The legacy of Jo Cox

Background: “More in common than that which divides us”

Jo Cox was the MP for Batley and Spen from the June 2015 general election until she was murdered during the European Union referendum campaign on 16 June 2016.

Both Houses of Parliament were recalled on 20 June 2016 to pay tribute to her. The Hansard records of the:

• tributes that were paid in the House of Commons can be read here
• tributes that were paid in the House of Lords can be read here

Members of both Houses highlighted one phrase from her maiden speech time and again as they remembered her. She had said:

we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.

MPs highlighted Jo Cox’s compassion, spirit, and energy; and the causes that she championed. Jeremy Corbyn, the then Leader of the Labour Party, concluded his tribute by looking to the future and saying: “Today, we remember Jo’s compassion and her passion to create a better world. In her honour, we recommit ourselves to that task.”

Jo Cox continues to be remembered in Parliament, with many parliamentarians drawing inspiration from her words and actions. Since the 2024 general election (to Thursday 4 June 2026), Jo Cox or the Jo Cox Foundation have been mentioned on 126 occasions in contributions from members of both Houses.

The current Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, made statements on the fourth and fifth anniversaries of Jo Cox’s death:

• the Speaker’s fourth anniversary tribute can be read here
• the Speaker’s fifth anniversary tribute can be read here

Also on the fifth anniversary, Keir Starmer, the current Leader of the Labour Party, spoke about Jo Cox’s passion for creating a fairer world, what she would have gone on to achieve, and the friendship they shared:

today is the fifth anniversary of the death of our dear friend and colleague Jo Cox. Jo had already changed so many lives for the better. She was passionate about creating a fairer, more just world. I know she would have gone on to achieve so much more, and that she would have been so proud of the work of her foundation and what it is doing in her name. Jo and I were in the same intake into this House; we were friends and our children are around the same age. There is not a day that goes by when we do not miss Jo. I know that I speak not just for those on the Opposition Benches, but for many across the House, when I say that today we remember Jo. [Hon. Members: “Hear, hear.”]

The Jo Cox Foundation

The Jo Cox Foundation is a charitable company that is limited by guarantee. It was incorporated on 23 September 2016 and was registered as a charity on 19 December 2016. It is chaired by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Labour).

The foundation’s website describes its vision, and the changes it seeks to make:

The Jo Cox Foundation makes meaningful change on issues that the late Jo Cox MP was passionate about.

Our vision is of society underpinned by an enduring belief that “we have far more in common than that which divides us”. One where our communities and our democracy are strengthened by connection and a respect across difference.

The change we seek to make

We work with communities and across society to strengthen connection, trust and respect by:

Working alongside communities to build relationships and support community-led action.

Catalysing a movement rooted in the belief that “we have more in common”, bringing people together to build confidence, support connection and create positive change.

Advocating for change that increases connection, respect, and safety across our communities and politics.

Work of the Jo Cox Foundation

The website identifies three areas that the foundation works in:

• A safe and respectful democracy: “We want anyone, regardless of their background, to feel able to participate in our political discourse and be treated with respect”.
• Stronger communities: “We want less lonely, better connected communities across the UK, where everyone feels that they belong”.
• Loneliness Policy Action Group: aims to bring stakeholders together to:
  • shape evidence-based policy
  • champion collaboration
  • raise awareness
  • advocate for change

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, the Chair of the Jo Cox Foundation, has mentioned its work in two recent debates in the House of Lords.

In a debate on local councillors on 4 June 2026, Baroness Royall expressed concern about the impact of abuse and intimidation on councillors and spoke about the Jo Cox Civility Commission (a strand of the foundation’s work on a safe and respectful democracy).

In a debate to mark International Women’s Day that was held on 6 March 2026, Baroness Royall referred to Jo Cox being “passionate about inclusive, respectful politics” and said that there would be a celebration of her legacy in the Great Get Together in June 2026:

This is the 10th anniversary of Jo’s murder, an act driven by extremism and division, a stark reminder of what can happen when it is left to grow. I hope that everyone will join me in celebrating Jo’s legacy and raising awareness about her message by participating in the Great Get Together in June. Noble Lords can be sure that I will contact them all to ask for their participation. Jo was a life-long humanitarian who worked for women’s empowerment throughout the world and spoke out courageously against injustice and mass atrocities. She knew that, wherever there are despots or war, it is women who suffer most, as they are now in Afghanistan and Sudan. Like me, she would be deeply concerned about the Government’s recent announcement about halting visas for students from those countries.

Previous debate on the legacy of Jo Cox

On 9 September 2021, there was a backbench business debate on the legacy of Jo Cox.

A Commons Library briefing – The legacy of Jo Cox – was produced in advance of that debate.