Campaigners aim to tap into legacy of Jo Cox with plan to tackle racial divisions

A leading anti-racism group has been inspired by the pioneering work of Jo Cox to launch a campaign to tackle tensions over immigration in the aftermath of the bitter EU referendum.

Hope Not Hate plans to use the evocative “more in common” slogan – popularised after the sudden death of the MP – to run local community events to heal divisions as Britain adjust to the reality of Brexit.

HNH will use the campaign to unite communities around common issues and shared values, using September 2 to 4 for a flagship series of events. The weekend will see a large community festival in Batley and Spen as the  centrepiece, as well as hundreds of other activities across the country.

Hope Not Hate launches the campaign today with a #MoreInCommon community cohesion event with faith and community leaders, police and trade unionists, hosted by Labour MPs Jack Dromey and Ruth Smeeth.

Immigration and multiculturalism have become more polarised in the eyes of the British public since the Brexit vote. Hope not Hate polling, carried out with Populus, reveals 63 per cent of Brits believe the country is more divided as a result of the referendum.

Those very comfortable with immigration has increased from 32 to 38 per cent, while 20 per cent are very strongly opposed to multiculturalism and immigration. A further 42 per cent have cultural and economic concerns about immigration.

Campaigners warn that these divisions could turn to anger from those who voted to leave when leaving the EU does not result in stronger immigration controls.

Nick Lowes, chair of HNH, said the campaign would be the start of talking and working together to heal divisions in society.

“As Jo Cox said, we have far more in common than that which divides us. Yet as our new Fear & HOPE poll reveals, society seems more divided than ever after the Referendum.

“That’s why we’ll be encouraging other organisations to support our #MoreInCommon weekend in September, offering our 200,000+ supporters a range of tools and materials to host their own local events.

“Whatever event people wish to hold, we want to see Britain and Britons emerge in a shared spirit, prepared to face difficult issues but also willing to move on ahead – without the toxic narrative of extremists trying poison the air.

“Time and again it has been proved that the more we interact the easier it is to breakdown barriers and find common ground. There are many real and serious problems in our local communities and life for many is very tough. However, we can better solve our problems through talking and working together. Our #MoreInCommon weekend is the start of this process.”

Jo Cox’s life has inspired other campaigns, such as the Jo Cox memorial fund, which raises money for causes important to the MP and has raised almost £1.5m since her death.