Jo Cox MP (1974-2016)

Pembroke is deeply shocked and saddened by the death of Jo Cox MP. Jo came to Pembroke from Heckmondwike Grammar School as Jo Leadbeater in 1992, and studied Archaeology and Anthropology then Social and Political Science. She thoroughly embraced College life and was an energetic and respected member of the Junior Parlour (JCR). She graduated in 1995 and before being elected to Parliament as Labour Member for Batley and Spen at the 2015 General Election, she had served as an adviser to Sarah Brown and Baroness Kinnock and had been Head of Policy for Oxfam.

The Master of Pembroke, Lord Smith of Finsbury said, “This is the most tragic and terrible news. Pembroke College was enormously proud of Jo, who had already achieved so much in her work for Oxfam and the Freedom Fund, and especially in just over a year in Parliament. Our hearts go out to her family, her friends and colleagues, and we grieve for someone with so much promise who has been cruelly taken from us all.”

Jo’s former Director of Studies, Barbara Bodenhorn said, “her commitment to making a contribution to the world at large was evident from her earliest days in Pembroke as an undergraduate.”

Former Labour Lords staffer, Muna Abbas, has also issued a reflection on her friend and home town MP which can be found here.