The former Coronation Street, EastEnders and Emmerdale actor was a close friend of Cox, who was shot and stabbed to death in her West Yorkshire constituency on 16 June.
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Brendan, a campaigner and activist who vowed to continue his wife’s work, has said in an article published in the New York Times on Friday: “In the months since Jo’s murder, I’ve been focused on two things: first, on loving our children and giving them the security, support and reassurance they need to survive what happened”.
Former soap actress Tracy Brabin says that preventing the down grading of Dewsbury Hospital will be high on the agenda, if she wins the seat on the 20th October.
“But I am the only person on the ballot paper who can stand up for everyone in Batley and Spen”.
The main political parties have announced that they will not contest the seat as mark of respect, however it is expected the English Democrats and Liberty GB will field candidates.
Brabin, who is from Batley and frequently campaigned with Cox, paid tribute to the late MP at her funeral in July, calling her a “true inspiration and an extraordinary woman”. An independent candidate has also said he will stand.
Ms Brabin was brought up in a council flat in the constituency and her mother owned a popular local cafe called Betty’s.
Ms Brabin, who appeared in Coronation Street as Tricia Armstrong, Emmerdale and EastEnders, was born in Batley.
Ms Thomas contested the seat of Keighley in West Yorkshire at the 2010 general election, but lost to the Tories.
Brabin has also written for shows including Heartbeat, Shameless, Family Affairs, Crossroads and Hollyoaks. “She’ll be a strong voice for everyone”. “He was excellent with the kids, we talked about Jo, fighting extremism & the kids gave him their best drawings”. The Conservatives took second place and UKIP came third.
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“I would like to carry on her legacy of being very much a hands-on MP, if everything goes well”.
