Street parties planned across UK in memory of murdered MP Jo Cox

Street parties, picnics and bake-offs will be held across the UK in honour of the murdered Labour MP Jo Cox as part of a new community initiative launched by Jamie Oliver and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The gatherings, called the Great Get Together, are designed to unite people in their neighbourhoods on the weekend of 17-18 June in the biggest local celebrations planned since the Queen’s diamond jubilee.

It is being launched by the Jo Cox Foundation and the Big Lunch, part of the Eden Project, along with dozens of other community groups, at Clarence House in London on Wednesday to encourage people to start organising their events.

Cox’s widower, Brendan, said there could be “no more fitting tribute” to his wife, who died in June 2016. “Jo loved a party and she would have been thrilled by the idea of the Great Get Together,” he said. “As she said in her maiden speech in parliament – we have far more in common than that which divides us.

“Jo wanted a chance to bring our communities together to celebrate what unites us.”

Further details will be announced at the launch hosted by Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, who is patron of the Big Lunch.

Ahead of the launch, Oliver said: “There’s nothing better than a good get together with friends, family and amazing food. The Great Get Together takes it to a whole new level.

“Food connects us to the best things in life – it breaks down barriers, and gets people talking and sharing happy times like nothing else. This is an awesome initiative, and I’m really proud to add my support.”

It comes as a new Jo Cox memorial scholarship programme for female campaigners received more than 100 applications. Pilot funding for three places on a campaigning boot camp has been provided by charity Save the Children, but the organisers are crowdfunding to help more women take up places.