Kate Osborne MP: We must not allow hatred to win

Ten years ago this week, my colleague Jo Cox was murdered by a Neo Nazi, whilst on her way to meet constituents, serving as an MP and doing what she believed in most - bringing people together.

Jo’s symbolic words “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us” continue to resonate because they speak to something fundamental about who we are and who we aspire to be as a society.

A decade on, it feels important not only to remember Jo, but to reflect honestly on the tone of our public debate and what kind of country we want to build.

Politics matters because it shapes lives. Debate matters because people hold different experiences and different views. But there is a difference between disagreement and dehumanisation.

Political disagreement, holding politicians to account is a must in democracy, and disagreements continue to treat the other person as people, as equals, yet too often now instead we see the tone of debate and interactions become dehumanizing, treating people as if they are worthless, like they do not belong, stripping people of their dignity, empathy, and individuality.

Increasingly we see anger rewarded, outrage amplified and communities pitted against one another.

We see headlines designed to divide, social media encouraging conflict over conversation and rhetoric that treats people’s identities and lives as political battlegrounds.

And we see the consequences, people attacked because of the colour of their skin, their religion, their sexual orientation.

We see an increase in intolerance and people pushing hate to line their own pockets and build their own profiles - when we allow this hate to win we are all the poorer for it.

Words matter. They shape culture. They signal who belongs and who doesn’t. They influence whether people feel safe, welcomed and valued in their own communities.

When political leaders show indifference towards Pride, or dismiss concerns raised by LGBT+ communities, it sends a clear message, whether intended or not, about who is welcome and who matters.

And our response matters - it is wonderful to see so many people standing up against the rising tide of hate.

So many in Gateshead, Sunderland, South Tyneside saying we will stand up for our communities and we will stand together.

It is Pride Month, and it's been brilliant to see so many people say well if the Council are attacking Pride and refusing to fly the flag we will do it ourselves.

Flags flying at Hebburn Pride, Gateshead Quayside on HMS Calliope, the LGBT Veterans, and youth groups standing together and they will be flying throughout the month at many different events

Our community sticks together, they did at Hebburn Pride and they will do the same this weekend at the Jarrow Rebel Festival.

Pride is not just a celebration. It remains an act of resistance, visibility, solidarity and belonging.

Pride in the North East has always been rooted in community. Organisations like Out North East do brilliant work every day supporting LGBT+ people across generations and creating spaces where people can simply be themselves.

I know many people feel anxious about the direction of travel. Rights that people fought for over decades can begin to feel less secure. Progress is never guaranteed.

But history also teaches us something else.

Change has always come because ordinary people organised, stood together and refused to accept exclusion as inevitable.

From Pride marches to trade union movements, from community campaigns to local volunteers hanging banners in difficult weather, progress is built by people.

It’s been 55 years since people gathered for the first Pride marches inspired by the Stonewall uprising. Their message was simple, people should not have to hide who they are to be accepted.

That message still matters.

Next weekend people will march through Sunderland City Centre to Keel Square – loud, proud and visible.

There will be speeches, music and celebration, but there will also be purpose.

Because Pride has always been about more than one day. It is about making sure people know they belong.

That is the lesson I think Jo Cox would still recognise today.

That time and time again we choose not to let division define us.

That we reject the idea that someone else’s identity, dignity or freedom comes at the expense of our own.

That we understand our communities are strongest when everybody belongs.

Ten years after Jo’s death, and in a month dedicated to celebrating love, visibility and inclusion, perhaps that is the challenge for all of us.

To speak with care.

To disagree without hatred.

To show solidarity when others are targeted.

And to remember that our differences should never stop us recognising our common humanity.

Because hate will not win.

And because there will always be far more that unites us than divides us.