Kim Leadbeater, the sister of MP Jo Cox, has cautioned that the forces of division may be more potent than ever ten years after her sister’s tragic murder. Leadbeater highlighted the EU referendum campaign as a particularly divisive period in recent history, where fear was exploited and anger was used as a political tool. She urged the public to resist escalating polarization and hate, reminiscent of the atmosphere surrounding her sister’s untimely death.
Jo Cox was fatally shot and stabbed by neo-Nazi Thomas Mair in her Batley and Spen constituency just days before the EU referendum in 2016. Leadbeater emphasized that while Brexit should not be blamed for her sister’s murder, it occurred within a context of rising tensions. Addressing the Jo Cox memorial lecture at Pembroke College, Oxford, Leadbeater stressed the importance of examining the environment of anger and polarization surrounding the tragic event, noting that similar divisive forces persist today, possibly even stronger.
Describing her sister as a compassionate humanitarian dedicated to bringing people together, Leadbeater underscored the need to combat indifference to division, emphasizing that combating hatred requires courage, responsible dialogue, and a rejection of extremism. She called on individuals to uphold democratic values, foster unity, and remember their interconnectedness to build a society based on compassion and solidarity, rather than division and suspicion.
The speech by Leadbeater comes amidst heightened tensions following the murder of student Henry Nowak, whose killer falsely claimed to be a victim of a racial attack. Despite pleas from Nowak’s family to avoid further division, public figures like Nigel Farage and US vice president JD Vance have made contentious remarks. Downing Street condemned attempts to sow division and interference in democracy, emphasizing the importance of unity and respectful discourse.