MP’s sister pledges to honour memory three years after her election
JO COX’S sister will mark three years since the former Labour MP was elected to Parliament by pledging to carry on honouring her memory.
Kim Leadbeater said the murdered Batley and Spen MP, who was elected at the 2015 General Election, was “over the moon” to have won the vote to serve the area she grew up in.
“Jo’s life and her career were cruelly cut short just over a year later. I recently celebrated my 42nd birthday and it was tough because Jo, my older sister, never got to see 42,” Ms Leadbeater added.
“What has helped get us through as a family is the amazing way that so many people all over the country have joined with us in keeping her memory and the values she stood for alive.”
She added: “Most of all today, I just want to say thank you to everybody who has got behind our efforts to build stronger communities and heal some of the divisions in society.
“Jo believed passionately that no problem was too difficult to overcome. I owe it to her to be guided by that in the months and years ahead.”
Millions of people took part in get-togethers on the anniversary of Mrs Cox’s 2016 murder, which saw street parties and community events take place, including dozens across the region.
Another weekend of events is planned for this June. This year’s theme is “building bridges”, with Ms Leadbeater taking a prominent role. It is an effort to show that Mrs Cox was right in her maiden speech to Parliament when she said we have “more in common” than that which divides us.
For more information about next month’s events visit www. greatgettogether.org.