Parliamentarians Unite Across Political Divides for Launch of the 'Great Get Together Beer' Marking 10 Years Since the Murder of Jo Cox MP

• MPs and Peers from across political divides are gathering in Westminster bars to launch a special initiative encouraging people to come together across differences.

• Westminster event kicks off the national countdown for the 10th anniversary Great Get Together that will see hundreds of community events taking place nationwide from 19-21 June.

• Campaign urges British locals to get involved and champion Jo Cox’s belief: “We have far more in common than that which divides us.”

Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum gathered in Westminster this week to put differences aside over ‘The Great Get Together Beer’. The initiative marks a major, poignant milestone: the tenth anniversary of the murder of Jo Cox MP.

The parliamentary launch kicks off the final countdown to a nationwide campaign by The Jo Cox Foundation ahead of The Great Get Together weekend (19-21 June). The Foundation is encouraging the pub industry to get involved as important places where people from all walks of life already connect, converse and cross paths.

Parliamentarians raised a glass to celebrate Jo’s legacy and the places that keep communities together. As the political community sets an example of cross-party unity in Parliament, the campaign aims to see neighborhoods and local venues follow suit, proving that community spirit remains stronger than division.

While the countdown began in Westminster, the national weekend itself will see people connecting in a vast array of ways. From street parties, neighborhood picnics, and community sports days to interfaith gatherings and school assemblies, the initiative aims to show the country what is possible when people choose connection over division.

Kim Leadbeater MP, sister of Jo Cox, said: “We had the original Great Get Together Beer in 2017, a year after Jo was killed, and I am delighted to see it return for the 10th anniversary. Pubs and clubs sit at the heart of our communities, and few things bring people together quite like sharing a drink. The Great Get Together Beer is a reminder that community is built through simple acts of connection and finding common ground.”

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “Every pub is a parliament, or so the saying goes. For centuries, the great British pub has been the “glue and fabric” of communities up and down the country, as the Prince of Wales correctly observed only last week. As anchor businesses on our nation’s high streets, they bring much more than economic value, as vitally important as that is. They provide the space to celebrate and commiserate, a place to make friends and meet friends, and provide the antidote for social ills like loneliness and isolation – vital community spaces where people get together while sharing a delicious pint of beer. There can be no better place than the pub to celebrate the Great Get Together on this important anniversary.”

Tania Antoniazzi MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Beer said: “As Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, I see first hand the economic and social importance of beer and pubs in our local communities. Pubs are where we gather to share a pint with neighbours, friends and family, to celebrate and commiserate together. I am delighted to launch the Great British Get Together Beer in Parliament with my colleague Kim Leadbeater in memory of her sister, Jo Cox, and encourage everyone to support the Great British Get Together this June.”

Fergus Fitzgerald, Production Director at Adnams, said: “As the lead brewery for the Great Get Together collaboration beer back in 2017 we’re really pleased to be supporting the Great Get Together again and to help make sure that on the tenth anniversary of Jo’s death, we all recognise that we have we have far more in common than that which divides us.”

Richard Bradbury, Managing Director of Theakston brewery, said: “As a Yorkshire brewery and a supporter of the first Great Get Together Beer in 2017 we are proud to be supporting Jo’s sister Kim and her Run for Jo and other events. The Great Get Together is an important reminder of how getting together in our local communities makes us all realise we have a lot in common.”

Andrew Carter, CEO of Timothy Taylors, said: “We’re proud to have teamed up with another great Yorkshire brewery - our friends at Theakstons - to provide beers for the Run for Jo and the Great Get Together. It’s another demonstration of the solidarity that sits at the heart of Jo Cox’s legacy. Jo was a great Yorkshire woman who knew the power of bringing people together in our communities, across Yorkshire and throughout the UK.”

The Jo Cox Foundation is inviting communities and organisers across the country to get involved over the weekend of 19-21 June by organising or attending a Get Together near them.

In addition, publicans are encouraged to put ‘The Great Get Together Beer’ on tap to spark conversations about Jo’s message that “we have more in common than that which divides us.”

How to get involved:

• To register or find a local community event, visit: www.jocoxfoundation.org/our-work/stronger-communities/great-get-together/

• Publicans and breweries can download official pump clip assets and register their pub events at: www.jocoxfoundation.org/beer

Notes to Editors:

• About The Jo Cox Foundation: The Jo Cox Foundation was established in 2016 following the murder of Jo Cox MP. The Foundation works to spread Jo’s message that “we have far more in common than that which divides us”, and ensure the UK’s communities and democracy are strengthened by connection and a respect across difference.

• About The Great Get Together: Taking place from 19-21 June, The Great Get Together is an annual national event inspired by Jo Cox’s maiden speech in Parliament. This year marks a major milestone, commemorating ten years since her passing.

• About beer and pub industry involvement: Adnams are providing beers in cask to be served in the Palace of Westminster bars in the House of Commons and House of Lords, Theakstons and Timothy Taylor have teamed up to provide bottled beers for events including the Run for Jo hosted by Jo’s sister Kim Leadbeater MP in Jo’s old constituency and the British Beer and Pub Association and Punch Pubs are all helping to promote the GGT and encourage people to get together in their local.

For more information: media@jocoxfoundation.org

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