On Thursday this week the brutal killing of Labour MP Jo Cox stunned the political world.
This is the first time a political representative in the United Kingdom has been murdered since Ian Gow way back in 1990, some 26 years ago.
Since that IRA bombing there has only been two other previous violent incidents: In 2000 Liberal Democrat MP Nigel Jones was attacked with a samurai sword in which his aid, Andrew Pennington, was killed. In 2010 Labour MP Stephen Timms survived a double stab wound.
Research published earlier this year by the Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (FTAC) advised that MPs needed greater protection. It found that four out of five members of parliament had fell victim to intrusive or aggressive behaviour. The police are now urging MPs to review their security measures at their constituency surgeries following the attack.
In mourning, politicians across the country have shown unity with the public. This unity against hatred has led to vigils being held right across the country to mourn and remember the life of Jo Cox.
On Friday, Glasgow had it’s own vigil in George Square which was attended by local people in their hundreds; including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale as well as Glasgow City Council leader Frank McAveety. Here political rivalries were cast aside as the SNP and Labour leaders together laid down the first flowers with local Glasgow Conservative MSP Annie Wells. Hundreds of on-lookers applauded this sign of party unity and stood together with the politicians against intolerable violence.
Speaking at the event, Ms Dugdale said that there was a “golden seat in heaven for Jo Cox” – a testament and appraisal of the work the 41-year-old MP had carried out in her four years as chair of the Labour Women’s Network.
First Minister Sturgeon later said to the crowd that Jo was “somebody who was in politics to make a difference and do good for people” and also said that “she was clearly an inspiration to everybody whose lives she touched.”
Members of the public lit candles, laid flowers and signed a book of condolences for the Labour MP for Batley & Spen. One particular message claimed “Hate cannot win” – perhaps the must accurate message to reflect the views of Glasgow.
In fact this was the second such ceremony held within the past week as again the public flocked in their hundreds on Monday to mourn the brutal killings in Orlando. Set against a backdrop of the iconic building wrap “People Make Glasgow”, adorned on the side of the local college, the people of Glasgow this week had a simple message: together we must stand against the senseless hatred and violence which has targeted liberty and democracy.
Feature photo credit: Robert Wilson
