Lorraine Kelly: Jo Cox would approve of MP reforms

THERE’S been a big increase in the number of female MPs elected this year, and over 200 of them will take their seats in the House of Commons.

We have seen veterans like Yvette Cooper and Caroline Lucas returning, as well as the unwell Dianne Abbott. By the narrowest of margins, Home Secretary Amber Rudd is back, too.

In Scotland, Ruth Davidson enhanced her reputation and the number of Tory MPs, including the rather splendidly named Kirstene Hair.

Sadly, there’s one woman who would have been re-elected as a Labour MP, and we all remember with deep sadness that it’s almost a year ago that Jo Cox was murdered in her constituency during the run-up to the referendum vote.

Her seat in Batley and Spen was won for Labour by former Coronation Street actress Tracy Brabin, who paid tribute to Jo in her acceptance speech.

With more women in politics, perhaps there might be some changes in the draconian rules that have MPs voting late at night, making it tough for women with children to juggle their schedule.

It was something that Jo Cox found so frustrating. Had she not been taken away from her family and from the service of her country, I am sure that Jo would have continued to campaign about reforms in the working of the House.

With more women and mothers, now in Parliament there may be changes to the old ways, and that can only be a good thing. Jo would have approved.