HELEN HAINES: TURNING GRIEF INTO CHANGE
Dear Friend,
We are devastated by the appalling attack on Australian MP Helen Haines, the first Australian politician to sign our Compassion in Politics Civility Pledge. Our thoughts are with Helen and her family as we hope for her recovery.
Like Jo Cox, Helen embodies the qualities we so desperately need in politics: compassion, courage and respect for others.
Political violence must never become the price of public service.
Speaking to ABC Australia about the attack, I was struck by a troubling sense of déjà vu.
Britain came together in grief after the murders of Jo Cox and David Amess. Politicians from all parties stood shoulder to shoulder and vowed things would change.
Then we returned to business as usual.
The real test isn't whether we can come together in grief. It's whether we can come together to change politics.
Last week, we met with Jo Cox's sister, the brilliant Kim Leadbeater MP, and colleagues from our 61-strong, cross-party parliamentary group that Kim chairs.
Our mission is simple: to change the way politics is done at Westminster.
We cannot expect to tackle hatred and aggression in society while Parliament continues to model shouting, jeering and humiliation at Prime Minister's Questions. Nor can we allow social media companies to profit from amplifying hate and disinformation without being held legally and financially accountable.
It's time to change the rules, not just the rhetoric.
That's what we're working to achieve, together with MPs from across the political spectrum. But we need your help.
We're a small organisation taking on a huge challenge. If you believe politics can and must be better, please consider making a donation, however small, to help us keep up the pressure.
And for those of you still on X, you can also read and share my LBC article
Helen's courage and compassion remind us what politics can be. Let's make sure this moment leads to lasting change.
With warmest wishes,
Jennifer Nadel
Co-Founder and CEO
Compassion in Politics