SIR Keir Starmer paid tribute to the late Jo Cox and her sister, Kim Leadbeater MP, during his first Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons.
Kim Leadbeater, who was elected MP for the new constituency of Spen Valley on July 4, praised the Prime Minister for “resetting the dial on politics as public service and as a force for good”.
She asked him to join her in “wishing the very best of luck to the 83 cyclists who have set off from West Yorkshire this morning on the ninth Jo Cox Way bike ride travelling 280 miles down the country to London celebrating all that we have in common”.
In reply, the Prime Minister said he wished them good luck and said it was a brilliant cause.
He said: “The whole house misses our dear friend Jo Cox and I know that she would have been incredibly proud to see this Government in place and she would have played a big part in it.”
He welcomed Ms Leadbeater back to the Commons, saying, “I know that she will continue in Jo’s spirit with the same dedication and determination.”
The Prime Minister also welcomed Jo and Kim’s parents, Gordon and Jean, who were watching from the gallery and later joined them on the House of Commons Terrace.
Kim’s mum Jean said: “Gordon and I felt incredibly privileged to have been present at the first PMQs of this new Government.
"We were very proud to hear such a lovely tribute to Jo, who we miss every day, but also to hear Kim speak so powerfully about the values we all share as a family.”
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