Murdered Labour MP Jo Cox
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan has paid tribute to Labour MP Jo Cox who died yesterday following a fatal attack in Birstall, West Yorkshire.
Mr Durkan described her as someone who lived and worked to right wrongs and who practised the idea of ‘every child is our child’.
“Jo Cox was someone who showed enormous reserves of strength in her life which she put to the service of others.
“I would have chatted with Jo over a cup of tea in the Members’ Tea Room at Westminster. We had many of the same interests and took part in many of the same debates there. I also knew Jo before she was an MP with her role in Oxfam and the Freedom Fund. Only a year ago this week, I seconded the first Early Day Motion which she tabled.
“I admired her strength of view, and particular insights in debates – not least on Gaza. Indeed, I remember her making the point in one debate that she believed there would be peace in the Middle East in her lifetime.
“That memory of her saying ‘in my lifetime’ struck a particular chord with me yesterday when I was utterly shocked to learn of her death.
“Jo brought a huge empathy to her role as MP, as well as particular insights due to her involvement in a number of causes.
“She also brought a particular passion and compassion to the situation in Syria and the refugee crisis arising from there.
“She worked with others across party lines and beyond politics to help to mobilise more humanitarian engagement and attention to ‘atrocity prevention’.
“Jo was also a rooted constituency MP – strong for her communities and county and an articulate advocate of people’s needs, rights and circumstances – reflecting her constituents’ experiences and expectations.
“To see someone who believed so strongly in peace and the rights of others lose their life in such a brutal way is just dreadful.
“The guts and gusto she showed as a fighter for justice defended others but could not protect her from vulnerability to hateful violence.
“Jo was also one of those people who practised the idea of ‘every child is our child’ – which is so poignant when we consider the tragic circumstances of her children now.
“She always cared for all children in the way we now think of hers.
“While no words can console her family on the loss of such a special person, I hope that everyone’s heartfelt sympathy and support will bring them some comfort at this very sad time,” he added.