CommentSadiq Khan: A decade after MP Jo Cox was murdered the winds of division continue to sweep Britain With every passing year, the urgent need for greater civility, respect and understanding in our politics – and across our society – becomes more apparentSadiq Khan1 minute ago
“We have far more in common than that which divides us.” Those are the words that Jo Cox famously spoke in her maiden speech in Parliament, just 13 months before she was brutally killed in her Yorkshire constituency of Batley and Spen.
It’s hard to believe that this week is the ten-year anniversary of Jo’s death. A decade on, however, her words matter more than ever. With every passing year, the urgent need for greater civility, respect and understanding in our politics – and across our society – becomes more apparent.
Jo Cox was killed by a far-right terrorist in June 2016PA Media
Only a few weeks ago, we saw sickening displays of racism and anti Muslim hate at the far-right ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally in our capital. In recent months, we’ve witnessed appalling antisemitic and terrorist attacks on our Jewish communities. And there’s been a chilling rise in hatred and hostility towards our trans and LGBTQIA+ communities too. The icy winds of division are sweeping across our country – whipped up by those who seek to pit our communities against one another for their own gain.
In the age of social media, being an agent of hate is a profitable business – generating clicks, money, fame and attention. We can’t bring Jo back – but we can keep her spirit and sentiment aliveMayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan
But we cannot allow these online trolls and populist politicians to inject poison into our nation’s bloodstream – and fracture the spirit of unity, which more often than not, defines our beautiful, diverse and inclusive country. I’ve always been proud to live in a city that’s world-famous for our diversity and commitment to inclusion. A place where, in addition to English, 300 languages are spoken on our streets.
Read MoreWhere you can eat an English fry up or shakshuka for breakfast, souvlaki for lunch and sushi for dinner. Where you can be who you want to be, and love who you want to love. I can’t imagine it any other way. Imagine a London without our curry houses, pubs and noodle bars, without Afrobeats or grime, without Notting Hill Carnival, trooping the colour or the annual Pride parade. In London, as in many parts of the UK – people of all backgrounds, cultures and political persuasions find themselves part of the same community – and that’s what makes it special. Our diversity makes us stronger, richer and more vibrant. We see that at every major football tournament with the Lionesses and the England men’s national team, and I’m hopeful this World Cup will once again bring out the best in our country, as the likes of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham bid to end the misery of our men missing out.
But at a time of increasing intolerance and hate, we must also have the courage to stand up to these divisive forces, and stand together with our communities and neighbours.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan attends a memorial event for murdered Labour MP Jo Cox at Trafalger Square on June 22, 2016Getty
Every year, the Jo Cox Foundation organise The Great Get Together to do just that, and honour Jo’s legacy in the best possible way – by bringing people together. From the 19-21 June, hundreds of community events are taking place up and down the UK – from picnics to barbeques, fun-runs to community volunteering events. We can’t bring Jo back – but we can keep her spirit and sentiment alive. So this weekend, I encourage you all to get involved at a local event near you and together we can prove that Jo was right: our similarities are stronger than our differences, and if we choose to come together, we can build a brighter future and a brighter world.
Sadiq Khan is the Mayor of London MORE ABOUTJo CoxSadiq KhanLondonMPParliament
