Jo Cox's Maiden Speech To Parliament: 'We Are Far More United Than The Things That Divide Us'

MP's first Commons address championed the benefits of immigration
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"Thank you, Mr Speaker; it is a great privilege to be called to make my maiden speech in this most important of debates, and I congratulate many others who have made outstanding maiden speeches today.

"I am sure that many right hon. and hon. Members will claim that their constituencies consist of two halves or numerous parochial parts; I am another in that respect, and Batley and Spen is very much that kind of constituency. It is a joy to represent such a diverse community.

"Batley and Spen is a gathering of typically independent, no-nonsense and proud Yorkshire towns and villages. Our communities have been deeply enhanced by immigration, be it of Irish Catholics across the constituency or of Muslims from Gujarat in India or from Pakistan, principally from Kashmir. While we celebrate our diversity, what surprises me time and time again as I travel around the constituency is that we are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us.

Jo Cox delivers her maiden speech to Parliament on June 3, 2015
Jo Cox delivers her maiden speech to Parliament on June 3, 2015
Parliament TV

"My constituency is also home to Fox’s Biscuits and Lion Confectionery, so I am sure you will not think it an indulgence, Mr Speaker, if I describe Batley and Spen as a constituency with an industrial heart wrapped in a very rich and pleasant Yorkshire landscape—geographical, historical and cultural.

"The spirit of non-conformity is as prevalent now in my part of west Yorkshire as it was in the time of my two immediate predecessors, Mike Wood and Elizabeth Peacock. They were both known for offering their own brand of independent, non-conformist service, albeit in very different ways. I intend to maintain that established tradition in my own unique style.

"Of course, Batley is a town that has sent Labour MPs to this place for the best part of a hundred years. One of them, Dr Broughton, is of course famously credited with bringing down a Government, so I respectfully put the right hon. Members on the Front Bench opposite on notice. The Spen valley has a far more chequered political history, alternately sending Labour and Conservative MPs here to Westminster for much of the 20th century. Nothing made me prouder on 8 May than to be sent to this place with an increased Labour majority, proving again that in my neck of the woods non-conformity is what we do best.

"As I have already alluded to, we make things in Batley and Spen; we do so now, just as we did historically. Batley and Spen has a high proportion of people working in manufacturing, and we can boast the full range of industries, including high-skilled, precision engineering. We manufacture all sorts, from beds to biscuits, and from carpets to lathes. We also have some of the best fish and chips in the country, and some of the best curries in the world.

"However, what many of our businesses are lacking is confidence: confidence to expand; confidence to borrow; confidence to grow; and the confidence to fuel a real economic recovery that benefits everybody, offering decent jobs, paying decent wages and bridging the skills gap. Key to changing that situation is a fundamental shift in attitude towards regional economic regeneration. It is time to give city and county regions the powers and resources they need to promote growth, and I will happily work with all of those who are genuinely committed to building an economic powerhouse in the north. This agenda has to have at its centre a commitment to connect towns and villages in constituencies like mine to thriving city hubs, and to deliver a financial offer inthe forthcoming July Budget that gives this worthy goal a real chance ofsuccess. Yorkshire folk are not fools: talk about devolving power to cities andregions, while simultaneously stripping them of the resources to deliver andsubjecting northern councils such as Kirklees to the harshest of cuts, is not compatible with a worthy commitment to building a northern powerhouse to drive growth and prosperity.

“What surprises me time and time again as I travel around the constituency is that we are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us”

- Jo Cox

"Businesses in my constituency want help to address the skills mismatch at local level which leaves employers with staff shortages and young people without jobs. They want access to reliable sources of finance, including a network of local banks. They want to connect to a regional infrastructure thatworks for them, not rail price hikes of more than 126% and endless delays to key transport projects such as the electrification of the line from Manchester to Leeds. Many businesses in Yorkshire want the security and stability of Britain’s continued membership of the European Union, a cause I look forward to championing passionately in this place and elsewhere.

"The key question is: will the Government’s actions match their northern powerhouse rhetoric? HS2 is not the only acid test. There are two bigger challenges. First, will the Government really devolve all the powers anddecisions that could and should be taken locally and regionally? My test will be this: if there is a compelling reason for this to be a national decision then so be it; if not, it should be devolved. Secondly, will the Government really take the whole range of their decisions—on transport, research and development, planning, education and skills—in the interests of rebalancing the economy and growing the north?

"I am Batley and Spen born and bred, and I could not be prouder of that. I amproud that I was made in Yorkshire and I am proud of the things we make inYorkshire. Britain should be proud of that, too. I look forward to representing the great people of Batley and Spen here over the next five years."

Reuters Photographer / Reuters
Tributes to Labour Party MP Jo Cox are placed on her houseboat in Wapping in London, Britain June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
OLI SCARFF via Getty Images
Flowers are laid at a statue to Joseph Priestly in Birstall near to the scene where Labour MP Jo Cox was shot on June 16, 2016.A British lawmaker died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Phil Noble / Reuters
A message is seen on a floral tribute left near the scene of the murder of Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Birstal near Leeds, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Phil Noble
Phil Noble / Reuters
Police officers conduct a search near the scene of the murder of Labour member of Parliament Jo Cox in Birstal near Leeds, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Phil Noble
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Police officers examine the crime scene on the pavement outside the library in Birstall, northern England, on June 17, 2016, where Labour MP Jo Cox was shot yesterday.Jo Cox, the British lawmaker murdered on the streets of northern England on June 16, had complained to police earlier this year about 'malicious communications' she received, police said Friday. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
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A man arrives to lay flowers at a statue to Joseph Priestly in Birstall, northern England, on June 17, 2016, near to the scene where Labour MP Jo Cox was shot yesterday.Jo Cox, the British lawmaker murdered on the streets of northern England on June 16, had complained to police earlier this year about 'malicious communications' she received, police said Friday. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Police and members of the media in Birstall, West Yorkshire, at the scene where Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death in the street outside her constituency advice surgery.
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Tributes and candles left for murdered Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox are seen in Parliament Square, London, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Jane Barlow/PA Wire
A flag at half mast above the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire.
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
People look at tributes as another writes a message for murdered Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
A woman wipes away a tear as she looks at tributes left for murdered Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Neil Hall / Reuters
People view tributes for Labour Party MP Jo Cox, who was shot dead in the street in northern England, on Parliament Square in London, Britain, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
Neil Hall / Reuters
People view tributes for Labour Party MP Jo Cox, who was shot dead in the street in northern England, on Parliament Square in London, Britain, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
A couple pause as they look at tributes left for murdered Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Phil Noble / Reuters
A message is seen on a floral tribute left near the scene of the murder of Labour member of Parliament Jo Cox in Birstal near Leeds, June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Phil Noble
Phil Noble / Reuters
A police officer leaves a floral tribute near the scene of the murder of Labour member of Parliament Jo Cox in Birstal near Leeds, June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Phil Noble
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
A woman leaves a floral tribute next to a photograph of murdered Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Messages from well wishers for murdered Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox are seen on a board in Parliament Square, London, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Neil Hall / Reuters
People react to tributes to Labour Party MP Jo Cox, who was shot dead in the street in northern England, on Parliament Square in London, Britain, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
Neil Hall / Reuters
People write tributes to Labour Party MP Jo Cox, who was shot dead in the street in northern England, on Parliament Square in London, Britain, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
Phil Noble / Reuters
Labour MP Yvette Cooper (C) hugs a priest at St Peter's Church after a vigil in memory of Jo Cox, a lawmaker for Britain's opposition Labour Party, in Birstall near Leeds, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble
Neil Hall / Reuters
People place tributes for Labour Party MP Jo Cox who was shot dead in the street in northern England, on Parliament Square in London, Britain, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
Phil Noble / Reuters
People leave St Peter's Church after a vigil in memory of Jo Cox, a lawmaker for Britain's opposition Labour Party, in Birstall near Leeds, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble
Phil Noble / Reuters
Labour MP Yvette Cooper (L) leaves St Peter's Church after a vigil in memory of Jo Cox, a lawmaker for Britain's opposition Labour Party, in Birstall near Leeds, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble
DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS via Getty Images
Floral tributes and candles are placed by a picture of slain Labour MP Jo Cox at a vigil in Parliament square in London on June 16, 2016.Cox died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)
Phil Noble / Reuters
Labour MP Mary Creagh (L) leaves St Peter's Church after a vigil in memory of Jo Cox, a lawmaker for Britain's opposition Labour Party, in Birstall near Leeds, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble
Neil Hall / Reuters
Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne delivers a speech about murdered MP Jo Cox before the Dinner to the Bankers and Merchants at The Mansion House in London, Britain, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
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A woman cries after attending a vigil at St Peters church in Birstall to slain Labour MP Jo Cox on June 16, 2016.Cox died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
OLI SCARFF via Getty Images
Labour MP's Mary Creagh (L) and Caroline Flint (2R) leave St Peters church in Birstall after attending a vigil to slain Labour MP Jo Cox on June 16, 2016.Cox died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS via Getty Images
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (C) speaks to members of the press as he attends a vigil to slain Labour MP Jo Cox in Parliament square in London on June 16, 2016.Cox died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)
DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS via Getty Images
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (C) lays a wreath as he attends a vigil to slain Labour MP Jo Cox in Parliament square in London on June 16, 2016.Cox died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)
DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS via Getty Images
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (C) speaks to members of the press as he attends a vigil to slain Labour MP Jo Cox in Parliament square in London on June 16, 2016.Cox died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)
OLI SCARFF via Getty Images
Labour MP Mary Creagh lays flowers at a statue to Joseph Priestly in Birstall near to the scene where Labour MP Jo Cox was shot on June 16, 2016.A British lawmaker died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
OLI SCARFF via Getty Images
Police stand guard by a house suspected of being connected to the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in Birstall, northern England on June 16, 2016.A British lawmaker died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
BIRSTALL, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Floral tributes are placed in Market Square next to the statue of Joseph Priestley a local hero after the murder of Jo Cox, 41, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, who was shot and stabbed by an attacker at her constituicency on June 16, 2016 in Birstall, England. A man also suffered slight injuries during the attack. Jo Cox has died after being shot and repeatedly stabbed while holding her weekly surgery at Birstall Library, Birstall near Leeds. A 53-year old man has been arrested in connection with the crime. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
OLI SCARFF via Getty Images
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 on June 16, 2016.A British lawmaker died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
A wipes away a tear as she looks at tributes left for murdered Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
BIRSTALL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 17: Armed police patrol the streets of Birstall after yesterday's murder of Jo Cox MP, on June 17, 2016 in Birstall, United Kingdom. The Labour MP for Batley and Spen was about to hold her weekly constituency surgery in Birstall Library yesterday (16 June 2016) when she was shot and stabbed in the street. A 52-year old man is being held in Police custody in connection with the death. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Anthony Devlin/PA Wire
A two minute silence is observed in memory of Labour MP Jo Cox, who died after being shot and stabbed in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire, during the count at Wandsworth Town Hall after voters went to the polls in a by-election held after Sadiq Khan resigned his parliamentary seat following his election as Mayor of London.
Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Members of the public during a vigil at Peter's Church Birstall, West Yorkshire, following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox, who died after being shot and stabbed in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire.
Yui Mok/PA Wire
Tribute messages at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminster, central London, in respect of Labour MP Jo Cox, who died after being shot and stabbed in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire.
Danny Lawson/PA Wire
Floral tributes left in Birstall, West Yorkshire, after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death in the street outside her constituency advice surgery.
Anthony Devlin/PA Wire
A two minute silence is observed in memory of Labour MP Jo Cox, who died after being shot and stabbed in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire, during the count at Wandsworth Town Hall after voters went to the polls in a by-election held after Sadiq Khan resigned his parliamentary seat following his election as Mayor of London.
Danny Lawson/PA Wire
Floral tributes left in Birstall, West Yorkshire, after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death in the street outside her constituency advice surgery.
Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Members of the public outside St Peter's Church Birstall, West Yorkshire after a vigil following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox, who died after being shot and stabbed in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire.
OLI SCARFF via Getty Images
A Union flag, laid in tribute to slain Labour MP Jo Cox, is pictured in Birstall, northern England, on June 17, 2016, near to the scene where Cox was shot yesterday.Jo Cox, the British lawmaker murdered on the streets of northern England on June 16, had complained to police earlier this year about 'malicious communications' she received, police said Friday. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS via Getty Images
Floral tributes to Labour Party MP Jo Cox are placed on her houseboat in Wapping, east London, on June 17, 2016 a day after she was killed in northern England. Labour MP Jo Cox, a 41-year-old former aid worker also known for her advocacy for Syrian refugees, was killed on Thursday outside a library where she was supposed to meet constituents in Bistall in northern England, just a few miles (kilometres) from where she was born. / AFP / Daniel Leal-Olivas (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)
Matt Cardy via Getty Images
BIRSTALL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 17: (L-R) Lucy Powell MP, Jeff Smith MP, Paula Sheriff MP and Karen Rawling arrive to leave floral tributes close to where Jo Cox MP was murdered on June 17, 2016 in Birstall, United Kingdom. The Labour MP for Batley and Spen was about to hold her weekly constituency surgery in Birstall Library yesterday (16 June 2016) when she was shot and stabbed in the street. A 52-year old man is being held in Police custody in connection with the death. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
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Labour MP Lucy Powell (C), reacts after laying flowers in tribute to slain Labour MP Jo Cox, in Birstall, northern England, on June 17, 2016, near to the scene where Cox was shot yesterday.Jo Cox, the British lawmaker murdered on the streets of northern England on June 16, had complained to police earlier this year about 'malicious communications' she received, police said Friday. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 17: Labour MP John Cryer and other Labour Party members lay tributes to Jo Cox on Parliament Square on June 17, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. Jo Cox, 41, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, was shot and stabbed by an attacker at her constituicency in Birstall yesterday, before she was due to hold her weekly constituency surgery in Birstall Library. A 52-year old man is being held in Police custody in connection with her death. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
BIRSTALL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 17: Lucy Powell MP for Manchester Central (R) wipes away tears as people gather to leave flowers and tributes in Market Square in memory of Jo Cox, 41, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, who was shot and stabbed yesterday by an attacker at her constituency surgery, on June 17, 2016 in Birstall, United Kingdom. The Labour MP for Batley and Spen was about to hold her weekly constituency surgery in Birstall Library yesterday on June 16, 2016, when she was shot and stabbed in the street. A 52-year old man is being held in Police custody in connection with the death. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
BIRSTALL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 17: Prime Minister David Cameron (C) and Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn (R) arrive to pay their respects at the scene of the murder of Jo Cox, 41, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, who was shot and stabbed yesterday at her constituency surgery, on June 17, 2016 in Birstall, United Kingdom. The Labour MP for Batley and Spen was about to hold her weekly constituency surgery in Birstall Library yesterday on June 16, 2016, when she was shot and stabbed in the street. A 52-year old man is being held in Police custody in connection with the death. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Matt Cardy via Getty Images
BIRSTALL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 17: Flowers and tributes are left in Market Square in memory of Jo Cox, 41, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, who was shot and stabbed yesterday by an attacker at her constituency surgery, on June 17, 2016 in Birstall, United Kingdom. The Labour MP for Batley and Spen was about to hold her weekly constituency surgery in Birstall Library yesterday on June 16, 2016, when she was shot and stabbed in the street. A 52-year old man is being held in Police custody in connection with the death. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
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