CANDIDATES for the seat once held by murdered MP Jo Cox have signed a cross-party pledge for an election campaign free of abuse and intimidation.

The 41-year-old Labour politician died after being shot and stabbed in her Batley and Spen constituency by a right-wing extremist in the lead up to the 2016 EU referendum.

On Monday, candidates running for the seat met outside Jo Cox House, a short distance from where the attack happened, to sign an agreement to set the appropriate tone when campaigning ahead of the December 12 election.

The pledge also commits the candidates to foster "constructive democratic debate" and to treat others, including opponents, with dignity and respect.

Mrs Cox's sister, Kim Leadbeater, said she hoped that the agreement would "send a clear message to the country about the kind of democracy we all want" and that politicians should use facts instead of "rhetoric and violent language".

She added that she is hoping that political parties at a national level will sign up to similar pledges.

"As a community, we know the cost of political violence and it's very important that we ensure that no family has to go through what we've been through ever again," Miss Leadbeater told the PA news agency.

"I think the starting point for that is leadership, and the people standing for public office showing a sense of responsibility."

She added: "I think what has happened unfortunately in the last few years is that we've lost our way a little bit in terms of having robust, passionate and civilised debate.

"Some of the discussions have transcended into insults, personal attacks and, on some occasions, violence.

"I think we need to pull back from that, so what we're asking people to do, across the political spectrum, is sign up to a pledge saying they will conduct themselves in this General Election campaign in a respectful and civilised manner."

Mrs Cox, a mother-of-two, was elected as Batley and Spen MP in 2015, holding the seat until her murder by Thomas Mair on June 16 2016.

The Jo Cox Foundation was set up a short time later in a bid to honour her legacy and create a kinder, more compassionate society.

The foundation has said it is working with the Committee on Standards in Public Life to agree a Joint Standard of Conduct with all political parties that would apply not only during election campaigns but at all times.

Catherine Anderson, the chief executive of the Jo Cox Foundation, said: "This pledge signed in Batley is a great first step.

"We all value vigorous political debate and freedom of speech but that should not extend to abusive behaviour designed to intimidate and silence people.

"It threatens our democracy itself. From our discussions with all the parties we know that they recognise the importance of restoring civility and respect to our public discourse and we look forward to working with them and with the committee to agree a long-term standard of behaviour."

The Batley and Spen candidates that supported the pledge are: Ty Akram (Green Party), Tracy Brabin (Labour), Mark Brooks (Conservative), Paul Halloran (Batley Borough Independents), John Lawson (Liberal Democrat) and Clive Minihan (Brexit Party).