Local communities and people of all ages have come together for Ogmore’s first Great Get Together event in Llanharan, which Chris Elmore MP and his team were pleased to organise with the local community. 

The Great Get Together is an annual initiative in memory of the former MP for Batley and Spen, Jo Cox, who was murdered by a far right terrorist shortly before the EU referendum. The Great Get Together seeks to challenge the hate and extreme ideology which led to Jo’s death and act on the now infamous message she put forward in her maiden speech in Parliament: that we have far more in common than that which divides us.

Over tea and cakes, people from across Llanharan and the surrounding communities came together to speak with the Ogmore MP and local Assembly Member, Huw Irranca-Davies, in an informal setting. Many chose to reflect on the political turbulence seen across the UK since the EU referendum and spoke of the need to challenge far right ideologies in their communities. 

Speaking after the event, Chris Elmore MP said:

“It’s now sadly three years since Jo was tragically taken from us and, alarmingly, political discourse seems to have become even more polarised.

“I’ve been really pleased at how well today’s Great Get Together has gone. We’ve had people of all ages here coming together over tea and cake to send a strong message that we have far more in common than that which divides us.

“We must continue to fight the politics of hate in our society and continue to work together through our common values of tolerance and hope. Only then will we be able to tackle the hatred and bigotry we see poisoning our communities today.”

“A huge thank you to everyone who came today – and a special thank you to Ethan and Chloe Twine for helping to set up and serve the cakes! You were fantastic.”