I
know that you will all wish to join me in expressing heartfelt
condolences to Jo Cox's family and friends. Murder can never be
condoned, but the murder of a Member of Parliament going about her
lawful business of representing her constituents is especially shocking,
and is an attack on the parliamentary democracy that means so much to
us all.
On
Wednesday evening, along with my good friend, Jim Carver MEP, I took
part in an excellent BBC Hereford and Worcester debate against Mark
Garnier MP and Emma Reynolds MP. Despite our strongly differing views,
the debate was conducted in a friendly, civilised fashion. That is the
British way, and long may it remain so.
I
well recall my horror at learning, on 29 January 2000, that my then MP,
Nigel Jones had been attacked with a samurai sword in his constituency
office in Cheltenham - an attack in which Andrew Pennington, a Liberal
Democrat Councillor was murdered.
Yesterday
evening I reminisced with Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP about the horrific
attempt to wipe out the Prime Minister and much of her cabinet at the
Grand Hotel, Brighton in October 1984. Margaret Thatcher then famously
said to John Sergeant, "The Conference will go on. The conference will go on, as
usual." That was, surely, the correct response, and one that, after a
judicious pause for reflection, we should follow next week as we focus,
in sombre and serious mien, on the momentous referendum ahead.
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Simon Richards
Chief Executive
The Freedom Association
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