Today MPs mourn for the loss of Jo Cox who was shot dead and stabbed yesterday while at work in her constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire. Prime Minister David Cameron and Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn pay their respects today in Jo Cox’s constituency.
Cox, who was born, and grew up in Birstall was passionate about representing the people in her town of birth and was keenly involved in local endeavours including raising funds for a children’s hospice. She was allegedly killed by constituent Tommy Mair on the street outside her library surgery. Tributes have poured out from her constituents, as well as from senior politicians across the country including Cameron and Corbyn. Both the Remain and Leave sides of the EU referendum campaign have agreed to officially suspend EU Referendum campaigning for the day in respect of Cox who died while in public service.
Outrage however has risen over the response by Former British National Party leader, Nick Griffin. Following the news of her shooting he tweeted: “ If #JoCox dies (& we all pray she doesn’t) just watch #Remain exploit the tragedy in attempt to shore up their crumbling blackmail campaign.”
The motives for the attack are still unclear, but her death is likely to have an affect on how people perceive the campaigns in the last week leading up to the EU referendum. At Kent Now we interviewed residents of Medway to find out their views on whether her death has made them think differently about the campaigns.