RIP Jo Cox MP

Like the majority of people up and the country, the Bakers’, Food and Allied Workers Union were shocked and saddened at the murder of Jo Cox, MP for Batley and Spen, a 41 year old wife and mother, so viciously cut down only a year or so into a parliamentary career that promised great things.

As many have already pointed out, Jo Cox was a long standing campaigner and fighter for human rights and social justice who in many ways, represented what the Labour Party should be all about. She was a local lass who decided to follow the vocational path of representing people within her community. Indeed, her constituency includes a good number of BFAWU members who will be dismayed by this tragedy.

Whilst there are many among the political classes with whom we strongly disagree and oppose at times, there is never any justification for murder, or violence within our democracy. By the same token, we must ask how a human mind could have become so deluded as to think that killing someone in this fashion was somehow a right and just thing to do.

The BFAWU sends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends that Jo Cox leaves behind.

Solidarity.