Division in UK probably worse now than in run-up to Brexit, says Kim Leadbeater

Labour MP warns of voices fanning hatred on eve of 10th anniversary of the murder of her sister, the MP Jo Cox

Political hatred and division in the UK is probably worse now than during the Brexit referendum, when Jo Cox was murdered, says Kim Leadbeater, Cox’s sister who is now also a Labour MP.

Speaking to the Guardian’s Today in Focus podcast Leadbeater, who was elected to the same Yorkshire seat held by Cox in a 2021 byelection , said everyone in public life had a responsibility to try and ease tensions.

Referencing the response of some politicians to the murder of Henry Nowak, which was followed by disorder in Southampton , Leadbeater said people should remember that those calling for division were “in the minority” but were very vocal.

Other people, she argued, “have got a duty to drown them out and tell the good stories of this country”.

“After Jo was killed, there was a period where people said all the right things and said: we need to do things differently, we need more compassion, we need more understanding,” said Leadbeater in an interview to mark the 10th anniversary of Cox’s murder by a far-right terrorist on 16 June 2016.

She said: “And it was very short-lived. And sadly and regrettably, I think over the last decade, if anything, things are worse. And I think we have to be honest about that.”

With the anniversary approaching, Leadbeater said, it was time to “have a look at how we can change that narrative”.