Jess Phillips

Jess Phillips
UK Home Office · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Jess Phillips
Birth date	1981-10-09
Birth place	Birmingham, West Midlands, England
Occupation	Politician, author
Office	Member of Parliament for Birmingham Yardley
Party	Labour Party

Jess Phillips

Jessica Carolyn Phillips (born 9 October 1981) is a British politician, writer and activist who has served as the Member of Parliament for Birmingham Yardley since 2015. Known for her outspoken style and advocacy on issues including gender-based violence, workers' rights and public services, she has been a prominent figure within the Labour Party and a recurring presence in UK media such as BBC, Sky News, ITV and Channel 4. Phillips has authored opinion pieces and books, and she regularly engages with trade unions and advocacy groups including Unison and Trades Union Congress.

Early life and education

Phillips was born in Birmingham, raised in Bromsgrove, and educated in the West Midlands region. She attended local schools and later trained in youth work and counselling, gaining qualifications that connected her with organisations such as Barnardo's and Victim Support. Her early exposure to social issues in communities intersected with campaigns by groups like Amnesty International and Women's Aid, informing her later political focus on gender and social justice.

Career before Parliament

Before entering the House of Commons, Phillips worked as a support worker, youth worker and case worker, with roles in charities and public-sector settings including Barnardo's and local authority services in Birmingham. She was employed as a caseworker for Unison and worked on projects that involved liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service and local police forces. Phillips also served on local campaigns and constituency organisations tied to the Labour Party, working alongside councillors and community groups such as Citizens Advice and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Parliamentary career

Elected at the 2015 general election, Phillips became MP for Birmingham Yardley, succeeding John Hemming. In Parliament she has served on committees and cross-party groups addressing crime, social welfare and health, engaging with bodies like the Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care. Phillips has mounted multiple campaigns in the House of Commons on issues including violence against women and girls, liaising with organisations such as Equality and Human Rights Commission, CPS (Crown Prosecution Service), and Refuge (charity). She stood in the 2020 Labour leadership election, participating in hustings alongside candidates from Labour Students, trade union backers like Unite the Union, and figures from the shadow cabinet, before endorsing other candidates in subsequent rounds.

As an MP she has tabled questions to ministers, introduced private members' motions and collaborated with colleagues across parties on amendments related to policing, welfare and workplace safety. Phillips has also been involved in parliamentary groups connected to NHS England, Office for National Statistics, and local government associations, frequently citing reports from think tanks such as the Institute for Public Policy Research and Resolution Foundation.

Political positions and advocacy

Phillips is known for advocating tougher measures on domestic abuse and sexual violence, drawing on partnerships with Rape Crisis England & Wales, Women's Aid, and policymakers at the Ministry of Justice. She supports workers' rights and has campaigned with Unison, GMB and Unite the Union on pay, conditions and public-service funding. On policing and criminal justice she has engaged with the College of Policing, calling for victim-centred reforms and increased resources for prosecution through the Crown Prosecution Service. Phillips has taken stances on international issues as well, commenting on matters involving European Union, United Nations, and humanitarian crises where she has referenced NGOs like Médecins Sans Frontières.

Domestically, she has been vocal about education provision, citing partnerships with organisations such as Teach First and local schools in Birmingham, and has spoken on health policy in relation to NHS England and mental health charities like Mind. Within the Labour Party she has aligned with progressive campaigns while critiquing leadership and internal processes, engaging with groups such as Labour Women's Network and Fabian Society.

Controversies and public incidents

Phillips's direct rhetoric and social-media presence have led to several high-profile public incidents. She has had public disagreements with senior figures in the Labour Party and other MPs, and these disputes have been covered extensively by outlets including The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent and The Times. She has been criticized and defended over remarks relating to colleagues and policy, prompting debates within parliamentary forums such as the Commons Chamber and on programmes like BBC Question Time. Phillips has also faced online abuse and safety concerns, engaging with law-enforcement partners including the Metropolitan Police Service and campaigning for protections for MPs following incidents that prompted wider discussion in the Home Office and among civil liberties organisations.

Personal life

Phillips lives in Birmingham and has discussed balancing family life with parliamentary duties. She has written for national newspapers and authored books, appearing at events hosted by venues and festivals such as the Hay Festival, collaborating with publishers and literary organisations. Phillips participates in advocacy networks including Women in Public Life and maintains links with constituency charities and community projects across the West Midlands.

Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from English constituencies Category:Labour Party (UK) MPs