Music stars have joined forces with politicians to record a charity single in memory of the late MP Jo Cox.
Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson, singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, Cockney Rebel’s Steve Harley and pop star David Gray are among those taking part in the special recording of The Rolling Stones’ You Can’t Always Get What You Want.
A group of 20 MPs from across the political spectrum, members of parliamentary rock group MP4 and the Royal Opera House Thurrock Community Chorus will also feature on the track.
According to organiser Kevin Brennan, Labour MP for Cardiff West, there was “mass hysteria” when KT turned up, with politicians rushing to pose for selfies with her.
The singer said her decision to take part in the project in memory of Jo was a “complete no-brainer”.
She said: “There’s too few of her in the world so it’s just incredibly sad that she has gone.
“At the same time I think she’d be really happy that we are doing something so joyful and so celebratory and fun in her honour – and to help raise money and awareness for her causes.”
She described the record as “really rocking” and added that she hoped it would “galvanise people” in a “divided world”.
The Labour MP for Batley and Spen and a mother of two, Jo was killed outside her constituency surgery in Birstall, near Leeds, in front of her staff and residents on June 16.
The single, which will be released next year, will mark the launch of the Jo Cox Foundation – a charity raising funds for causes close to the late MP.
MPs gathered at the Backstage Centre in Thurrock, Essex, on Thursday to record their part on the track, conducted by Suzie Rigby, who has worked with The Rolling Stones.
Brennan added that he hoped the song would show “there’s more that unites than divides us”, reflecting Jo’s personal ethos.
He said: “Jo Cox was someone who really tried very hard until she got what was needed and that’s a message within the song.
“She also said that people should work together – that we are stronger together, there’s more that unites than divides us.
“So we wanted to do something that reflected that and would help raise awareness of the foundation.”
Labour MP Tracy Brabin, who won the by-election in Batley and Spen following the death of Jo, said: “I think it’s an amazing event because it’s bringing people together cross-party.
Describing her hopes for the single, she said: “I’m hoping it will be uplifting and remind people of her values, about social cohesion and about working as a community.”
