Thursday was a dark day for democracy in our country and an even darker day for the family of Jo Cox.

I got to know Jo when we were newly elected along with around 50 other Labour colleagues in May 2015. Jo was friendly, fun, kind, passionate & caring, she spent her whole life standing up for her community, her country and for humanity. She believed in a better world and that hate and injustice have no place in our society.

Jo lost her life on the streets of her constituency, serving her community and that just cannot be right.

I hope that in the days and weeks ahead, our country will send our combined love and support to her husband Brendan & their two young children, her wider family and friends and in doing so we will clearly state that our democracy and the democratic process, for all its flaws, is something we cherish and will work hard to nurture and uphold.

Hope must always triumph over hate.