TRIBUTE TO MURDERED MP JO UNVEILED BY HER CHILDREN
Youngsters designed coat of arms that’s been installed in Commons
MURDERED MP Jo Cox has been honoured by having a coat of arms unveiled in Parliament by her two children. Cuillin, six, and Lejla, four, designed the memorial plaque which was installed in the Commons chamber as part of a “family day” in Parliament.
MPs and staff were encouraged to bring their children into the chamber, and there was a special question time where the youngsters quizzed Commons Speaker John Bercow on how Parliament works.
Inspired by Mrs Cox’s maiden speech, which contained the line “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us”, the plaque bears the motto “More in Common”.
It also has elements to show Mrs Cox’s love of rivers and mountains and her support for women, as well as four roses to represent each of her family members – two red for Labour and two white for Yorkshire.
The unveiling – which was rescheduled due to the General Election – comes shortly after the first anniversary of the Labour MP’s murder by right-wing extremist Thomas Mair as she arrived to host a surgery in her Batley and Spen constituency.
Earlier this month events were held across the UK in memory of Mrs Cox. The Great Get Together saw people enjoy small picnics and community events across the UK. MPs in Cardiff took part. Jo Stevens, Labour MP for Cardiff, said at the time: “After a year of very divisive politics across the UK, this weekend marks the anniversary of the murder of Jo and an opportunity for all communities to come together to celebrate what we have in common. I’ll be attending events around Cardiff Central, from picnics to street parties, all of which have been organ- ised by volunteers – and I’m really looking forward to sharing memories of Jo with constituents.”
MPs killed while in office are traditionally remembered by heraldic shields in the Commons.
As well as honouring MPs who fell in military campaigns, there are also shields in memory of Conservative MP Ian Gow, killed by an IRA car bomb in 1990, and Tory shadow Northern Ireland secretary Airey Neave, who died in a car bomb attack in Westminster in 1979.