This blog was originally published on the Centenary Action website: https://centenaryaction.org.uk/uncategorised/the-strength-of-disagreeing-agreeably/ 

Coming from different political traditions, Labour’s Natasa Pantelic and Conservative Claire Pearsall came together to write this article during the week marking ten years since the murder of Jo Cox MP, reflecting on Jo’s belief that we have far more in common than that which divides us and on the power of working across party lines.

Politics is about people. It’s about knowing the change you want to make to create a better world and working with people who share your vision to achieve it. This isn’t always done by working with people in your own political party alone but through cross-party working, and it happens more often than you think.

We are sometimes asked why we “do politics” and our answer is simple – it is the best way to make meaningful change to the country, and we have the privilege of working with amazing people who are just as passionate and committed as we are to public service and getting things done for the communities we live in. From the first moment we walked into Parliament, we knew we had to be there.

This week marks 10 years since the murder of Jo Cox MP on 16 June 2016, on her way to a constituency surgery to meet with local residents in Batley and Spen – a week before the EU referendum. We cannot continue writing without also mentioning that on 15 October 2021, Sir David Amess MP, was murdered at his constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea by an Islamist extremist.

Two politicians who often worked across the political divide, dedicated to serving their local communities with huge energy and optimism, killed while fulfilling their public duties. Their individual shields above the green benches in the House of Commons remind MPs, staff and the public of their life and legacy – they will always be remembered.

We are two people who come from different backgrounds, from the Labour and Conservative parties, and disagree on nearly everything, but we always find a way of working together to achieve common goals. This is our strength. We can’t remember exactly how we met but our relationship is important to us – we can disagree agreeably and then have a cup of tea to talk about other things afterwards! It is also a matter of trust – you have to trust people to get things done. You cannot achieve anything on your own in politics.

An important part of politics is having the ability to listen to opposing points of view without dismissing them.  Understanding a different point of view is important not only for common courtesy but also for ensuring you can adequately explain, debate, and persuade others about your ideas. It makes you better at reasoning and sharpens critical thinking which prevents close mindedness.

In last week’s debate on the Legacy of Jo Cox, her sister, Kim Leadbeater MP, spoke powerfully about rebuilding respectful dialogue in our country and to strengthen our democracy, saying:

“We must rebuild respectful dialogue. We need to rediscover the ability to disagree without hatred. Democracy depends on argument, but it also depends on mutual respect. Someone who votes differently from us is not automatically ignorant, wrong, evil or beyond redemption. We must resist the temptation to caricature entire groups of people. We must challenge toxic rhetoric wherever it appears.

We have to invest in our communities. Polarisation grows when people become isolated from one another. Strong communities create empathy, because they bring different people together. Local organisations, youth groups, charities, libraries, sports clubs, faith groups and community centres—all of which we have in our constituencies—play a vital role in strengthening our social bonds. When people know each other personally, hatred becomes much harder to sustain.”

It is vital that we use Jo’s message “that we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us” to bring people together and to teach our young people the art of critical thinking and debate so that they have the tools to navigate a world (especially on social media) that spreads anger and hatred faster than compassion, respect and the truth.

We have serious choices to make as a country for future generations. We hope these choices will promote optimism, encourage collaboration and hope rather than hate and division.

It is on all of us, no matter who we are, to show the leadership in our local communities that this moment is calling for. As we reflect on the life and legacy of Jo Cox not just this week but in the weeks and years to come, let’s use her message to build stronger communities, a more compassionate country, and create a future to be proud of.

Natasa Pantelic has worked in politics for 20 years and is a founding member of the Labour Women’s Parliamentary Staff Network in the UK Parliament. She is a graduate of the Jo Cox Women in Leadership Programme. Natasa has worked for a number of senior Labour MPs, served in local government as a local Councillor for 15 years and is a former parliamentary candidate.

Claire Pearsall is a former Conservative Special Adviser to a Minister for Immigration who has worked in Parliament for 22 years for a number of senior Conservative politicians, served as a local Councillor for 8 years and is also a Political Commentator.

Ten years since the murder of Jo Cox, local football teams in Bristol have played against a team of refugees, showing that they have more in common than that which divides them.

Our new video, filmed earlier this month, is a powerful example of how connection can be found in unexpected places. How when we put aside our differences and find common ground, we learn that we truly do have far more in common than that which divides us.

This June marks ten years since the murder of Jo Cox MP, whose legacy has inspired efforts to address loneliness and strengthen social connection across the UK and beyond.

It also marks the tenth anniversary of Loneliness Awareness Week, which for a decade has helped shine a light on the impact of loneliness and the importance of meaningful social connection.

In recognition of the anniversary, and the millions of people of all ages and from all backgrounds who feel lonely in the UK, members of the Loneliness Policy Action Group have collectively agreed a shared set of policy calls aimed at embedding loneliness prevention and social connection more deeply across government policy and public services.

The group is united in the belief that addressing loneliness and strengthening social connection are foundational to healthier communities, improved wellbeing, stronger community cohesion and greater opportunity for people across all stages of life.

As we mark these anniversaries, we renew our commitment to Jo’s belief that we have far more in common than that which divides us, and to building a society where everyone feels connected, valued and supported.

Together In Batley magazine have published a special issue a tribute to Jo’s life and legacy, produced by Batley schools and Jo’s family.

Ten years ago, Jo Cox MP’s murder shocked and devastated the nation. But in the difficult days that followed, people responded with something Jo believed in deeply: connection. Neighbours came together. Differences were set aside. Communities united.

In the years since, millions of people have carried that spirit forward, and this June we’re once again inviting you to host an event in your local area. From 19–21 June 2026, the Great Get Together will see events – big and small – take place in every corner of the country. 

Whether you choose to organise a community-wide street party or a simple neighborhood cuppa, your event is a vital step towards a stronger, more connected future. If, like us, you believe we have more in common than that which divides us, then organise your own Great Get Together this June and help make this 10th anniversary the most connected year yet.

Register your interest now to receive your physical resource pack

The registration form for this year’s Great Get Together is now live!

This year we’re excited to have an option to choose either a digital or physical resource pack, thanks to the generosity of those who supported our Great Get Together crowdfunding campaign.

Register now if you would like to receive a physical resource pack, containing:

• Bunting (first 250 packs only)
• Balloons
• Stickers
• Posters and postcards

£5,000 mini-grant pot available for organisers

We know that, for some people, cost can be a barrier to organising a Great Get Together. This year, thanks to the support of GoFundMe, we’re pleased to be able to offer a mini-grant fund for the first time.

We have £5,000 to give away to cover costs like hiring a space, providing refreshments or buying decorations. These grants of up to £100 will be available on a first come first served basis and, as the number of mini-grants available will be limited, we ask organisers to only apply if they would struggle to organise a Great Get Together without receiving a mini-grant.

Register now for the Great Get Together to receive more information about our mini-grants, including how to apply.

Let’s make this the biggest and best year yet

Even if you can’t organise your own Great Get Together this year, you can still support the campaign.

One easy way to support this year’s Great Get Together is by spreading the word on social media. You can share our posts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter/X.

And if you’re feeling generous, you can donate to support our work to build stronger communities, including the Great Get Together. With your support, you can help us  show that we have more in common than that which divides us.

The Jo Cox Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Trustees: Dame Tracey Crouch DBE and Seema Kennedy OBE, both former Conservative Members of Parliament who played a significant role in placing loneliness on the national agenda. The appointments come as the Foundation prepares to mark 10 years since the murder of Jo Cox MP in June, by advancing issues she was passionate about – including tackling loneliness. 

Before her murder in 2016, Jo established the cross-party Commission on Loneliness with Seema Kennedy OBE, in order to shine a spotlight on the millions of people feeling lonely in our communities and the devastating impact that is having on our country’s health, wellbeing and productivity. Jo’s passion for addressing loneliness came from her own experiences of loneliness at university and from listening to the voices of her constituents on the doorsteps of Batley & Spen. 

Seema Kennedy OBE continued her work as co-chair of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness after Jo’s murder, leading to the creation of  the UK Government’s first national loneliness strategy and the world’s first Minister for Loneliness, Dame Tracey Crouch DBE. 

Dame Tracey Crouch DBE said:

“I always felt it a real privilege to have been the first loneliness minister and while I was appointed to do a job, I got so much out of it personally.  By joining the Jo Cox Foundation board, I feel like I get to give something back and help continue to the conversation on loneliness at a time when we need action more than ever”

Seema Kennedy OBE said:

“It is an honour to join the Board of The Jo Cox Foundation as we approach the tenth anniversary of Jo’s death. Jo was not only a colleague but a powerful champion for those experiencing loneliness, and I was proud to work alongside her in establishing the Commission on Loneliness to bring this issue into the national conversation. While important progress has been made, loneliness continues to affect millions of people across our communities. I look forward to supporting the Foundation’s work to carry forward Jo’s legacy and to ensure that connection, compassion and community remain at the heart of public life.”

Sister of Jo Cox, Kim Leadbeater MP MBE:

“I am delighted to welcome Tracey and Seema to the board of the Jo Cox Foundation. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with them over the years on a range of issues. I know they will bring an enormous amount of experience and expertise to the work of Jo’s foundation, building on the cross-party work on loneliness they both dedicated huge amounts of time to following Jo’s murder.”

Baroness Jan Royall, Chair of The Jo Cox Foundation, said:

“As we approach the ten-year anniversary of Jo’s murder, re-energising the loneliness agenda is a powerful way we can honour her legacy. Jo believed deeply that we have more in common than that which divides us, and she brought people together across political and community lines to confront loneliness head-on. A decade on, our responsibility is not simply to remember her vision, but to carry it forward.”

Olivia Field, Chief Executive at The Jo Cox Foundation, said:

“I am particularly moved to see some of the original players—those who were instrumental in securing the world’s first loneliness strategy and the first Minister herself—coming back together through The Jo Cox Foundation. Their expertise, combined with this renewed momentum, is exactly what the country needs right now to ensure no one feels they have to face life alone. When we feel connected, we’re healthier, we’re happier, and we’re better able to contribute to the world around us.”

We are pleased to prepare a briefing for the second reading of the recently published Representation of the People Bill. 

We support the bill’s provisions to address harassment including: removing the requirement for agents’ home addresses to be published, improving communication between candidates and the police, extending the disqualification order to include hostility towards election staff, and making hostility an aggravating factor in sentencing. 

Our key calls to strengthen the bill include:  embedding standards of conduct through requirements for political parties, dissemining candidate safety resources consistently and addressing online harms through a code of practice for social media platforms.  

The Jo Cox Foundation makes meaningful change on issues that the late Jo Cox MP was passionate about. The charity works in two areas: nurturing stronger communities and championing respect in politics. Underpinning this work is the understanding that we have more in common than that which divides us. Jo Cox was murdered on 16 June 2016 in the place she loved – Batley and Spen – doing the work she loved, as an MP on behalf of her constituents.

Our Respectful Politics and Jo Cox Civility Commission work sees abuse and intimidation of elected representatives as a threat to democracy. Our long-term vision is a political culture where everyone can safely participate in respectful, robust debate in the spirit of Jo’s message that we have “more in common than that which divides us.”

In January, our Chair, Baroness Jan Royall set out our priority calls to action for the elections bill: embedding standards of conduct; making personal addresses private by default; addressing online harms; disseminating candidate safety resources; and promoting political, digital and media literacy.

We welcome the publication of the bill and are pleased to be coordinating with other civil society organisations across the democracy sector.

By Olivia Field, CEO

Meaningful impact

Almost a month into my role as CEO, I’ve been struck by just how much meaningful impact The Jo Cox Foundation is having – often quietly, and often behind the scenes.

From influencing national policy to supporting community-led action, this work doesn’t always make headlines. But its effects are real, lasting, and deeply important to the health of our democracy and our communities.

Working towards a more respectful politics

In my first few days, our Respectful Politics lead rather nonchalantly asked me to look at our response to a new policy stopping councillors’ home addresses from being included in local authority registers. This is something the Foundation has long been calling for.

It may sound small, but it makes a significant difference – particularly to the families of elected representatives who too often fear for their safety.

This change is part of a wider set of policy and practice improvements we’ve helped secure through our cross-party Jo Cox Civility Commission, which identifies practical ways to reduce abuse and intimidation of elected representatives. These include the expansion of dedicated police support for locally elected representatives, improved security guidance for families, a new commitment to teach political literacy in schools and more. We will continue to influence parliamentarians to build on this progress during the upcoming Elections Bill – you can see our key calls here.

All of this is about strengthening our democracy, and ensuring that people, no matter their gender, race or background, can participate in politics safely and confidently.

Supporting community-led social action and partnership working

Alongside this national policy work, much of our impact happens at a local level. Some of our work takes place in hyper-local communities. In West Yorkshire, we’ve worked alongside communities to develop a vision for their area, rooted in what they themselves see as their greatest strengths. Elsewhere, we’ve created partnerships in places like Cardiff, Nottingham, Manchester and Staffordshire, connecting and supporting people and organisations working to strengthen social cohesion. 

Through this work, we are creating space for conversations about controversial and challenging issues – conversations that might not otherwise happen.

Many of us worry about raising political or sensitive topics with friends or neighbours, in case we disagree. But what if more of us could disagree and still get on? What if we recognised that, despite our differences, we have more in common than that which divides us?

If we did, we might feel less disconnected – and perhaps better equipped to tackle society’s most complex problems together. These examples of grassroots, community-led social action and partnership working show just how vital this approach is to building resilience, trust and cohesion.

Jo’s message, that we have more in common than that which divides us, feels as urgent now as ever. This June, as we remember and reflect on ten years since her murder, we will be amplifying that message once again.

We know many people are already choosing to connect. And we know many others want to. This year’s Great Get Together, which will bring communities together through events across the country, is one way to make that happen.

Influencing policy to connect

Events like these help people feel a stronger sense of belonging, reduce loneliness, and support community connection. But to truly address loneliness, all parts of society have a role to play – including government.

In recent months, we’ve seen some positive steps, including initiatives announced through the Youth Strategy and a new sports campaign aimed at reducing isolation among boys and men. However, alongside our partners in the Loneliness Action Policy Group, we know that more coordinated, cross-government and ambitious action is still needed.

Ten years ago, Jo established the Loneliness Commission, which led to the world’s first Minister for Loneliness and a national strategy. There is much to celebrate – and still so much more to do.

We’re grateful to everyone who supports this work—and to everyone choosing to connect. Together, we can build a movement that brings communities together and reminds us of what we have in common.

By Baroness Jan Royall, Chair of Trustees

I’m honoured to have recently joined The Jo Cox Foundation as Chair – and I do so at a time when Jo’s message feels more urgent than ever.

That’s why I’m delighted that we’ve already raised over £15,000 of the £20,000 target for our crowdfunding campaign for next year’s Great Get Together.

Across the UK, we’re seeing deepening divisions. Political polarisation, rising hate crime, and growing social isolation are leaving many people feeling disconnected and disillusioned. The headlines reflect it, and so do our everyday lives – from the tensions in our communities to loneliness behind closed doors.

But amid this, there is hope.

Jo believe that we have more in common than that which divides us. That belief is at the heart of the Great Get Together – a weekend where people come together to share food, stories, and laughter. It’s a celebration of community, compassion, and connection, and a powerful antidote to the forces pulling us apart.

This year’s Great Get Together showed just how much it matters. From refugee-led cooking events in Epsom to interfaith gatherings in Belfast, thousands of people came together across divides. They built trust, formed friendships, and reminded each other that kindness still matters.

As someone who has spent my life in public service, I know how vital it is to strengthen the bonds between us – especially in difficult times. That’s why I’m passionate about the work of The Jo Cox Foundation. Because it doesn’t just honour Jo’s legacy – it builds on it, creating real change in communities across the country.

Next year’s Great Get Together will be especially significant. From 19-21 June 2026, we’ll mark ten years since Jo was murdered. It will be a poignant moment to reflect, to unite, and to show that her message lives on.

Thanks to our supporters we’ve already raised over £15,000 to help fund community-led events across the UK, support local organisers, and provide the resources needed to ensure people from all backgrounds can take part.

Please help us reach our £20,000 goal.

If you’ve already donated, thank you so much. Your support is making a real difference. And if you’re able, sharing the campaign with your friends, family, and networks is another powerful way to help.

Please donate today and help me ensure that Jo’s message – that we have more in common than that which divides us – continues to unite communities across the UK.

Together, we can make the 10th anniversary of the Great Get Together a moment of real, lasting impact.

Jo Cox famously said, “I will not live in a country where thousands of people are living lonely lives forgotten by the rest of us.”

Throughout her life, Jo championed the issue of loneliness, recognising it as a serious challenge affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. Together with Seema Kennedy, she established the cross-party Commission on Loneliness, which brought together charities, businesses, and policymakers to drive national action. That work led to the UK becoming the first country in the world to publish a government strategy on loneliness: A Connected Society and to the appointment of the world’s first Minister for Loneliness.

Whenever we speak to international colleagues, they’re often struck by the fact that the UK has a Minister for Loneliness, something still relatively rare around the world. It’s a reminder of how far Jo Cox’s legacy has travelled, and how the UK’s recognition of loneliness as a public policy issue has inspired conversations globally. The existence of that ministerial role signals that tackling loneliness isn’t just a matter of personal wellbeing, but a question of national policy, social connection, and public health.

Seven years on, we can be proud of the progress made, from growing awareness to more embedded approaches across sectors. But loneliness remains widespread, persistent, and deeply unequal in its impact. Tackling it requires renewed focus, leadership, and investment at every level of society.

The Ongoing Challenge

Despite this progress, loneliness remains a major challenge. Around 1 in 4 adults say they feel lonely some or all of the time, and rates are even higher among young people, disabled people, and those on low incomes. Structural issues from digital exclusion to insecure housing and the cost of living crisis continue to shape people’s ability to connect. While awareness has improved, the challenge now lies in ensuring that every sector embeds connection as a priority, not an afterthought.

Looking Ahead

Since Jo first shone a national spotlight on loneliness, awareness has grown enormously. The UK became the first country in the world to appoint a Minister for Loneliness in 2018, and since then we’ve seen loneliness embedded in policy areas from health and social care to transport and community development. The Loneliness Strategy encouraged cross-sector collaboration, while local authorities, businesses, and charities have begun to take loneliness seriously as a public health and social cohesion issue. 

At the Jo Cox Foundation, we know that stronger social connections can help build a more compassionate and cohesive society, one that reflects Jo’s belief that “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.”

Looking Ahead

As we look to the future, the challenge is to renew momentum and ensure loneliness once again becomes a national priority. The new government represents an opportunity to re-energise leadership on loneliness and to build on the foundations already laid and bring fresh focus, collaboration, and commitment across departments. 

With the tenth anniversary of Jo Cox’s death approaching in June 2026, this is also a moment to reflect on how far her legacy has come and to reaffirm our collective commitment to building the more connected, compassionate country she believed in.

Earlier this year, with support from The Astra Foundation, the Jo Cox Foundation convened a Loneliness Policy Action Group, bringing together organisations across the sector to identify shared priorities for the next phase of national action. Working with the wider loneliness sector and the APPG on Tackling Loneliness and Connected Communities, the group will develop evidence-based recommendations to help the new government renew momentum and deliver meaningful progress on loneliness.

Through this work and our wider partnerships across sectors, the Foundation will continue to ensure that loneliness stays firmly on the national agenda. Tackling loneliness is not only an individual experience to be understood, but a shared challenge that can only be solved together. 

To find out more about the Loneliness Policy Group or to get involved in our work on loneliness policy, please contact [email protected]