Politicians from all major parties have backed a request to the Speaker of the House of Commons that they break with tradition and sit together in honour of Jo Cox when they gather on Monday.
Tim Farron, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, was the latest MP to come out in support of the suggestion from the Conservative MP Jason McCartney, who wrote to John Bercow, the Speaker, on Friday.
Although there are no official rules against MPs from rival parties voluntarily choosing to sit together or on opposite sides of the chamber, a seating plan is normally observed strictly, divided by political party.
McCartney’s letter read: “MPs of all parties are united in grief and admiration for Jo. Would it please be possible and break with tradition and for MPs to mix cross party on the benches on Monday to show we are united in fighting hatred?”
I've written to Mr Speaker to request if backbench MPs can sit together cross party in the House of Commons on Monday in tribute to #JoCox
— Jason McCartney MP (@JasonMcCartney) June 17, 2016
Farron tweeted that it was a “great idea”, while John Nicholson of the SNP said: “Lovely idea that we all sit together in solidarity with Jo on Monday, Jason. I support it.”
Symbolism matters. This is a great idea. I hope we can do this on Monday to show we all stand united against hate. https://t.co/anbKA0JDAb
— Tim Farron (@timfarron) June 18, 2016
.Lovely idea that we all sit together in solidarity with Jo on Monday Jason. I support it. @JasonMcCartney
— JOHN NICOLSON M.P. (@MrJohnNicolson) June 18, 2016
Diana Johnson of the Labour party is also behind the suggestion, saying it would show “solidarity across political parties”.
Jason a brilliant idea of showing solidarity across political parties. We all stand together in defending democracy. https://t.co/lWdxtqc1vZ
— Diana Johnson (@DianaJohnsonMP) June 18, 2016
One Labour MP, Lucy Powell, who was close to Cox, was unsure how she felt about the idea. She said: “It’s a nice gesture and I won’t oppose it but inevitably a lot of us will want to sit together because we all were her friends and knew her in a different sort of way.
“It’s going to be a very moving occasion and people who knew Jo well, which will predominately be Labour MPs, will likely want to sit with each other, hold hands and comfort each other.”
Bercow did not respond to a request for comment.
