Three years on from the terrible murder of Jo Cox and, though it pains me to say it, little about our political culture has changed. Memorials have been held and vigils observed, but the culture has, if anything, got worse.

Only two weeks ago Britain rolled out the red carpet for Donald Trump: a racist, sexist misogynist whose values could not stand in greater contrast to the ones that Jo championed. In the first round of the Conservative leadership election, a man who referred to Muslim women wearing the veil as “letterboxes” and black people as “piccaninnies” secured more votes than the next three candidates combined. Nigel Farage’s stoking of xenophobia and division continues to gain traction.

As politicians we owe it to Jo, to her family, and to the people of Britain, to do better than this.

We can, of course – we have before. Over the past 50 years, we’ve seen the introduction of far-reaching laws on equality and anti-discrimination, and the inclusion of millions of people from other countries who have made Britain their home and enriched our society. Prejudices that were once common are far less prevalent, even though they haven’t disappeared completely.

At this pivotal moment in Britain’s history, those of us who believe in a better society must come together as friends and allies, find common ground, and wrench the story of our future out of the hands of Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson. We must seek out the values that unite us and place them at the heart of the arguments we make and the policies we propose.

Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Floral tributes and candles are placed by a picture of slain Labour MP Jo Cox at a vigil in Parliament square in London AFP Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Tributes to Labour Party MP Jo Cox are placed on her houseboat in Wapping in London REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures The Union flag at half-mast on top of Portcullis House in London after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (2R) and deputy leader Tom Watson (L) light candles as they attend a vigil to slain Labour MP Jo Cox in Parliament square in London AFP/Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and deputy leader Tom Watson (rear) arrive to leave tributes at Parliament Square PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People leave St Peter's Church after a vigil in memory of Jo Cox REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Flowers left at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminste, following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People react as they look at tributes left for Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A man writes a message at Parliament Square PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People stop to look at tributes left at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminster PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A woman arrives to lay flowers at a statue to Joseph Priestly in Birstall near to the scene where Labour MP Jo Cox was shot AFP/Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Tributes at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminster PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A woman places candles in tribute to Labour Party MP Jo Cox REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A member of the public signs a memorial for British MP Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London EPA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People sign messages of condolence for MP Jo Cox during a vigil in Parliament Square in London Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Flags at half mast outside Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People arrive in Market Square with floral tributes after the death of Jo Co Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Floral tributes are placed in Market Square next to the statue of Joseph Priestley following the death of Jo Cox Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Floral tributes are brought to the scene after the death of Jo Cox Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A police officer carries bunches of flowers at the scene of the shooting of Labour MP Jo Cox in Birstall REUTERS

One organisation that I am proud to support is already trying to do that. Compassion in Politics launched last October and, thanks to the power and urgency of its message, it has already gained the backing of MPs from seven different parties inside parliament, and from public figures and academics outside it. Their aims might seem common-sense enough: to make politics respectful, cooperative, and compassionate. But given the current climate, they are also hugely ambitious.

Yet ambition is what we need. Britain did not build a fairer, more just society in the decades after the Second World War by standing still. Rights were not won by accepting the status quo. Many of us entered politics because we wanted to change things for the better. That desire, that hope, is needed more than ever.

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Compassion in Politics is proposing to introduce the world’s first Compassion Act. Its aim is simple: to ensure that no government be allowed to make those in the most vulnerable circumstances worse off, or benefit current generations at the expense of future ones.

We are living in the shadow of austerity and face the imminent threat of climate breakdown. These two principles of the Compassion Act could have averted the worst impacts of austerity, and forced government action (rather than just rhetoric) on the climate emergency.

The organisation is also working to bring together MPs with similar values so that we can reinforce one another’s campaigns, and celebrate our individual and collective successes. It’s easy to overlook how important this is but in an environment where backbiting, stereotyping and division are lauded, it’s essential if we are to move to a kinder way of being.

The campaign is looking at reform of our anachronistic parliamentary system – from a revised code of conduct for MPs to the formation of citizens’ assemblies that would allow difficult issues, like Brexit, to be debated and resolved in ways that don’t deepen divisions and poison public discourse. All of these changes are needed urgently.

In Jo’s life she sought to build bridges, dignify our politics and magnify the lives of the most isolated and vulnerable. In the ever more polarised politics of today, it’s even more urgent that we remember her lessons and build on her example.