BOLTON fell silent yesterday to remember MP Joanne Cox and spread the message that ‘love is stronger than hate’.

Civic dignitaries gathered on the town hall steps in Victoria Square to light a candle of remembrance to the MP for Batley and Spen, who died yesterday after being stabbed and shot following a constituency meeting in Birstall, West Yorkshire.

Canon Matt Thompson, vicar of Bolton Parish Church led a two minute silence for the married mother of two before friend and fellow Labour MP for Bolton South East, Yasmin Qureshi, paid moving tribute.

Ms Qureshi said she had been ‘absolutely shell shocked’ by the news of Mrs Cox’s death and spoke of a politician who dedicated her life to helping others.

“Jo was not just a labour colleague, she was wonderful, wonderful person and a brilliant member of parliament for her constituency,” said Ms Qureshi.

“As chair of the all parliamentary group on Syria, for months and months she’s been raising the plight of the refugees and urging our government to help the people in Syria.

“Before that she had worked for charities like Oxfam. All her life, Jo had devoted herself to public duty services and fighting for people’s rights; fighting for human rights.

“She was not just a beautiful person from the inside, but a beautiful person from outside as well.

“She is going to leave a big vacuum. I know that all my colleagues across the house, irrespective of political parties have been struck and are in shock about what has happened.”

Echoing the words of Mrs Cox’s husband, Brendan Cox, she added: “Hate has no religion, no creed or culture. What we need is more love. Love is what conquers everyone.

“Jo has touched our hearts and she will be remembered forever and for what she stood for – for kindness, compassion, equality and love.

“We will miss you Jo. May your soul rest in peace.”

A large number of shoppers and office staff filled Victoria Square to listen to the ceremony and pay their respects through a two minute silence, prayer, and a round of applause for Mrs Cox's hard work as an MP.

Rev Thompson said it was an ‘incredibly sad occasion’ and led a two minute silence, as well as a two minute applause for Mrs Cox.

He said: “Jo Cox was someone who believed in making the world a better place. In honour of her I hope that we can continue to come together, to continue to overcome hatred and division and to continue to make our town, and world, a better place.

“Love is stronger than hate.”

Ms Quershi later added: “Jo was friendly; very warm and very kind, which you can see through the work that she was doing.

“She was relaxed and friendly; very likeable, personable and had a good sense of humour. She was a very good person.”

MP for Bolton West, Chris Green, added: “The sincerity of what her friends and colleagues right across the house have said and especially the words from Yasmin today just really captured what a wonderful human being Jo Cox was.”

Leader of Bolton Council, Cliff Morris, said: “Even for those who did not know her, from the small glimpse into her life we've seen through the news coverage, it is clear to see how she rose to represent her community as its MP. They were very lucky indeed to have her voice on their side and our Parliament, and party, were all the stronger to have her.

“Our hearts go to her family and they remain in our prayers.”