“Britain first”, shouted that piece of human excrement Thomas Mair as he set about murdering Jo Cox, the diminutive MP for Batley and Spen. Even as she died, Jo Cox called for her assistants to move aside, to let her suffer Mair’s murderous attacks alone. A tiny, courageous human shield. There were several acts of bravery in this terrible incident but none belonged to Mair, the sick Nazi terrorist, who took the life of an innocent woman and almost that of an heroic 78 year old who tried to intervene. Life inprisonment for Mair really will mean life for Mair and I hope hates every single day of it.
I so admired her widower, Brendan Cox, when he spoke to camera. He did not want “retribution” but felt “nothing but pity” for Mair. I am not sure I would be so calm, measured and above all right. The hate that caused Mair to do what he did actually set off some love. And that is what should give us all hope.
I am against capital punishment under any circumstances. I do not support an eye for an eye because I want to see someone punished. Hanging someone may bring about relief that someone is no longer alive and I get that. I have heard on many occasions the phrase “hanging is too good for him.” I’ve probably said it in anger, following some hideous crime. And as it didn’t affect me, it was probably easier to say “I don’t believe in capital punishment.” I don’t think capital punishment is sufficient punishment.
Victims’ families are given a life sentence and that’s the sentence I would like to hand to the likes of Mair. Having been in a couple of prisons, in a professional capacity, you understand, I would not like to be banged up for one night, never mind for the rest of my life. The prisons I have seen do not resemble the cushy world presented by the likes of the Sun and Daily Mail, quite the opposite. They are harsh, dark places with an endless sound echo, mainly of locks and chains. I could not get out quick enough.
Yes, there is too much hate in the world, like that generated by America’s president elect and illustrated by the increase in hate crime following our decision to leave the EU. Look at the daily news and hate is everywhere. But Thomas Mair’s hate will not win out.
Mair appeared to live a grim life, a loner and now a leper, a non-achiever who will die hopefully long after we have forgotten who he was, whose notoriety will disappear into the sewers, just like that of similar cowards from the past.
Time to forget her killer and think about Jo Cox who always stood and fought for good. Mair took her life but not her legacy. Eventually, good will triumph over hate. If it doesn’t, we won’t be on this earth for much longer.
