Former Coronation Street actor was elected to replace MP who was murdered outside her constituency surgery in June

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Labour MP Tracy Brabin, who was elected to replace Jo Cox, has paid a moving tribute to her friend and predecessor, saying she would “stand tall against those whose only mission is to divide our community”.

Jo Cox obituary Read more

Giving her maiden speech in the House of Commons, the former Coronation Street actor and screenwriter said her constituency of Batley and Spen would “not be defined by the one person who took from us, but by the many who give”.

Brabin was elected without opposition from the major parties at the by-election to replace Cox, who was murdered outside her constituency surgery in June.

“I wasn’t elected in a conventional way and it was in the darkest of circumstances through the loss of my friend and inspiration, Jo Cox, that I came to be here,” Brabin said.



“What happened wasn’t only an attack on a woman, family and a community, it was an assault on the principles and basis of our democracy.”

Brabin quoted from Cox’s own maiden speech, which said “that we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us”.

The speech has since inspired the More In Common campaign, spearheaded by Cox’s husband, Brendan, and community movement Hope Not Hate, which works against far-right parties and groups.

Brabin said the words in Cox’s maiden speech were “true then and it is even more the case now.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Jo Cox, who Brabin called her ‘friend and inspiration. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

The MP’s speech came as part of a parliamentary debate on police officer safety, and Brabin praised West Yorkshire police for its response to Cox’s killing.



“We will never forget the difference Jo has made and through her legacy continues to make,” she said. “She was and is unforgettable.”

Brabin also spoke about her own childhood in Batley, when the local council stepped in to prevent her family becoming homeless after her father lost his job and fell behind on mortgage repayments.



“We would have been homeless had it not been for the council which found us a roof over our head,” she said. “But that wasn’t an active charity. It was a combination of political will and solidarity from local and nationally elected representatives.

“Today there are now 14,000 people on the council house waiting list in Kirklees. Affordable housing is further out of reach than ever and I will work hard to ensure other families don’t suffer the stress and anxiety that we did.

“Young people’s futures are more uncertain than ever. Whatever their ambitions, we must give them hope and belief that they can be the best.”



The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said the speech was a “beautiful tribute to our sorely-missed friend, Jo Cox”.

Tory MP Philip Davies, who spoke after Brabin, praised her maiden speech, saying Cox “could not have hoped for a better successor to her than the honourable lady”.