Former Coronation Street star Tracy Brabin has promised to “do Jo Cox proud” after being selected as Labour’s candidate for Batley and Spen.
Ms Brabin was chosen at a meeting of Labour members on Friday night and is almost certain to be elected to Parliament.
Mrs Cox died after being shot and stabbed outside a constituency surgery in Birstall in June.
She and Ms Brabin were close friends who had campaigned together before the last General Election.
Ms Brabin, an actress who also appeared in other TV soaps including EastEnders and Emmerdale, was raised in a council flat in Birstall and her mum owned a popular cafe called Betty’s.
In a tweet after she was selected to fight the by-election on October 20, Ms Brabin said: “So grateful to all who voted for me. Jo was my inspiration. I intend to do her proud.”
An actress for over 30 years, famous for playing Corrie’s Tricia Armstrong, Ms Brabin has pledged to be a “loud, proud and strong Yorkshire voice speaking up for Batley and Spen.”
Speaking after the selection hustings, Ms Brabin said: “This was a by-election none of us wanted, brought about by tragic circumstances.
“Jo Cox was a friend of mine. She was a wonderful person and an absolutely outstanding MP for the constituency which she, like me, was proud to have grown up in and call home.
“No one can replace Jo, but I promise that if you put your faith in me at this by-election, I will be a loud, proud and strong Yorkshire voice speaking up for everyone in Batley and Spen.”
The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and UKIP have all said they will not contest the by-election though some smaller parties are likely to field candidates.
Ms Brabin added: “I want to reassure people who have voted for other parties in the past – parties which are not contesting this election – that if elected I will stand up for you just as much as I will for Labour voters.
“I am the only candidate in this election who can stand up for everyone, bringing our community together rather than dividing it.”
Mrs Cox’s husband Brendan congratulated Ms Brabin on Twitter and said: “Jo would have been delighted that another talented, passionate woman was standing for Parliament.”
Ms Brabin, who beat Jane Thomas in a head-to-head on Friday night, wasted no time in getting on the campaign trail meeting party activists in Cleckheaton on Saturday.
