How memories of sister Jo Cox inspired Kim Leadbeater's foray into politics

New Batley and Spen MP vows to change tone of public life in Britain

On claiming victory in the Batley and Spen by-election, Kim Leadbeater made a point of thanking the police.

Her gratitude was poignant given that her sister, the seat’s former MP Jo Cox, was murdered in the constituency by a neo-Nazi in 2016.

“I want to say a huge thank you to the police who, sadly, I have needed more than ever over the last few weeks,” she said from the winning podium on Friday.

Some candidates said it was the first time police officers were seen at an election count.

It came after a series of dirty tricks, claims of intimidation including assaults, fake leaflets, racism and homophobia during the campaign, prompting calls for police and election officials to intervene.

When she threw her hat into the ring, the 44-year-old former personal trainer – who was the only by-election candidate who lived in the constituency – said she would run to represent those who were “disillusioned and disengaged” with politics.

She reiterated her pledge to focus on local issues by vowing to “speak up ... so the voice of this constituency is heard loud and clear”.

But the death of her sister – who is commemorated in the House of Commons with a plaque above a motto that reads 'More in Common' – was the telling factor behind her decision to enter the political field.

Ms Leadbeater is an ambassador for the Jo Cox Foundation, a charity set up in 2017 that aims to build a “fairer, kinder and more tolerant world”.

She was awarded a Medal of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year’s honours for her services to social cohesion and work in her community of Batley and Spen, where she is leader of the More in Common volunteer group.

In an interview with The National last month, she said following in her sister’s footsteps was one of the hardest decisions of her life.

“Whether to stand was the most difficult decision I have ever had to make,” she said.

“In the end what decided it for me was thinking how upsetting it would be if someone who doesn’t love this community got the job. I’d be really worried about the damage that would do to this community.

“As an MP I would be a strong local candidate, speaking up for the place where I was born in and have lived in all my life. Whatever background people have, they have the same concerns when I speak to them.”

She said her family will “never be the same” again following the tragedy but they have helped each other through the “dark times” and her parents are supporting her decision to become a politician.

“As Jo used to say to me: If good people don’t step up, then nothing will change,” she said.

On Friday, she again spoke of the inspiration provided by her sister.

“Jo said I needed to push myself,” she told Sky News.

In another interview with the BBC, she said her sister has been at the forefront of her mind since the murder.

“I’ve thought about Jo an awful lot during these last five years. This was a hugely emotional decision for me to put myself forward and it’s a hugely emotional victory. I was thinking about her children and thinking 'I can’t wait to give them the biggest hug ever',” she said.

"If I could be half the MP Jo was, then that would be pretty good going."

Labour managed to hold its ground in the seat despite an attempt by firebrand leftist George Galloway, leader of the Workers Party of Britain, to split the main opposition party's vote.

Ms Leadbeater also fought off a challenge from Britain's ruling Conservative party to hang on to a parliamentary seat that if lost, would have heaped the pressure on Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to stand down.

The victory, clinched by a narrow margin of only 323 votes, hands Mr Starmer a reprieve from those questioning whether he can rebuild Britain's main opposition party after a 2019 general election disaster.

Ms Leadbeater said the experience only strengthened her resolve to make British politics kinder.

“I suffered abuse and intimidation myself, members of my campaign team were abused in the street and had things thrown at them. Someone’s been arrested,” she said.

“I’ve spent the last five years working in the Jo Cox Foundation to try and improve civility in public life. I’m now in the middle of it and things do need to change. We need to look at how we speak to people we disagree with.”