Statement from The Jo Cox Foundation
Ten 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. It was an act driven by extremism and division, and a stark reminder of what can happen when it is left to grow.
In the days that followed, we saw an outpouring of love and solidarity both in the UK and around the world. People responded not with fear, but with something Jo believed in deeply: connection. Neighbours came together, differences were set aside, and communities chose unity over division, inspired by the message from Jo’s maiden speech: “We have more in common than that which divides us.”
Ten years on, the absence of that connection has become one of the defining challenges of our time. Loneliness and increasing polarisation leave too many people feeling unseen and unheard, sometimes allowing people to be drawn to the extremes. Yet, we are constantly reminded that hope wins: for every act of division, there are hundreds of acts of connection and community. Over the last decade, Jo’s legacy has inspired millions to bridge divides and connect with one another in ways big and small.
At The Jo Cox Foundation, we share Jo’s belief that politics can be respectful and that connection is built through listening, talking, and treating one another with dignity, even when we disagree. Next weekend (19-21 June), communities will put this into practice, celebrating what unites us at Great Get Togethers across the UK.
The 10th anniversary of Jo’s murder offers a profound moment for us to reflect on her life and the change she made. But this milestone is not just about remembrance – it is a moment of choice and an opportunity to reconnect our communities. Will we turn away from one another, or choose connection? The answer to that question will shape the decade ahead, and we remain entirely committed to choosing connection as we work towards the kinder, fairer, and more tolerant world Jo believed in.
Ten years on, our belief remains unshaken: we have more in common than that which divides us. Join the movement this summer.
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Take part in The Great Get Together on 19–21 June 2026. It can be as simple as inviting people round, getting together with neighbours, or joining an event near you.
Make a donation to sustain Jo’s legacy. By donating you’ll be supporting our work to spread Jo’s message that “we have far more in common than that which divides us”.