuse and misinformation, calling for a confrontation of hostility that undermines community and democracy.
Kim Leadbeater
Lab
Spen Valley
Emphasised Jo Cox's role as a mother and family member, shared updates on her children, Cuillin and Lejla.
Susan Murray
SNP
Mid Dunbartonshire
Stressed the importance of tackling loneliness in society.
Jess Phillips
Lab
Birmingham Yardley
Underlined the importance of friendship, family and political courage.
Siân Berry
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Highlighted Jo Cox's leadership in building united communities.
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
Emphasised the importance of 'more in common' and appropriate disagreement, noted harmony among MPs despite media focus on divisions.
Iqbal Mohamed
Lab
Dewsbury and Batley
Called for confronting reckless and inflammatory language, highlighted those who enable such discourse.
Carolyn Harris
Lab
Neath and Swansea East
Called for more politicians like Jo Cox and praised her contributions to society.
Jim McMahon
Lab
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Stressed the importance of simple courtesy in politics both inside and outside Parliament.
Nia Griffith
PC
Llanelli
Called for focus on online safety and tackling loneliness, thanked others for comments about Sir David Amess.
Rushanara Ali
Lab
Bethnal Green and Stepney
Highlighted the personal cost of coming into politics today, particularly for women.
Dawn Butler
Lab
Brent East
Shared experiences from her radio show battles against social media trolls and thanked Iain Dale for his support.
Apsana Begum
Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
Discussed work with the Jo Cox Foundation, faced appalling abuse on social media which she condemned strongly.
Amanda Martin
Green
Portsmouth North
Talked about the Jo Cox Foundation and Women in Leadership programme, highlighted threats faced by candidates in 2024 general election.
Amanda Hack
Con
North West Leicestershire
Emphasised the impact of the Jo Cox Foundation in her constituency and importance of continuing work locally.
Philippa Arthur
Liberal Democrats
Edinburgh South West
Discussed diversity of political views in the Arthur family, invited others to campaign against international development cuts.
Emily Darlington
Green
Milton Keynes Central
Shared stories about her and Jo's pregnancies and their work as mums, talked about efforts to make the House more friendly to mums and children.
Sarah Smith
Con
Hyndburn
Discussed the legacy of Jo Cox, highlighted the connectedness and disconnection in society today.
Alison McGovern
Lab
Wirral South
Thanked all participants in the debate and praised contributions, emphasising Jo Cox's legacy and importance. She highlighted various aspects of her work such as fighting loneliness, advocating for Syrian civilians, and promoting community values.
David Taylor
Lab
Coventry North West
Praised the incredible work done by Jo Cox for Syria and thanked colleagues who continued this work after her death. He mentioned the gratitude of the Syrian people towards these efforts.
Mark Francois
Con
Rayleigh and Wickford
Mr Francois raised a point of order regarding the resignation of the former Defence Secretary over the Government's failure to publish the defence investment plan, questioning if there will be a statement from the Government before the House rises today. He emphasised that with ongoing conflicts and instability, the publication of the DIP is essential for national security.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Ms Nokes responded to Mr Francois's point of order, stating she had not been informed that the Government wished to make a statement on this matter or on the timetable for the publication of the defence investment plan.
Ms Collins raised a point of order expressing appreciation for contributions about Jo Cox and highlighting the case of Rasika, a care worker, and his wife Chamila, a teaching assistant in her constituency. They have been told to leave within 14 days despite being pillars of the community, prompting Ms Collins to seek urgent action from the Minister and Home Office.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Ms Nokes responded to Ms Collins's point of order by suggesting she consults the Table Office for mechanisms through which she can pursue her matter further, as it is not a matter for the Chair.
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