#ThankYourMP has been trending on Twitter following the murder of the Labour MP Jo Cox, with thousands of voters expressing solidarity with their local representatives.
Politicians have been advised to review their security after Cox was gunned down outside her constituency surgery in West Yorkshire on Thursday afternoon.
High-profile columnists have suggested widespread anti-political sentiment could have contributed to a climate in which aggressive ideologies can fester.
Today a reminder that many MPs are not like us. Many are better than us. Many are people we should aspire to be. Treasure them. #ThankYourMP
— (((Rob Ford))) (@robfordmancs) June 16, 2016
A spokeswoman for No 10 said a reminder of safety guidance had been sent to MPs after the attack in Birstall. The advice includes steps representatives can take to stay safe and suggests if they have any concerns they should contact their local police.
Cox was attacked by a man reportedly shouting “Britain first”. Her death comes three months after a man was cautioned for sending her “malicious communications”, but police have confirmed this was not the same man who was arrested on Thursday in connection with the attack.
In Cox’s hometown, hundreds of people, including her Labour colleagues Yvette Cooper and Dan Jarvis, packed into the parish church to hear the bishop of Huddersfield, the Rt Rev Dr Jonathan Gibbs, pay tribute to someone who “gave her life for this community”.
The vicar of Birstall, the Rev Paul Knight, described Cox as passionate about serving her community. He told the BBC: “She was so proud of representing this community – it seemed to be one of her passions and her aims from early on.
“Right from the beginning, when I met her and talked with her, I could see her passion and that she really wanted to serve this community and make it a better place - improve people’s lives.”
Voters took the opportunity to thank their own MPs on Twitter.
Time to #ThankYourMP. Mine is @TomTugendhat . He's an excellent constituency MP who cares and works hard for his constituents. Thanks Tom.
— Richard Mayo (@RichardPMayo) June 17, 2016
#ThankYourMP at a time when there is so much sneering at politics credit to @AlecShelbrooke for helping with a very local planning question
— Jake Fowler (@JakeinYorkshire) June 17, 2016
Thank you @MaryCreaghMP for all the hard work you do in my area. You make a difference. You are appreciated.#ThankYourMP
— Maurice Morgan (@songforzula) June 17, 2016
Others expressed their appreciation for MPs, even though they had not voted for them.
I didn't vote for him, but he works hard for the people of Chelsea and Fulham representing his constituents @GregHands #ThankYourMP
— (((Dan Murphy))) (@Dan_A_Murphy) June 17, 2016
@ben4bath I'm not a Tory voter but been impressed with what you do in Bath and Westminster. Thanks. Not an easy job. #ThankYourMP
— Sarah Jones (@PoetsHaveTaken) June 17, 2016
But not all voters had positive things to say. Some took the opportunity to vent their frustrations.
I can't #ThankYourMP as she blocked me when I questioned her taking freebies for 2012. Sadly they aren't all in politics to help people.
— L S Danvers (@mrsdanvers63) June 17, 2016
I cannot in good conscience participate in #thankyourmp, because my MP is primarily interested in self advancement, not his constituents.
— Bert Swattermain (@BertSwattermain) June 17, 2016
For the most part, however, the tweets were positive and several MPs expressed their appreciation for the sentiment.
Very humbling & touching 2 receive messages of support via #ThankYourMP its privilege & pleasure 2 serve people of Rutherglen & HamiltonWest
— Margaret Ferrier MP (@MargaretFerrier) June 17, 2016
#ThankYourMP is a genuinely humbling sentiment,reminding us how humanity has the ability to turn tragedy into a source of strength.Thankyou
— Clive Lewis MP (@labourlewis) June 16, 2016
Waking up to #ThankYourMP tweets has made waking up in a world without Jo just that little bit easier. Thank you to all who tweeted
— Cat Smith (@CatSmithMP) June 17, 2016
