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Tribute to British Lawmaker Jo Cox; More Debate over Possible Brexit. Aired 11:40a-Noon ET

Aired June 22, 2016 - 11:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(CNN DOMESTIC SIMULCAST)

BECKY ANDERSON, CONNECT TO THE WORLD ANCHOR: Jeff (inaudible) just curios. I'm going to break away from my colleagues in the U.S.

Hello and welcome to "Connect the World." I'm Becky Anderson live from 10 Downing Street for you in London. You've been watching CNN coverage of

Donald Trump's speech in New York. And we will get you Clinton's -- Hillary Clinton's speech a little later on.

Right now though, I want to take you to another event that we are following tributes to murdered British M.P. Jo Cox. Rallies are taking place all

around the world on what would have been her 42nd birthday. We were looking at the live pictures of one of those rallies just several blocks

from where I stand now in Trafalgar Square as you can imagine, emotions are still raw here in the U.K. after Cox was shot and stabbed last week.

She was a strong advocate for the U.K. to remain in the European Union. A vote on that, of course, is less than 24 hours away.

CNN's Fred Pleitgen is in Batley where another tribute for Jo Cox is taking place in the north of the country. But first, let's get to Nic Robertson

who is in Trafalgar Square. Nic?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yeah, Becky, just now, Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani girl who the Taliban tried to kill to

silence for standing up for girls and women's rights is speaking. Let's just listen in to this for a moment here. One of the many tributes we've

been hearing to Jo Cox today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MALALA YOUSAFZAI, PAKISTANI ACTIVIST: While I know how thoughtful it is when her family is lifted up in prayer. While I know that nothing can

raise the grief you feel now, please know that you do not face this alone.

Jo meant so much to so many of us. And so many people around the world. One thing that you may not realize that I have in common with Jo, that we

both we're very proud of, is that we are small. Sometimes too small to see all the podium and you can see clearly. I need something to stand on. But

she showed us all, that you can be small and still be a giant. And that was Jo. A giant.

She proved that she was a giant when she stood up to declare that we have more in common than that which divides us. For her, the idea was much more

than just a line in a speech. It was a sacred principle that powered her life and her work.

Jo proved, it is possible to be a devoted person and a devoted public servant to your own community and country and also a champion for women and

children around the world. She was a sister to children in Yorkshire just as was she -- just she was a sister to refugees in Syria. She saw humanity

in all people, from Batley (inaudible) to Aleppo. She was a modern day suffragist. Unstoppable in her service and called to women to serve in

leadership in her country, to urge others to take pride in breaching generosity and diversity. And this special role this country plays in the

world.

When I was young, I thought that Swat Valley was the only place I could ever call home. But when my family needed a heaven, this country's arms

were open. Jo's arms were open to the world. She embodied all that is best about this country. She used her voice to speak up for those who are

voiceless.

[11:45:03] She used her voice and she used her life to lift up those who had been forgotten. And she told us that we cannot bring peace by turning

our backs on each other. We must stand to work with each other in service. That is how she spent last Thursday, turning toward her community, reaching

out with open arms, offering herself as a symbol of peace.

There's a reason extremists resort to violence. They cannot win a battle of ideas. I'm here today as a living proof that they cannot win with

bullets either. And Jo's life is a proof that a message of peace is more powerful than any weapon of war.

Once again, the extremists have failed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: And you've been listening to a speech by Malala Yousafzai who is talking at a memorial being held for the murdered British lawmaker Jo Cox

here in Trafalgar Square, just a block or so up from where I am outside 10 Downing Street.

And one of the reasons that you've been hearing from Malala is that one of the causes closest to Jo Cox's heart was education for girls and Malala and

Jo's work intersecting at many points. Let's bring back Nic Robertson who is there at the memorial.

A very impassioned and emotional speech by the young Pakistani woman, and this just makes up part of what you've been hearing over the last hour.

Just take us through the atmosphere there in Trafalgar Square today.

ROBERTSON: Becky, thousands of people are here. They're listening in wrapped silence and then pausing for applause. I thought the biggest

applause was given for a young choir, the children from the school of Jo and Brendan Cox's son. They sang on the stage here in front of so many

people and when they finished there was such a big emotional outpouring of support from the crowd and that's what it's been like here. People are

listening in rapt attention.

The message here is hope, not hate. We heard from Brendan, Jo's husband, he came and spoke and he said, "Look, I believe Jo's murder was a political

act". He says, an act of terrorism. But you know what, he said, this is a beautiful irony, a beautiful irony that so many people are gathered here in

the spirit that she wanted and the spirit of love and the spirit of building bridges.

We heard as well speeches from Kim, from Jo's sister. She spoke as well talking about how Jo stood for tolerance and for peace and for

understanding and against hate and division. We heard from Bono as well, the lead singer of u2. He sent a message as well saying Jo was a brilliant

persuasive change maker. That's how he put it. Lily Allen came here and sang a song that was a favorite of the family.

Hugely emotional. You could see people here really reaching deep into their emotions. That's how it's been here, Becky.

ANDERSON: Nic, stand by. I want to get up to the north of England now where Fred Pleitgen is standing by at what is a simultaneous memorial

taking place. Fred, the view from there?

FRED PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, Becky, you know, there's also hundreds of people who are here in Batley on the market

square, of course a couple kilometers from where Jo Cox was killed. If you have a look at the crowd and you can tell there are people from all walks

of life, all sorts of different faith, and all different ages, that also have gathered here.

And I think it really shows how close to home the murder of Jo Cox hits here in this community. And it's one of the big differences I think

between that event that we were seeing in Trafalgar Square and the one that you're seeing here in Batley that t0here's a lot of people who knew Jo Cox

very personally and here as you can hear the crowd start clapping as the local choir that is singing as I'm speaking right now. There's a lot of

people in tears as some of the memorial was taking place.

These are folks who dealt with Jo Cox on a fairly regular basis. One of the speakers here, for instance, was not just Jo Cox's sister who had an

impassioned speech that Nic was talking about but also the head master of the local school here that Jo Cox visited just two days before she was

killed. There were two students from that school who is speaking that said, listen when Jo Cox came to our school, she was someone who listened

to us and who could relate to us on a very personal level. We believe what she was saying, we believe she really understood the issues of this

community and also, of course, managed to translate those issues on to an international stage as well.

[11:50:06] So you have this remembrance that's going on here. It's a big event for this town. But the same time of course, the murder really hits

very close to home to a lot of the folks here in this community who knew Jo Cox well. Who are moved by Jo Cox, who were touched and often helped by

this very special person for their community. Becky.

ANDERSON: Fred Pleitgen is in Batley and Nic Robertson in Trafalgar Square for us today. To both of you, thank you.

Well, we are into the final hours of campaigning before the U.K. votes to determine its future in the European Union. Leave and remain campaigners

out in force, they are trying to secure every vote they can in what is a very, very close race.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You got one day left to hammer out that message, stronger, safer, better off. And as we do so, think of one word that

brings it all into one, which is together. Because frankly, if we want the bigger economy and more jobs we're better if we do it together.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want us tomorrow to vote for Britain to become independent. I want us to vote for us to become democratic. I want us to

vote for us to become a normal country. Because normal countries make their own laws. Normal countries are in charge of their destiny and their

future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, opinion polls show that the British people are split right down the middle with the outcome too close to call. One in ten voters are

said to be undecided. They could make all the difference.

So on this referendum eve, Britain is very much a nation divided. CNN's Phil Black has the view from London.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: After a ruckus final debate comes a final desperate day of campaigning. Both sides of the E.U. referendum question

are out trying to be seen and have their arguments heard by as many people as possible because the reality is, this race is still so close.

It is impossible to know what the result will be. So those in favor of Britain leaving the European Union are out, arguing that Britain's control

of issues like immigration, trade, security, should be returned. Taken from the E.U., returned back to these shores so Britain can become, again,

a fully independent and sovereign country in their view.

The remain camp is continuing its argument that Britain is stronger, safer, better off financially and more influential as a member of the European

Union. The reality is, that after a long, often difficult, sometimes ugly campaign, this country remains divided on the eve of the vote.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't think any country can handle things alone. I think we're better off in Europe, environmental issues, I believe we're

better off in Europe. We can't tackle things on our own. And we just need to make Europe right, not run away from Europe.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: An awful lot of people that are voting to go out are older people who have already got their pensions, they've had their jobs,

they've got their houses and they want things to go back how they were and they never, never ever will.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just think that we need our country back, we need to make our own decisions from now on. And not be dictated to by people that

basically are looking to look after everybody and not just us. So we want to make our own decisions.

And (inaudible) realistically into the country, you know, until we're at breaking point which I think we are any ways as now. And for me that is

the main issue why I voted out.

BLACK: Britain's press and newspapers have also taken campaigning positions on the referendum question. This is the sun on the eve of the

vote, it is telling voters don't put your trust in David Cameron. Vote "leave" tomorrow. A personal attack against the prime minister, while also

invoking the queen on its front page claiming her majesty is Euro skeptic and recently said give me three good reasons to stay in Europe.

From a pro-remain newspaper, The Daily Mirror, it says, for your jobs, your NHS, which is the health system here, your income, pensions, safety, your

children, your grandchildren, for Britain's children vote "remain" tomorrow.

The nation is polarized at the end of this campaign and if the polls are accurate, it is still incredibly close and whatever the result, it is

likely this country's complex, often difficult relationship with the European Union will continue.

Phil Black, CNN, London.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Fully potential for a Brexit has Europe looking on nervously. Earlier the French President Francois Hollande warned that the future of

the European Union itself could come into play if the U.K. votes to leave the block.

[11:55:06] A lot of discontent in the leave camp has been directed at Brussels the de facto capital of the European Union.

Erin McLaughlin has been speaking to people in the Belgium capital to see how they feel about the vote.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Here in Brussels the capital of the European Union, a potential Brexit is what's on people's

mind. In fact, take a walk down the street here outside the European Commission and you can overhear snippets of conversations, Brexit,

referendum, UK, all buzzwords. This town is collectively holding its breath.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are worried, very worried. And it's no good for the UK, it's no good for Brussels or for the Europe.

MCLAUGHLIN: Yes and why is it not good?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why, because it's a catastrophe. Economic catastrophe are not so for the cohesion of Europe, of the whole Europe.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it would be awful for both Britain and for the EU. I'm worried about the long-term economic effects for both. Do I

understand why both cases are being made, yes. I think the British people are clever people. I'm fairly convinced that they will take a very

responsible decision. And when they sit down in their couch at home and think about history, about what happened 50 years ago, 70 years ago, how we

got into a big mess in Europe, I think they will take the right decision.

MACLAUGHLIN: EU officials tell me that this referendum is symptomatic of a Europe-wide problem. The rise of Euro skepticism and nationalism things,

that are deeply concerning to people here and the question is, what are EU leaders are going to do about it. Erin McLaughlin, CNN, Brussels.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, we got all the angles covered for you of what is this historic referendum. You can head to our website cnn.com/uk referendum and

read all about the Brexit debate. It matters if you're here in the UK, matters if you're in Europe. It matters wherever you are watching around

the world. That's all on cnn.com/uk referendum.

I'm Becky Anderson and that was "Connect the World" from outside here at 10 Downing Street. Thank you for watching as we leave you this hour, I just

want to get you back to the memorial for the murdered British lawmaker, Jo Cox happening just up the road from here in Trafalgar square, from the team

here at 10 Downing Street. Good evening.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[12:00:18] ROBYN CURNOW, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Ahead at the international day as politicians of the UK make the final push for votes.

Donald Trump calls Hillary Clinton a world class liar. And Rory Mcllroy says he's tipping the Olympic.

Hi there everyone, welcome. I'm Robyn Curnow at the CNN center. It is 5:00 p.m. in the UK where voters have one last night to decide whether they

want Britain to stay in the European Union or leave. These are the final hours of campaigning and we should hear from David Cameron, the prime

minister, on the stay side in the minutes ahead. And of course we'll bring that to you live.

Now it's been an emotional day on another front as well. While Britons grapple with the referendum, they're also paying tribute to Jo Cox, the

pro-remain MP who was murdered last week. In London, Cox's husband remembered her support for tolerance and diversity and said she lived and

died for her beliefs.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRENDAN COX, HUSBAND OF JO COX: Jo's killing was political, it was an act of terror designed to advance the agenda of hatred towards others. What a

beautiful irony it is that an act designed to advance hatred has instead generated such an outpouring of love.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BURNOW: Emotional words there. CNN's, Nick Robinson has been out of memorial for Cox in Trafalgar Square. We'll hear from you in just a moment

Nick.

First, just check in with Phil Black who is also in London who's been out and about on the eve of this very important vote.

Hi, there, Phil, I mean this is a big decision that's going to be made and it's going to be undecided who is--who again are going to make it, really,

going to swing this.

PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, indeed, that's right Robyn. Throughout this campaign it has been so tight, too close to call,

showing of the undecided portion with significant enough to determine the result. That has been the reality from the very beginning for months now.

So now here we are on the eve and we still don't know which way it will go. So this tremendous nervousness I think here among many people as you talk

to them. Well nervous, there's an excitement. I guess I think among those who are pro-EU, they are nervous that this country could change in a way

that they believe it will ultimately regret by leaving the European Union.

Those who want to leave, think for the change that could take place over the next 36 hours or so would be something that simply wouldn't have seen

possibly only a year or two ago, I think where this is a political reality just seemed like a very dim possibility. But, how this country will vote,

ultimately, will be determined significantly by geography. So here in London, there is no doubt, this is the Euro file capitol of the country.

It is where support for the European Union is strongest, particularly among young people. It's why it's been such an effort to try to get the young to

turn out to vote, tomorrow.

And although it won't determine the result in itself, it could be significant if it is as tight as everyone expects it could well be, Robyn.

BURNOW: Yes, indeed, and of course, playing in the backdrop of all of this, memorial service for Jo Cox. The country devastated and shocked by

her murder last week.

Nick Robinson, you're there in Trafalgar Square, it has been a very touching memorial. I just want to play some sound from it and I want to

talk to you on the other side.

Nick, there is some rather illustrious names talking and singing at this memorial, but why was this such so special?

NICK ROBINSON: They stole the stage and they stole everyone's hearts. This was a choir from the school where Jo Cox and Brendan Cox's son, Collin

goes to. He wasn't singing in the choir then but this was his friends. These were his friends and classmates. And there they were on the stage in

front of thousands and thousands of people in the center of London singing.

And we heard Lily Allen sing. We heard Bono sing. But this was what the crowd gave their deepest applause to.

[12:05:02] It was really a very, very touching moment.

END