Jo Cox would have reacted with "outrage" to a controversial poster unveiled by Nigel Farage showing refugees queuing to get into the EU, according to her friend the Labour MP Stephen Kinnock.
The pro-Brexit poster was revealed in central London on Thursday with the slogan Breaking Point and it was almost instantly condemned by politicians from across the political spectrum.
An emotional Mr Kinnock, who shared a parliamentary office with Mrs Cox, said the MP for Batley and Spen would have reacted with anger to the poster as he warned that "rhetoric has consequences".
READ MORE: Jo Cox murder accused makes first appearance at the Old Bailey
Mr Kinnock was in tears as Commons Speaker John Bercow started paying tribute to Mrs Cox, who was killed last Thursday.
But when he rose to speak he did so strongly and with conviction as he urged MPs to "build a politics of hope not fear, respect not hate, unity not division".
"I can only imagine Jo's reaction had she seen the poster unveiled hours before her death," he said.
"A poster on the streets of Britain that demonised hundreds of desperate refugees including hungry, terrified children fleeing from the terror of Isis and from Russian bombs.
"She would have responded with outrage and with a robust rejection of the calculated narrative of cynicism, division and despair that it represents.
"Because Jo understood that rhetoric has consequences.
"When insecurity, fear and anger are used to light a fuse, then an explosion is inevitable."
READ MORE: Jo Cox's sister pays tribute to 'utterly amazing woman'
Mr Kinnock said the nation must follow the words of Mrs Cox's husband Brendan and "fight against the hatred that killed Jo".
"It is the politics of division, of fear, the harking back to incendiary slogans and the rhetoric of Britain First that twists patriotism from love of country into an ugly loathing of others," he said.
"We must now stand up for something better because of someone better.
"In the name of Jo Cox and all that is decent we must not let this atrocity intimidate our democracy.
READ MORE: David Cameron denies using Jo Cox's death for political advantage
"We must now work to build a more respectful and united country because this is our time to honour the legacy of the proud Yorkshire lass who dedicated her life to the common good and who was so cruelly taken away from us in the prime of her life.
"Jo Cox: We love you, we salute you and we shall never forget you."
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