great

adjective

1. of an extent, amount, or intensity considerably above average
2. of ability, quality or eminence, considerably above average

Today, politicians of every party are trying to comprehend the incomprehensible following the death of Jo Cox. Members of parliament new and old did not need to know Jo well to know her works. Politicians are known by their words as well as by their deeds, yet, ultimately in life, it is by our deeds that we shall be known.

Jo’s political career, characterised by insight, intelligence and experience illustrated an emerging greatness. Undoubtedly one of the most capable among the 2015 intake, in all likelihood a stellar political career lay before her.

The way in which Jo has been taken from our national political life leaves an indelible stain on our national history, a permanent scar that can never and will never leave our national conversation.

That we are currently a disunited kingdom, ill at ease with ourselves, our neighbours and our place in the world seems beyond doubt. In an era of post-truth politics, truth has never been more valuable, yet so seldom valued. The truth matters and, at the time of writing, the truth is that we do not know if Jo’s death is in any way linked to our increasingly embittered political culture.

Jo’s death has given rise to deep, national introspection; a collective mourning and a searching of our national soul.

Jo believed in a better world. She worked for such a world and devoted her life to it. Her life, her achievements and her example are proof that a better world is possible. And Jo was one of us: proof of what Britain stands for and of the people we are capable of being and enriching this world with. Over the coming days and weeks, we will ask ourselves the question: What is modern Britain? The answer can be found in the life of Jo Cox.

The truth will out and the truth is this: Jo Cox made a remarkable difference to our world, inside and outside of parliament. Driving from Westminster to Whitehaven yesterday as the news broke, I was reminded of the words of Ted Kennedy. Words for us to live by, words with which to remember Jo Cox by:

For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die

And in the midst of this extraordinary tragedy, in the wake of this incredible theft from our national life, the words of Philip Larkin have never held more meaning:

What will survive of us is love

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Jamie Reed MP is member of parliament for Copeland. He writes The Last Word column on Progress and tweets @jreedmp

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Photo: Brendan Cox