A Conservative spokesperson has announced today that the party will not actively oppose the bi-election to fill the Batley and Spen seat left after the death of Jo Cox yesterday.
In a statement, the spokesperson said; ‘Following the tragic killing of Labour MP Jo Cox, the Conservative Party has decided not to contest the forthcoming by-election as a mark of respect to a much-loved and respected politician.’
Since the sad news of Jo Cox’s untimely and tragic death, numerous tributes have been made to commemorate the late MP. Former Conservative chairman Grant Shapps stated on Twitter; ‘I hope that in the sad by-election to follow, Jo Cox’s constituency is left uncontested as a tribute to Jo’s extraordinary public service.’
The Liberal Democrats and UKIP have also come forward that they will not fight the Labour seat, as a mark of respect to Cox.
Jo Cox was the representative MP for Batley and Spen
The sad news of the killing of Jo Cox has triggered a temporary political ceasefire. Even in the midst of a fiercely contested EU debate, campaigning on both sides of the debate have stalled, as both sides join to pay their respects in light of the events yesterday. David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn have united in tributes today, both paying their respects today. The Prime Minister and the leader of the Opposition, as well as House of Commons speaker John Bercow laid flowers at the Priestley memorial near where Cox was shot and stabbed on Thursday.
Jeremy Corbyn described the her death as caused by a ‘well of hate’, and expressed his condolences to her family and David Cameron called Cox ‘a shining star’.
MPs from both sides gather in Jo Cox’s home constituency to pay their respects Image source: The Guardian