Moray councillors back Jo Cox Civility Pledge on 10th anniversary of her death
Moray councillors have signed up to the Jo Cox Civility Pledge, marking the 10th anniversary of the MP’s death and committing to a more respectful way of doing politics locally.
Jo Cox, the Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen, was killed on 16 June 2016. She is remembered for her belief that “we have far more in common than that which divides us.” Ten years on, her legacy continues through campaigns encouraging kindness, respect and unity in public life.
The Jo Cox Civility Pledge is a national commitment for elected representatives to treat others with respect, challenge abuse and intimidation, and promote healthy, constructive debate. By signing the pledge, councillors promise to set an example in how they speak to each other, to staff, and to the public - both in person and online.
Councillors in Moray who have signed say the pledge is an important reminder that politics works best when people listen to each other and disagree well.
Moray Council Leader, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: “Marking the 10th anniversary of Jo Cox’s death is a moment for reflection across all levels of public life. At this time, we also remember Sir David Amess MP, who was murdered on 15 October 2021. By signing this pledge, we are making a clear commitment to respectful debate and to setting a positive example for our communities. We can have strong views and still treat each other with dignity.”
Cllr John Cowe, Moray Council’s Civic Leader, added: “Jo Cox’s message about bringing people together is as important today as it was a decade ago. The civility pledge is about how we behave as representatives and how we build trust with the public. Respect and kindness should be at the heart of everything we do.”
They also hope their support will help set the tone ahead of the next local government elections, due in 2027. Elections can be a time of strong opinions and lively debate, but councillors say there is no place for personal attacks, harassment or abuse.
The councillors are encouraging others involved in local politics, including candidates, campaigners and members of the public, to reflect on how they engage with each other, especially as local election activity begins to increase over the coming months again.
They say that by working together to improve standards of behaviour, Moray can lead by example and help rebuild trust in politics.