'A light has gone out': Gwent politicians pay tribute to Labour MP killed in street

Mother-of-two Jo Cox, 41, was shot in the street by a man reportedly shouting "Britain first" at lunchtime in Birstall today.

The alleged gunman was arrested near the scene soon after the attack.

Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds, who had only been with Ms Cox at a party event on Tuesday, said she was a “tireless campaigner for social justice” who will be deeply missed.

He said: "She’s gone far, far too soon but even in just over a year of being in Parliament with her, the tributes we are reading give you an indication of how she touched so many people and gained respect from so many parties.

“She was wonderful. Apart from being a fantastic campaigner, she was one of the kindest and generous people I knew. She was a shining light in politics.

“You could see from the earliest days in the House of Commons that she was going to make an enormous difference to people’s lives.”

Echoing these sentiments, Islwyn MP Chris Evans said Ms Cox was an “absolute whirlwind” who taught her colleagues to be more compassionate.

He said: “In the short time we had with her, she showed us so many lessons about caring for those less fortunate, wherever they are in the world.

“She was so friendly, bright and bubbly. It feels like a light has gone out tonight.

“It doesn’t matter where you’re from, we’re all human beings and more unites us than divides us and I think that’s her epitaph really.”

Newport West MP Paul Flynn said he was still in shock that an “act of madness” could take away someone with such promise.

He said: “She had a wonderful record working for Oxfam and made a stellar impression as a new MP. She was certainly one of the brightest stars of Labour’s future.

“It’s hard to conceive an event like this taken place. It’s very difficult to take in. We are all bereaved as a family and the whole of the Labour movement as a constituency.”

Monmouth MP David Davies, who sat on the opposite bench as a Conservative, said he was devastated by the news.

He said: “We could all see she was a very kind and decent person and the reality is people assume we don’t get on opposite benches, but that’s not true. When we walk out of that chamber, we leave it all behind.

“She’s going to be missed by all of Parliament and no doubt in her constituency. I’m just very sad for her family and her young children.”

First Minister and Welsh Labour Leader Carwyn Jones said Jo "was a clever, selfless and courageous public servant":

“Everyone is in profound shock at the sad and tragic death of Jo Cox.

“Jo had many, many friends in the Welsh Labour party and we all admired her passion and dedication to social justice.

“She died serving her community and our thoughts and prayers go out to her husband and young family.”

Labour MP for Newport East Jessica Morden said she has found it difficult to come up with words in after hearing about Ms Cox's death but said: "Jo was a hugely talented, committed and a beautiful person. 

"All our love and prayers to her family."

AM for Monmouth Nick Ramsay has paid tribute.

He said: "Words cannot express my shock and grief at the murder of Jo Cox.

“Jo was a great person, a caring mother and a dedicated Member of Parliament.

“She died as she lived, fulfilling her duty to her community, doing the job she loved.

“Let us honour her by remembering her key message - what unites us is far greater than that which divides us.

“Our thoughts are with her family at this tragic time."