House of Lords, 20th June 2016
Jo Cox was proud to be a member of the Labour family and that family is proud of her.
There are some people in families as well as in political parties that you try to dodge but Jo was someone who improved your day.
She was a passionate believer in the power of good and many dark corners of the world have lost a passionate human rights defender.
But so many people have lost a woman who was a joy and inspiration to work with - people we have worked with for nearly two decades.
Here in Parliament – in our own Parliamentary Labour Party offices, in Party Headquarters and in party offices up and down the country
And even before she became an MP – her many friends in former Leader’s offices – Tony Blair’s, Ed Miliband’s
As well as my friends and former colleagues in Gordon Brown’s office valued her insight and compassion not least in the work she did with Sarah Brown on women’s health.
They are all part of this tribute to Jo who loved life, her country, her world and most of all her family
I met Brendan when he was a labour student and over this awful time he has shown himself to be brave and strong.
We mourn their loss, but he and her family should know that all of us are absolutely and resolutely united and determined to counter the hate that killed Jo and prove that hope does beat hate.
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