Did Boris go too far?: Parliament rocked by Boris Johnson's insensitive Jo Cox comments

By Eleanor Prothero

The Prime minister has been shamed by the House of Commons and the general public over “disrespectful” remarks about former MP Jo Cox, who was murdered in June of 2016 in Leeds infirmary. Johnson said that the best way to honour Cox’s memory was to “get Brexit done” even though she was a member of the Labour party and therefore would have campaigned against Brexit.

Even many members and supporters of the Conservative party were shocked by his comments, including Johnson’s own sister Rachel Johnson who said that his language was not “tasteful”. These comments have made many labour MPs absolutely furious and are demanding the Prime Minister apologise for his actions and words.

More recently Boris Johnson has apologised for his words saying it was simply a ‘misunderstanding’ however many view this as not good enough because he was still very dismissive when speaking about the matter, and even told people that they should ‘calm down’.

Many people have spoken out about this including the speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow who got emotional during an interview with CNN, where he reflected on Cox’s memory, and said he remembered the moment ‘very keenly’. Another person who feels very passionately is Labour MP Jess Phillips stating that she feels “pity for those who have to toe the line,” and even says that Johnson’s comments have made her feel “scared”.

Jo Cox’s sister Kim Leadbeater spoke to the Commons Home Affairs Committee on the 15th of October, and wishes for future politicians to ‘take responsibility’ for their actions. However she also added that she wasn’t a ‘cheerleader for politics'.

Due to this event Jeremy Corbyn has vowed to tone down his language in the House of Commons and encouraged MPs not to use ‘hyperbolic language that's dangerous’. Therefore it shows how many people can’t trust what comes out of our most valued politicians mouths and makes us question whether the right decisions have been made, and if these comments are ever acceptable, even if it is the Prime Minister, and he had the ‘right intentions’.

Overall Johnson’s comments have brung up many questions to the public, like why is someone who is clearly making ill-informed and almost disrespectful comments about a very serious topic leading our country?