Jo Cox: roses float on boat down the Thames in honour of MP

A boat filled with flowers and emblazoned with the words “Yorkshire Rose” was to float down the Thames to Parliament today in memory of Jo Cox.

It was to coincide with a major event in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the life and works of the MP, whose death last week shook the country.

Mrs Cox’s husband, Brendan, today invited Londoners to join him at the gathering, on what would have been his wife’s 42nd birthday.

U2 recorded a song for the MP, which was to be played at the event, while global figures including activist Malala Yousafzai were set to pay tribute.

The Labour MP for Batley and Spen died after being stabbed and shot outside her constituency surgery last week.

Since then Mr Cox has rallied grieving supporters, calling on them to “fight against the hatred that killed her”.

Ahead of today’s “More in Common” event he said on Twitter: “Today would have been Jo’s birthday. If you can, please join us this afternoon to celebrate her life & legacy.”

Friends of the MP were to tow the dinghy along the river to Parliament by 3.30pm. It will be moored there for a week.

When in London, Mr and Mrs Cox and their two children lived on a houseboat moored at the Hermitage Moorings Co-Op in Wapping.

Today David Kew, 52, a film maker and founding member of the Co-op, was putting the finishing touches to the boat.

He said: “What is special about today is Jo always loved the idea of going up the river in her little boat to go to work.

“The memorial started very much as a personal tribute to Jo from the community here but we are aware of the impact her death has had on everyone in the country. We hope our Yorkshire rose tribute will be on behalf of the whole country.”

Maria Carey, 39, a member of the Hermitage Moorings Coop, said: “Jo was always positive and full of life. She was a big personality. A friend of hers said whenever Jo gave you a hug it was like she bolstered you enough to go forward.”