TEARS were shed and candles were lit as around 50 mourners gathered in Stroud to pay tribute to Jo Cox, the Labour MP who was tragically murdered in her constituency yesterday.

A minute’s silence was held among the crowd to remember the mother of two, who was brutally shot and stabbed during a daylight attack outside her West Yorkshire constituency surgery.

Councillors, campaigners and residents of all ages and political parties formed a vigil on Stroud High Street at noon to mourn her death and celebrate her life.

Jo was described as “an MP with huge compassion” who had “fought for a better world defined by love not hate”.

Newly elected Labour councillor Skeena Rathor, who organised the vigil, said Jo had embodied all that was good and right in politics.

“I feel heartbroken,” she said. “Jo was an incredible woman.”

“She woke up every morning and asked ‘what can I do to make a difference?’ She knew that love was stronger than hate and she worked to spread this message.

“We need to pick up her banner of love and compassion and take forward these ideals.”

Steve Lydon, leader of Stroud District Council, shed a tear as he spoke of Jo’s commitment to her constituents and her party.

He led a minute’s silence, giving mourners time to reflect on the life and work of Mrs Cox, who had been an MP for Batley and Spen for just one year.

As Cllr Lydon spoke, his deputy leader Doina Cornell and Labour councillor Mattie Ross lit candles and handed them out to the silent crowd.

“She wholly celebrated the diversity of her constituency and was a true embodiment of positivity. Jo was a politician we all aspire to be like.”

Former Stroud MP David Drew condemned the “appalling language”, “vile” and “blame culture” that has on occasions emerged during the EU referendum to stoke “fear and hatred”.

“A wonderful young woman has lost her life. She was an honest politician trying to do her best and work for her constituents,” he said.

“We owe her the obligation to remember what she stood for.”

Green councillors Norman Kay and John Marjoram joined their Labour colleagues to pay respects.

After the speeches a round of civil rights anthem We Shall Overcome was sung.

A book of remembrance was also laid out for mourners to write messages of condolence.

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Since the MP’s death yesterday tributes flooded in from politicians and residents in Stroud.

Many people took to social media to express their sadness and shock.

Councillor Norman Kay, chairman of SDC, said: “We were all shocked and outraged to learn of the murder of Jo Cox MP.

“It is never to be accepted that a conscientious elected person, serving her community, should be the victim of this violence. “We shall all learn more in the next few hours and days but for now our thoughts go to her family, who are also the victims.

“In Parliament she was greatly respected for her work on Syria and Palestine, and her role before her election on behalf of OXFAM.

“I have conveyed to the local constituency Labour Party all our sympathy and fellow feeling, and our sincere wishes to her family.”

Cllr Lesley Williams, leader of the Labour Group and councillor for Stonehouse, said: “Shocking news that Jo Cox has died serving her community. What a loss. My thoughts are with her family.”

Stroud resident Rob Young ‬posted: “Thoughts to your family, of different politics but always respect ability you will be missed by constituents and the world at large.”

Another resident, Laura Smith, said: “I am so shocked at the attack on Jo Cox today.

“A lady who I didn't know about till today but I know now was a charity worker and a mother and since last year an MP. She was just doing her job. I feel so deeply sad for her family.”

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Conservative councillor Debbie Young said: “Thoughts to your family, of different politics but always respect ability you will be missed by constituents and the world at large.”

Cllr Barry Kirby, who stood as Labour candidate for Gloucestershire PCC, said: “So upset that Jo Cox has died - this is such a tragedy on every level - my thoughts with her family and friends at this time.”

Politicians across the country have also paid their respects to Mrs Cox.

Jo Cox’s husband, Brendan, has said that she would want people “to unite to fight against the hatred that killed her.”

Vote Leave and Remain have both suspended campaigning in the EU referendum in light of the attack.

Police arrested a 52-year-old man, named locally as Thomas Mair.