MP’s murder is an attack on all politicians
Some moments you never forget.
I came out of my office in parliament last Thursday afternoon, having been absorbed in a series of meetings for several hours.
I had heard earlier in the day that the Labour MP Jo Cox had been attacked in her constituency. I assumed all would be well.
I was stunned, however, to see the breaking news that Mrs Cox had died from her injuries.
It was one of those moments of profound shock. These things are never supposed to happen. Members of Parliament in this country don’t get attacked or, unimaginably, murdered. They should be free to act on behalf of those they represent without jeopardy to their personal safety or their lives. It had, however, tragically happened.
The most important thought at this time is the great sympathy for Brendan Cox and the couple’s two young children and for her parents, having to come to terms with the untimely loss of their daughter.
They are enduring a shocking grief that they should not now have to endure. They will have a long journey of recovery and deserve our support and empathy.
The murder of Jo Cox is a truly shocking event for parliamentarians to consider. One of the fundamental strengths of our parliamentary representative system is that parliamentarians must be accessible to the people they represent. Members of the public must be able to seek the help of their representatives. They must be able to express their views to their representatives and they must be able to hold their representatives to account.
I would find it impossible to undertake my duties as a Member of the Scottish Parliament if I wasn’t accessible to my constituents. I hear the views of my constituents at surgeries, in my office, at the shops, in cafes, at the school gate, at community galas.
I cannot conceive of how I can do this job if I am not able to freely go about my constituency, listening to the views of those I represent, so that is what I intend to carry on doing. My constituents must have the ability to bend my ear when they want to.
This senseless act has taken place at a time of intense political debate around the EU referendum.
Feelings are running high and there is a lot at stake. The language of the debate has been very poor, the tone has been negative and the mood has been pretty uninspiring.
For me the question is simple.
My parents’generation had to endure war on their doorstep. My generation and my children’s generation have not. Those peaceful conditions have been a product of the voluntary cooperation between countries created by the European Union.
Although the EU may not be perfect, the creation of that peaceful Europe is, for me, worth voting for.
I will vote Remain and I urge my constituents to do so as well.