Jo Cox: '˜She was a star for her constituents, and a star right across the Commons'

Brendan Cox, Jo’s husband. “Today is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives.More difficult, more painful, less joyful, less full of love. I and Jo’s friends and family are going to work every moment of our lives to love and nurture our kids and to fight against the hate that killed Jo. Jo believed in a better world and she fought for it everyday of her life with an energy and a zest for life that would exhaust most people.She would have wanted two things above all else to happen now, one that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her Hate doesn’t have a creed, race or religion, it is poisonous. Jo would have no regrets about her life, she lived every day of it to the full.”

Prime Minister David Cameron. “This is absolutely tragic and dreadful news and my thoughts are with Jo’s husband Brendan, their two children and wider family. We’ve lost a great star. She had a big heart and people are going to be very, very sad at what has happened. She was a very strong campaigning MP. She had a great track record of caring about refugees and had taken a big interest in how we can look after Syrian refugees and do the right thing in our world. She was a star for her constituents, a star in Parliament and a star right across the House.It’s right that we are suspending campaigning activity in this referendum and everyone’s thoughts will be with Jo’s family and her constituents at this terrible time.”

Will Straw, executive director of Britain Stronger In Europe, the main Remain campaign group. “Jo Cox was a good friend and my thoughts are with her husband, Brendan, and her two small children, Cuillen and Lejla. She was a wonderful woman, dedicated campaigner and a hard-working MP. Inside and outside Parliament, Jo had fought for a more peaceful and just world. It is senseless that her life should be cut short in such a brutal manner. This tragedy has shocked everyone in the campaign and especially those in Yorkshire who had been working with her. In light of this awful news, we have suspended our campaign.”

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson. “The whole of the Labour movement is devastated at Jo’s death. We have lost a colleague so young who had much more to contribute to public life. She was our future. It is hard to comprehend how a compassionate, principled and beautiful person can be taken away from us so cruelly. It’s even more devastating because she was doing what she did best - serving her constituents. We grieve her loss. Our love and prayers are with Brendan and Jo’s family.”

Hillary Clinton. “It is cruel and terrible that her life was cut short by a violent act of political intolerance. It is critical that the United States and Britain, two of the world’s oldest and greatest democracies, stand together against hatred and violence. This is how we must honour Jo Cox – by rejecting bigotry in all its forms, and instead embracing, as she always did, everything that binds us together.”

Tent @TentFoundation. Our hearts go out to @Jo_Cox1’s family and all who mourn this devastating loss. A true champion for refugees everywhere

Fergus Livingstone @inlonelyexile. @Jo_Cox1 Desperately sad news. My little corner of Iceland is contracted in grief for Jo and her family, friends and colleagues.

Ajay Nehra @Ajay_Nehra. Gone too soon @Jo_Cox1 #LabourParty Blessings and condolences to your family. No one should go like this. Speechless. So young, so talented.

Dara Kinnane @95_dazza. Sympathies to Jo Cox’s family, she was an amazing humanitarian and human being.

Daniel Mather @Dannymatherr. My thoughts and prayers and with @Jo_Cox1 and her family. Such a hard working MP. Such a sad day.

Jamila Hanan @JamilaHanan. My deepest condolences to friends, family and colleagues of @Jo_Cox1 such a tragedy, so sorry for your loss.

Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake. “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Jo’s family and friends at this truly awful time. This is an absolutely shocking incident that has robbed a family of a loving mother and wife who was simply doing her job, representing the people of Batley and Spen.This is a tragedy which cannot be allowed to undermine our democratic processes, processes that Jo was so proud to represent. Leeds as a neighbour stands united with Kirklees and our thoughts remain with Jo’s family as they try to come to terms with their dreadful loss.”

Allegra Stratton @ITVAllegra. Girls and boys study Jo Cox. Campaigner, tireless mum, leader, mountain climber, brave, policy nerd, conversationalist, stylish. Hard as nails

Azim ‘Jim’ Gulamali @JimGulamali. Prayers and thoughts go out to the family of @Jo_Cox1 during this awful time. May God give them strength.

Donna Marie London @DonnaMarie_DML. Sad news about @Jo_Cox1. Condolences to her family.

Jonny Hurcombe @JonnyH31. The loss of .@Jo_Cox1 is a devastating blow to 
humanity. She was one of the good ones.

Unni Karunakara @UnniKarunakara. Tragic news about @Jo_Cox1. Remember her as the committed and passionate director of #MaternalMortalityCampaign.

Stephen Goldsbrough @StephenGoldsbro. @Jo_Cox1 Never knew you...but know now you will be so missed by so many.

Gomersal Primary @GomersalPSchool. Our thoughts are with the family of @Jo_Cox1. Quite simply lost for words at the tragedy and loss.

Joanna Maycock @JoannaMaycock. Utterly heartbroken by murder of my dear friend @Jo_Cox1 @MrBrendanCox we will continue to fight for #love #peace

PC Matt Guy @PCMattGuy. Thoughts are with Mrs Cox family and friends

Bradford Council leader councillor Susan Hinchcliffe. “I am shocked and upset to hear such awful news. Jo Cox demonstrated that she was an MP of principle and conviction. That her life has been cut short in this way is terrible for the people of Batley and Spen. But of course I feel particularly for her young children and husband who have been deprived of a loving mother and wife. As near neighbours in West Yorkshire, Bradford sends sincere condolences to her family and to Kirklees at her loss.”

Kirklees Council chief executive Adrian Lythgo. “We always knew that so many people had great respect for Jo, and how influential she was in conversations and in debate. But that has only been reinforced by the reaction to her tragic death. Party colleagues and opposition members have all been united in their shock and sadness at what would have been a stellar career cut short in the worst way.”

Dutch finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem. “During our meeting we heard the sad news of the passing away of Mrs Jo Cox in the United Kingdom, and we observed a moment of silence in our meeting out of respect for her. Our thoughts are with her loved ones and all those who were touched by her life and political work for the UK. The United Kingdom is a beacon for peaceful politics and we hope that the British public, the people of the UK, can make their democratic choices serenely and in a safe way next week.”

Gary Meynell @gazza190567. @Jo_Cox1 a sad sad loss. There is no justice in this world. The amazing work you have done will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Saint Jo.

Ed Lowe @edlowe83. My thoughts, prayers and condolences are with you and your family at this difficult time, RIP @Jo_Cox1

Amy Pollard @AmyRPollard. Stunned and horrified at the loss of @Jo_Cox1. She was an inspiration for women in international development.

Jordan Mullan @Jordan_Mullan. Heartbreaking news about the death of @Jo_Cox1. A passionate and committed MP to her community and the wider world. A major loss #RIP

Geoff Tweetley @geoffwheatley. Really sad to hear about @Jo_Cox1.

lolatweet5 @lolatweet51. @Jo_Cox1 so sorry to see you go. Such a young, precious life. Our hearts are saddened. May you rest in peace and may God bless your family.

Jonathan Walsh @JonnyRWalsh. @Jo_Cox1 My sincere condolences to Jo’s family.

Mario Murgueitio C @MarioMurgueitio. @Jo_Cox1 my condolences and prayers to the Jo Cox’s family, great, brave woman who was an example for everybody RIP.

Joey Joleen Mataele @JoleenDeflir. @Jo_Cox1 You will truly be missed, I’ve only met you once and you have a heart of gold and so passionate about your work. #diversity #love

Ben Hartley @BenHartleyAOM. What a remarkable woman @Jo_Cox1 was. Devoted her life to helping the vulnerable and to public service. Devastating and senseless RIP

Michael Whitcombe @ambulancemike. At Parliament Square to pay my respects to @Jo_Cox1 - my thoughts are with her friends family, everyone who knew her

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party. The whole of the Labour party and Labour family - and indeed the whole country - will be in shock. Jo had a lifelong record of public service and a deep commitment to humanity. 
She worked both for Oxfam and the anti-slavery charity, the Freedom Fund, before she was elected last year as MP for Batley and Spen – where she was born and grew up. Jo was dedicated to getting us to live up to our promises to support the developing world and strengthen human rights – and she brought those values and principles with her when she became an MP. 
Jo died doing her public duty at the heart of our democracy, listening to and representing the people she was elected to serve. It is a profoundly important cause for us all. Jo was universally liked at Westminster, not just by her Labour colleagues, but across Parliament. In the coming days, there will be questions to answer about how and why she died. But for now all our thoughts are with Jo’s husband Brendan and their two young children. They will grow up without their mum, but can be immensely proud of what she did, what she achieved and what she stood for. We send them our deepest condolences. We have lost a much loved colleague, a real talent and a dedicated campaigner for social justice and peace. But they have lost a wife and a mother, and our hearts go out to them.

Stuart Andrew MP. “I am absolutely devastated by the news. I had only known her since she was elected, but she made such a huge impression on me and on MPs across all parties. She was devoted to her constituents and her family, and always made me smile whenever I bumped into her. Parliament will be a poorer place without her, and my thoughts are with her family and staff at this awful time.”

Hull East MP Karl Turner. “She was very outspoken, someone with an opinion who was brave enough to speak out when she felt the leadership was going wrong and needed to improve having only been there for the last year. She was a popular figure and a rising star in the party and respected across Labour.”

John Hannett, Usdaw general secretary. “It is truly shocking to hear the news. Our thoughts are with Jo’s family and friends. Usdaw was proud to have nominated Jo as the Labour candidate in Batley and Spen, she was a true friend of the union and a very hardworking MP. We, amongst many others, will miss Jo. Her death will send shockwaves throughout the political world and wider community.”

BeproudofBirstall @BEPROUDOFBIRSTALL . Message from Anne, Chair of Birstall Chamber of Trade. “There is a profound sense of shock in this village today.”

Jenny Fletcher @whatfletchsaid. Such an atrocious thing to happen to such a talented inspiring woman. Heartbreaking news.

nicola_tallett @nicola_tallett. What an amazing campaigner, wife and mother. Such a loss. RIP @Jo_Cox1

Leeds 2023 @leeds_2023. Our thoughts are with the family of Jo Cox and all those she supported to create a new life and have confidence to celebrate their culture.

Reyez @Reyezist. A mother, a wife, a daughter who devoted her life to helping others. Thoughts with the Cox family at this time.