RIP Jo Cox MP

[nanila]

A little over a year ago, I wrote this, about what I wanted from the UK government. After the general election, I did something I’d consciously rejected all my adult life: I joined a political party. Slowly, verry slowly, I’ve been getting involved in my local party’s activities. I attended a meeting for the first time about a month ago, about campaigning for the Remain side on the EU referendum.

Now, in my constituency, joining any party other than the Conservatives could be seen as a bit of a jolly. Put it this way: Sajid Javid (Business Secretary) is my MP. He toes the party line so hard it’s a wonder he’s not permanently wearing sandals. But still, for me, a naturally cautious person, it was a big step. Even working myself up to entertaining the idea of campaigning for a political cause took me far outside my comfort zone.

Some of that caution has been trained into me. Many scientists discourage their proteges from being actively political. The message that’s tacitly (and sometimes overtly) drilled into us is that politics is for people who are willing to make bold, brash statements and even change laws based on very little evidence or popular sentiment. This idea is anathema to scientists, who are taught to prize the acquisition of repeatable results and well-considered, demonstrable precepts above all things. It takes months or even years to even think of putting possible conclusions based on those results before your peers.Politicians simply don’t have that kind of time to make decisions.

Anyway, my point is that for the first time in my life, I was actually willing to, however remotely, entertain the notion of running for a political office.

And then, today, Jo Cox MP, who has been outspokenly supportive of refugees and campaigned for the UK to remain in the EU, was killed in the street by a man who allegedly shouted “Britain First”* as he committed the crime.

Jo Cox is, apparently, the first MP to be murdered since Ian Gow, who was killed by a car bomb planted by the IRA. In 1990.

Jo Cox is a woman only a couple of years older than I am. Jo Cox is survived by her husband and two small children, aged three and five.

So if you’re asking, is this heinous crime going to put women off of the idea of becoming active in politics? I can assure you that the answer is yes.

* an ultra-right political group

Comments

[davidgillon]

This, :(

[nanila]

:( I would be delighted to be proved wrong by the younger generation.

[miss_s_b]

*hug*

[nanila]

*cling*

[redsixwing]

*hugs*

[nanila]

Thank you. *hugs back*

[pbristow]

I didn't know you were doing any of that. Another friend who cares enough to do something, cool! =:o}

I don't blame you at all for thinking twice, in the light of this. It remains to be seen if this was an isolated case, or the start of something really ugly... =:o[

[HUGS]

[nanila]

Public blogging habit notwithstanding, there are a few things I play pretty close to the chest. Thanks for the supportive response. :)

I really hope this not a sign of an impending (further) downward spiral.

[lilly_c]

*hugs*

[nanila]

Thank you. *hugs*

[cosmolinguist]

Sending love.

[nanila]

Love gratefully received & reciprocated.

[rmc28]

*sympathy*

This has been a pretty awful week so far hasn't it?

[nanila]

It has. If only we could Ctrl Z the whole thing.

[ironed_orchid]

This week is fired. In fact, 2016 is on notice.

[ironed_orchid]

She sounds exactly like the sort of person I want to politics, which is why it's so awful.

[nanila]

Yes. And she'd only just gotten started. :(

[ironed_orchid]

Oxfam Australia sent out emails to all staff today about her, as people from different offices and countries often work together on humanitarian projects, and some had worked with Jo at various times.

[gwendraith]

Shocking and just so sad *hugs*

[nanila]

It's horribly depressing. *hugs back*

[nadriel]

:-(

[nanila]

:'( indeed

[cmcmck]

I was a Labour party member almost from the cradle (granddaughter of union Activist colliers on both sides of the family) but resigned over Iraq and the 'Kelly Affair'.

And yes- this was an attack against women- all women. Jo Cox was 5' nothing. Big brave man in his military fatigues (we all know the sort) attacking someone half his size!

Yesterday I was in tears, today I am just bloody angry.

[nanila]

An attack on women and an attack on a woman who spoke out on behalf of the most despised and powerless (immigrants, children, refugees). I'm still very depressed.

[soliano]

This makes no sense in any fashion other than an attack on women. The guy was a whacko who figured he would be famous and strike a blow against women getting uppity. It is horrible and shameful that a society can breed individuals like this. Sadly it may be a cost of a free society. Stay safe.

[nanila]

The ongoing police investigation is clearly indicating that he was a neo Nazi. So it wasn't just about outspoken women. It was about women with the ability to (at least try to) wield power whose beliefs are perceived to pose a threat to white Britain.

[silveradept]

Woof. Could we please stop with the violence based in differences?

I'd like to believe that this would bring a flood of women to want to be MPs and part of the Civil Service, but really, if there's one, there a whole nest and a lot of silent supporters.

[nanila]

Could we please stop with the violence based in differences?

I would love for that to happen but I'm genuinely frightened by how polarised the global political discourse (not just in the US and Britain) has become.

Nevertheless, I am hopeful that there are women being emboldened to join the political establishment, and who will not be deterred by this act.

[silveradept]

Women face incredible amounts of violence daily. As much as I hate to admit things have gotten this bad, there are probably plenty of women who go into politics with the knowledge that they may face this themselves.

Discourse these days seems to resemble the frightened tantrums of children desperately clinging to an idea that has long since passed.