Statement from The Jo Cox Foundation
Nine years ago today, on 16 June 2016, Jo Cox was murdered while on her way to a surgery in her constituency of Batley and Spen. Jo’s murder was an immeasurable tragedy for her family and friends, but also for British democracy.
In the days that followed we saw an outpouring of love and solidarity both in the UK and around the world. Communities came together to remember Jo and reject hate, inspired by the message from her maiden speech: “We have more in common than that which divides us.”
Since Jo’s murder we have seen society become more divided and increasingly polarised. This means that Jo’s message of unity remains just as relevant today as it was nine years ago.
At The Jo Cox Foundation we share Jo’s belief that, together, we can strengthen communities to become less lonely, better connected, and more united. Next weekend (20-22 June) communities will be celebrating what unites us and rejecting division at Great Get Togethers across the UK, inspired by Jo’s “more in common” message.
The ninth anniversary of Jo Cox’s murder today offers a moment for us to reflect, and to remember Jo’s life and the change she made. It’s also an opportunity for us to recommit to working towards the kinder, fairer and more tolerant world that she believed in, as we endeavour to do every day through our work at The Jo Cox Foundation.
Help us to make change, inspired by Jo Cox
Join the Great Get Together
Taking place next weekend from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 June 2025, community events across the UK will be celebrating Jo’s message that we have more in common than that which divides us. The first Great Get Together in 2017 took place on the anniversary of Jo’s murder, but to focus on celebrating Jo’s life instead of the way she died, her family and friends decided to move it to the weekend closest to her birthday instead. Host your own or find an event in your area on our map.
Join our community of supporters
We make change on issues that Jo Cox was passionate about – from stronger communities, to respectful politics, and a fairer world. If you care about these issues too, signing up for our monthly supporter newsletter is the best way to hear news from us and how to get involved.
