Jo Cox

Cox's maiden speech on 3 June 2015 moves from the towns, communities and manufacturers of Batley and Spen to specific questions about regional economic power. Local humour and concrete products make the constituency vivid before she asks whether devolution will bring resources as well as promises. Her celebrated appeal to common ground is therefore part of an argument, not an isolated sentiment. The speech illustrates warmth used to establish a shared starting point for scrutiny of government policy.