Kirklees MPs have joined a call for calm after a surge in hate crimes following the Brexit vote.
Dewsbury MP Paula Sherriff, spoke out in the House of Commons after hearing of a number of xenophobic and racists incidents in her patch.
Speaking in a House of Commons debate, she said: “Like many others across the House, I have been saddened and deeply distressed to hear of some terrible racist and xenophobic incidents recently.
“In fact, during the course of this debate, I have been sent a message to say that a young lady in my constituency has been told to go ‘home’.
“This is her home, and she is very welcome here.
“Will the Prime Minister agree to convene an urgent meeting of a cross-party commission to look into race hate crimes and how we can eradicate this cancer from our society?”
During the same debate, Colne Valley MP, Jason McCartney said: “I join colleagues in speaking out against racism and hatred.
“I actually voted for 16 and 17-year-olds to have a vote in the referendum, but I also have the utmost respect for people of all ages who voted, including pensioners and the elderly. Many of them served our nation in years of peril.”
Yesterday, Ms Sherriff was joined by a cross party group of West Yorkshire MPs, who signed an open letter appealing for the incidents to stop.
It was also signed by Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman and Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney.
It said: “The EU referendum result is a shock to the political system – a moment of great significance in our region as well as across the country and in Europe.
“In this turbulent time, we need to act to heal the divisions that have come to the fore in our communities.
“As we move forward in working for the best possible deal for the UK, the discord that we have seen in recent days poses a real and tangible challenge on our streets.
“Whilst there is anger and fear about the future to be found on all sides – we, as the region’s Members of Parliament join together, regardless of our political differences, to appeal for calm and to reassure our communities that we are united in our rejection of xenophobia, racism and the politics of hate.
“As elected representatives we commit to future campaigning that will make people from all backgrounds feel that they belong.
“We are stronger together and in these turbulent times we call on our communities to unite - now more than ever, it is key that we move forward with love and acceptance for all.”
Other MPs to sign included; Yvette Cooper MP Pontefract, Castleford and Normanton; Greg Mulholland MP Leeds North West; Stuart Andrew MP Pudsey; Richard Burgon MP Leeds East; Craig Whittaker MP Calder Valley; Kris Hopkins MP Keighley; Rachel Reeves MP Leeds West; Judith Cummins Bradford South; Naz Shah MP Bradford West; Andrea Jenkyns MP Morley and Outwood; Holly Lynch MP Halifax; Alec Shelbrooke MP Elmet and Rothwell and Philip Davies MP Shipley.
