Brendan Cox, who's wife was murdered earlier this year, gives an extraordinary and inspiring message of hope, unity… https://t.co/rSLPSuNROP
The widower of murdered MP Jo Cox has called on people living in the UK to "bring our communities back together" in an alternative Christmas message broadcast on Channel 4.
Brendan Cox lost his 41-year-old wife, who was Labour MP for Batley and Spen, when far-right extremist and white supremacist Thomas Mair shot and stabbed her to death while reportedly shouting “This is for Britain!” and “Keep Britain independent!"
Cox, who was a humanitarian and Remain campaigner, was murdered in June ahead of the referendum on Britain's membership of the EU. She had two young children, and her death sent shockwaves through the nation.
“2016 has been an awful year for our family, and it’s been a divisive one for the wider world. A year in which fascism, xenophobia, extremism, and terrorism made us divided and felt threatened, from America, to Europe, to the Middle East and beyond," Brendan Cox said in the broadcast.
"And these trends could strengthen – they could gain momentum, they could consolidate, and they could threaten the fundamental freedoms and democracy that our grandparents fought for.
“After all that’s happened this year, she would hope that all of us make a resolution to do something in 2017 to bring our communities back together. To reach out to somebody that might disagree with us. Now is not a moment to shout louder into our echo chambers. It’s a moment to reach out.”
The message was recorded on the converted Dutch barge that he and Jo lived in.
“Jo loved Christmas, the games, the traditions, the coming together of friends and family and, above all, the excitement of our kids. This year we’ll try to remember how lucky we were to have Jo in our lives for so long – and not how unlucky we were to have her taken from us.”
Many people said they were moved by Brendan Cox's alternative message.
@MrBrendanCox #AlternativeChristmasMessage ❤ In complete awe of your strength & courage. Wishing love & peace for you & yours #LoveLikeJo❤
The Alternative Christmas message on @Channel4 was powerful. My thoughts are with Brendan and all of Jo Cox's family this Christmas 💜
The alternative queens speech by murdered mp Jo Cox's husband @MrBrendanCox was incredibly moving #moreincommon