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The Life of an MP: Everything You Really Need to Know about Politics
From agonising decisions on foreign air strikes to
making headlines about orgasms, from sitting in on
history-making moments at the UN to eating McCain
potato smiles at a black-tie banquet in China, the life
of an MP is never dull. And it's also never been more
important. But politics is far bigger than Westminster,
and in this book Jess Phillips makes the compelling
case for why now, more than ever, we all need to
be a part of it.
making headlines about orgasms, from sitting in on
history-making moments at the UN to eating McCain
potato smiles at a black-tie banquet in China, the life
of an MP is never dull. And it's also never been more
important. But politics is far bigger than Westminster,
and in this book Jess Phillips makes the compelling
case for why now, more than ever, we all need to
be a part of it.
285 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2022
61 people are currently reading
584 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
August 14, 2022
This is a very engaging and easy to digest book. Jess Phillips is, certainly within the circles of folks like me who follow politics closely, and to some extent by those who do not, a well-known MP and character. She is a Labour MP, feisty, direct, wears her heart on her sleeve and comes from a very humble background.
Her The Life of an MP: Everything You Really Need to Know About Politics, largely succeeds in its aim and approach. It is bright, breezy, enthusiastic, a little potty mouthed [for those folks who might be shocked MPs do swear] and in the main fair to the institution, the main political parties and their members [of Parliament].
The more successful of the two for me is the Life of an MP, where the reader certainly gets to understand Jess and her life as a new MP back in 2015 and then both within the House of Commons and within her constituency. There is some useful background to her life growing up and prior to entry into Parliament. Her family were political and she was exposed to this and indeed involved in this as a child. Moreover, she has a very sincere set of beliefs in caring for people, notably supporting the cause and aims of the Women's Aid Federation (something my own mother did too) as a business development manager and caseworker. This, with her married family life and the area she represents - Yardley https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birming...] provides a good insight into the woman and her approach and beliefs in politics. She says quite clearly that talking to and working to help her constituents is her favourite area of being an MP.
Jess covers aspects such as campaigning and election nights, days in parliament in what MPs do - including, perhaps unsurprisingly for anyone who has worked in senior management in big corporations, many, many meetings. There is a lot of comment of getting things done and trying to get things done and she shines a light on all All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs), which are informal groups to progress areas of interest that may lead to legislation or changes to legislation. These groups include external experts and interest groups and parties. Another area is that of policy and she covers this, notably in her role as Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding and championing women's rights and protections.
The chapter on foreign trips is also interesting, especially her trip with some other MPs to China and also to the UN in New York. Also, of interest, is the relationship with media and journalists as well as other MPs within her own parties and others.
I was less convinced with the subtitle, Everything You Really Need to Know About Politics. Whilst she does an admirable job explaining much, including how long things take to progress, how some MPs behave well or badly, or just plainly self-interested - and she is no fan of Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn - and what is needed to create exposure, interest and in the long run a foundation of interested parties within Government to debate, challenge, test and then draft and introduce legislation for eventual (it is hoped) progression to the various readings, committees and then the statute book to become law. I would have welcomed much more here on the lobbying, testing hypotheses and how these aspects and ultimately stages progress to law. I suspect that this would leave the book too chunky and indeed, perhaps a little dull, for her aim and audience, who in the main are folks not interested in politics or who do not understand what MPs do and do in Parliament.
I don't agree with everything Jess does or stands for, but I would love to share a drink and dinner with her as I suspect very much it would be fun, testing and memorable as we agreed and disagreed on things in politics. This last point is also how she ends her book showing how politics [and laws and regulation] affects everything, including hospitals, roads, taxes, travel, shopping, power supplies and of course the news.
Overall, this is a book very much worth reading if you are British, and indeed even if you are not but have an interest in how Britain does things in its law making Palace of Westminster. Jess Phillips, is a very committed and caring woman and MP. She is not shy of facing up to leaders, people and organisations on subjects she wants to improve for society and people's lives is very much an MP you would want as your own constituency parliamentary member.
Her The Life of an MP: Everything You Really Need to Know About Politics, largely succeeds in its aim and approach. It is bright, breezy, enthusiastic, a little potty mouthed [for those folks who might be shocked MPs do swear] and in the main fair to the institution, the main political parties and their members [of Parliament].
The more successful of the two for me is the Life of an MP, where the reader certainly gets to understand Jess and her life as a new MP back in 2015 and then both within the House of Commons and within her constituency. There is some useful background to her life growing up and prior to entry into Parliament. Her family were political and she was exposed to this and indeed involved in this as a child. Moreover, she has a very sincere set of beliefs in caring for people, notably supporting the cause and aims of the Women's Aid Federation (something my own mother did too) as a business development manager and caseworker. This, with her married family life and the area she represents - Yardley https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birming...] provides a good insight into the woman and her approach and beliefs in politics. She says quite clearly that talking to and working to help her constituents is her favourite area of being an MP.
Jess covers aspects such as campaigning and election nights, days in parliament in what MPs do - including, perhaps unsurprisingly for anyone who has worked in senior management in big corporations, many, many meetings. There is a lot of comment of getting things done and trying to get things done and she shines a light on all All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs), which are informal groups to progress areas of interest that may lead to legislation or changes to legislation. These groups include external experts and interest groups and parties. Another area is that of policy and she covers this, notably in her role as Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding and championing women's rights and protections.
The chapter on foreign trips is also interesting, especially her trip with some other MPs to China and also to the UN in New York. Also, of interest, is the relationship with media and journalists as well as other MPs within her own parties and others.
I was less convinced with the subtitle, Everything You Really Need to Know About Politics. Whilst she does an admirable job explaining much, including how long things take to progress, how some MPs behave well or badly, or just plainly self-interested - and she is no fan of Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn - and what is needed to create exposure, interest and in the long run a foundation of interested parties within Government to debate, challenge, test and then draft and introduce legislation for eventual (it is hoped) progression to the various readings, committees and then the statute book to become law. I would have welcomed much more here on the lobbying, testing hypotheses and how these aspects and ultimately stages progress to law. I suspect that this would leave the book too chunky and indeed, perhaps a little dull, for her aim and audience, who in the main are folks not interested in politics or who do not understand what MPs do and do in Parliament.
I don't agree with everything Jess does or stands for, but I would love to share a drink and dinner with her as I suspect very much it would be fun, testing and memorable as we agreed and disagreed on things in politics. This last point is also how she ends her book showing how politics [and laws and regulation] affects everything, including hospitals, roads, taxes, travel, shopping, power supplies and of course the news.
Overall, this is a book very much worth reading if you are British, and indeed even if you are not but have an interest in how Britain does things in its law making Palace of Westminster. Jess Phillips, is a very committed and caring woman and MP. She is not shy of facing up to leaders, people and organisations on subjects she wants to improve for society and people's lives is very much an MP you would want as your own constituency parliamentary member.
June 11, 2022
I've always voted , but Jess explains why it is so important for people to vote. She tries to explain what a job of an MP is, she tries to explain parliament. she has a lovely sense of humour , she is a normal person who lives in her constituency not from a select rich school and doesn't live in her constituency.
I listened to the audiobook which she reads herself , you get a real feeling that she is a down to earth person.
Read it just for her sense of humour if not to find out more about how British politics works. A great book.
I listened to the audiobook which she reads herself , you get a real feeling that she is a down to earth person.
Read it just for her sense of humour if not to find out more about how British politics works. A great book.
July 12, 2022
A great book, an inspiring story from an inspiring MP. Jess Phillips polarises opinion, both across the political spectrum and in her own party, but all accept she is an outstanding communicator, something which shines through here.
Jess turns the mundane into the magical through a combination of anecdote, wit and a genuine desire to encourage everyone to get involved in politics, not just the rich and powerful. Her love of community and the influence of family shines through here, and it is this which clearly drives her activism.
A brilliant book which both highlights oft ignored elements of our political system and combines these with witty first-hand experiences which both entertain and inspire.
Jess turns the mundane into the magical through a combination of anecdote, wit and a genuine desire to encourage everyone to get involved in politics, not just the rich and powerful. Her love of community and the influence of family shines through here, and it is this which clearly drives her activism.
A brilliant book which both highlights oft ignored elements of our political system and combines these with witty first-hand experiences which both entertain and inspire.
September 23, 2022
This is an honest and easy to read book about the workings of government. It covers everything from being selected, campaigning, what happens on Election Day, the day-to-day workings of parliament and even the UN and trips abroad. Importantly, it covers all those areas the papers love to mislead people on to make a good headline.
It’s one of those books every British person should read, along with the books by The Secret Barrister, so you know what’s going on and journalists and dodgy politicians can’t pull the wool over your eyes.
It’s one of those books every British person should read, along with the books by The Secret Barrister, so you know what’s going on and journalists and dodgy politicians can’t pull the wool over your eyes.
April 6, 2023
I like politicians who say what they think and don’t always tow the party line - Jess is definitely one of them! A great insight into behind the scenes of Parliament and how its changed in an world of social media and sound bites. I’ll certainly be reading Twitter and watching PMQs from a different perspective in future.
May 27, 2024
Even as a politics graduate who follows current affairs pretty closely, I feel like I learned a lot from this book about the practical work of MPs in parliament. Things like the balance between constituency work and government work and the relationship between MPs and the media were interesting to read about. Super accessible and readable and funny too!
July 7, 2022
Such an interesting read. Very inspiring and at times very poignant especially the last chapter. Today (7/7/22) has to be one of the most momentous in recent political history and I can’t help but think that if more politicians had Jess’s attitude that we wouldn’t be in the mess we are in !
April 5, 2024
This book was sat at a 4 star until the final chapter. The majority of the book is a fantastic look into the UK political system and Jess Phillips life as an MP. It’s honest to a fault.
However, the final chapter made this a 5 star. Hearing Jess explain all of the political incidents in her lifetime such as surestart, family tax credits etc that allowed her the opportunity to succeed in the way she has genuinely made me emotional. Especially hearing about all the options her children now have that she never did. It’s so easy to get disheartened about UK politics - and with good right! However haven’t we got a lot of things right and isn’t there a lot of work to do! I hope people like Jess continue to chase this change
However, the final chapter made this a 5 star. Hearing Jess explain all of the political incidents in her lifetime such as surestart, family tax credits etc that allowed her the opportunity to succeed in the way she has genuinely made me emotional. Especially hearing about all the options her children now have that she never did. It’s so easy to get disheartened about UK politics - and with good right! However haven’t we got a lot of things right and isn’t there a lot of work to do! I hope people like Jess continue to chase this change
June 5, 2022
Whether you love or hate politics and indeed love or hate Jess Phillips I really recommend this book. I have always voted when invited to (bar one police & crime commissioner vote when I got stuck at work in Manchester and got back too late) and this book explains why it’s important and in quite nice easy terms how it all works.
It also kinda makes me want to get more involved in politics to be able to change the world for the better, although as Jess explains you can meet some pretty angry people (like Michael who tried to break in violently to her constituency office!)
Readable, accessible, self deprecating and literally laugh out loud funny - an enjoyable read.
It also kinda makes me want to get more involved in politics to be able to change the world for the better, although as Jess explains you can meet some pretty angry people (like Michael who tried to break in violently to her constituency office!)
Readable, accessible, self deprecating and literally laugh out loud funny - an enjoyable read.
June 12, 2024
a really great book, a very solid overview of the political system in the UK and all of its flaws. It’s great to read about the day-to-day of an MP, especially someone who cares so deeply about their constituency. Enlightening and great commentary on politics and the political system. We are lucky to have someone like Jess who cares so deeply for their constituency, an example of an MP who cares for both their constituency and the country. A really great read !
July 8, 2024
Reading this in the run-up to the election campaign and now finishing it under a new government was eye-opening. I love Jess' warmth and honesty. Political engagement has never been more important.
August 12, 2022
Amazing read.
I’ve never voted for Labour and don’t know a huge amount about Jess but I’ve always been interested in politics so thought I’d give this a read.
This was brilliant. This book gave me goosebumps, it made my heart hurt, it made me laugh out loud, it made me angry and surprised too. It was brutally honest, a refreshing insight into the political world.
Jess Phillips for PM I think!
I’ve never voted for Labour and don’t know a huge amount about Jess but I’ve always been interested in politics so thought I’d give this a read.
This was brilliant. This book gave me goosebumps, it made my heart hurt, it made me laugh out loud, it made me angry and surprised too. It was brutally honest, a refreshing insight into the political world.
Jess Phillips for PM I think!
August 11, 2023
Listened on audiobook.
A very insightful look into life as an MP. Jess Phillips is very witty and I appreciated how honest she was about members of both labour and conservatives.
I’d be interested in hearing more from her as I found it super interesting knowing just some of the day to day things that MPs do.
Very accessible to those without a great knowledge of politics.
A very insightful look into life as an MP. Jess Phillips is very witty and I appreciated how honest she was about members of both labour and conservatives.
I’d be interested in hearing more from her as I found it super interesting knowing just some of the day to day things that MPs do.
Very accessible to those without a great knowledge of politics.
March 28, 2024
3.75.
I liked this. I probably already knew a fair amount of the basics from studying politics, but I enjoyed the anecdotes from Parliament and Jess' constituency, and I really got a feel for how much she cares about and loves her job.
There were definitely some slightly forced jokes, which weren't always funny, but I enjoyed it on the whole.
I liked this. I probably already knew a fair amount of the basics from studying politics, but I enjoyed the anecdotes from Parliament and Jess' constituency, and I really got a feel for how much she cares about and loves her job.
There were definitely some slightly forced jokes, which weren't always funny, but I enjoyed it on the whole.
July 28, 2024
Very interesting
August 14, 2024
Absolutely loved this book! We need more Maps like Jess, quite simply she gets stuff done!
August 3, 2022
Great read for those interested in politics and Westminster. No technical language, no assumption the reader will know all the abbreviations and obscure references. As an ex-employee of 3 Tory MPs, Phillips’ book filled me with hope, nostalgia and the inspiring thought that there is more that unites us than divides us. I think she is a fantastic MP, and genuinely hope to see her hold high office one day.
November 3, 2022
JESS FOR PM! Read this book.
November 8, 2022
Enjoyed this a lot. This book contains exactly what you’d expect, from anecdotes of elections and foreign visits, day-in-the-life retellings, and insight into Johnson, Corbyn and the entitled men who think they deserve run the place.
There’s a couple of pages at the end about what politics did for Jess Phillips when she was in her early 20s that makes you wish we were back in the mid-90s, politically.
There’s a couple of pages at the end about what politics did for Jess Phillips when she was in her early 20s that makes you wish we were back in the mid-90s, politically.
November 27, 2023
I wouldn't say this book gives you "everything" you really need to know about politics, but I would definitely say that this book gives you necessary insights to understand politicians and the work that they do.
September 17, 2025
I want to start this by saying I am a Jess Phillips stan. For those that don’t know, I’m a politics girlie and Jess Phillips is an MP I have always admired for her candour, no nonsense-ness and midlander pride (I’m a midlander at my heart). I’ve also been lucky enough to meet her in Westminster.
In ‘The Life of an MP’, Jess Phillips aims to make politics and the functioning of Westminster more accessible to the average citizen. She talks about her work on domestic abuse and workplace abuse, as well as how legislation passes, the importance of constituency work and the unseen negotiations that take place within the Palace. One of the things that I learnt from this was that what seems like news to the world is actually often pre - decided, whether that be the outcome of a vote or the latest political scandal. My other big takeaway was the power that citizens have in everyday politics and how societies disengagement with politics is actually a weapon that certain parties try to exercise as a way of maintaining power.
Her writing is incredibly accessible, and very Birmingham, which is exactly as she is and makes reading about quite a complicated system super enjoyable. I literally gobbled this book up. She adds humour, shows some mess and sets out the paradoxical nature of modern day politics in the UK. I think regardless of your political leaning, this book is a really insightful and engaging read, one that makes you feel empowered as a citizen and helps explain quite a daunting and inaccessible place.
In ‘The Life of an MP’, Jess Phillips aims to make politics and the functioning of Westminster more accessible to the average citizen. She talks about her work on domestic abuse and workplace abuse, as well as how legislation passes, the importance of constituency work and the unseen negotiations that take place within the Palace. One of the things that I learnt from this was that what seems like news to the world is actually often pre - decided, whether that be the outcome of a vote or the latest political scandal. My other big takeaway was the power that citizens have in everyday politics and how societies disengagement with politics is actually a weapon that certain parties try to exercise as a way of maintaining power.
Her writing is incredibly accessible, and very Birmingham, which is exactly as she is and makes reading about quite a complicated system super enjoyable. I literally gobbled this book up. She adds humour, shows some mess and sets out the paradoxical nature of modern day politics in the UK. I think regardless of your political leaning, this book is a really insightful and engaging read, one that makes you feel empowered as a citizen and helps explain quite a daunting and inaccessible place.
December 16, 2022
I borrowed this from the library for one of my Home library Service ladies and she recommended it to me. No real surprise as she likes political books, but interesting and helpful to note that she can cope with Phillips' language. Whether Phillips needs to be this sweary in print is debatable but as a read it is never short of entertaining, whilst being informative and thought provoking.
September 4, 2022
Enthusiastic and full of information, without feeling dumpy. Plenty of humour to get through the "dull bits"
I bought this book because of the kindle daily deal of 0.99p and I am so glad I did. I'm giving this book a 5 star as a member of the public who knows very little about politics. Perhaps more knowledgeable people wouldn't rate it as highly but in that lies who I'd recommend this book to. Newbies who want to learn more in an enjoyable way.
Jess Philips has been a Labour MP for over a decade. You don't have to agree with her politics to enjoy this book, though as a feminist I do agree with most of her politics. Obviously there is a natural bias but she doesn't Tory Bash too hard and holds members of her own team accountable.
This book is super accessible to readers who are not involved in politics and she encourages people to get more involved. One of my favourite quotes from this title is "one of the greatest tricks ever played by people in power was convincing the public they didn't have any." Or words to that affect. We really can make a difference, it really is in our hands and it really does affect everything we do.
I didn't find the book Narcissistic at all, naturally she will have rants and rambles that are personal to her experience in the industry; involving family, achievements, trials and tribulations... but she restores the faith that politicians aren't just privelleged evil money grabbing robots but that the good ones are civil servants really working for the country.
The UK takes for granted some of the incredible work the government has done; taxpayers can see the difference their money makes in their free health care, state school education and equipment, childcare support and so much more than poorer and more corrupt countires have. This is a good eye opener.
I bought this book because of the kindle daily deal of 0.99p and I am so glad I did. I'm giving this book a 5 star as a member of the public who knows very little about politics. Perhaps more knowledgeable people wouldn't rate it as highly but in that lies who I'd recommend this book to. Newbies who want to learn more in an enjoyable way.
Jess Philips has been a Labour MP for over a decade. You don't have to agree with her politics to enjoy this book, though as a feminist I do agree with most of her politics. Obviously there is a natural bias but she doesn't Tory Bash too hard and holds members of her own team accountable.
This book is super accessible to readers who are not involved in politics and she encourages people to get more involved. One of my favourite quotes from this title is "one of the greatest tricks ever played by people in power was convincing the public they didn't have any." Or words to that affect. We really can make a difference, it really is in our hands and it really does affect everything we do.
I didn't find the book Narcissistic at all, naturally she will have rants and rambles that are personal to her experience in the industry; involving family, achievements, trials and tribulations... but she restores the faith that politicians aren't just privelleged evil money grabbing robots but that the good ones are civil servants really working for the country.
The UK takes for granted some of the incredible work the government has done; taxpayers can see the difference their money makes in their free health care, state school education and equipment, childcare support and so much more than poorer and more corrupt countires have. This is a good eye opener.
October 16, 2022
Insights into what working life broadly can look like for MPs, told in a direct, self-aware, and often amusing way. Her passion for her improving life for her constituents and for women and people on low incomes over the country and beyond comes through. More detail would have been good, it moves along quickly. Also there isn't really any strong discussion of political ideas and ideology. Changing to a voting system is given short shrift, even though she acknowledges that in the current system those in the safer seats are often ignored. Although she does mention a possible alternative with voting for a constituency MP and then having a second vote for a list of MPs to apply nationally. Possibly the lack of focus on broader ideas and political direction is deliberate, as the book's scope is illuminating what MPs do, and appealing to people to involve themselves in politics.
Quite harsh on Corbyn, making jabs at him several times but no credit even on things she was aligned with - for example she talks about voting against bombing in Syria and how that was tough against the pressure to vote for it, but conspicuously doesn't mention that Corbyn stood against that too, and took a whole load of flak for it including from some of his own MPs.
Overall a very good read and hopefully could inspire people to be more political. I'd love to see a similar book that's a bit heavier on detail and ideology.
Quite harsh on Corbyn, making jabs at him several times but no credit even on things she was aligned with - for example she talks about voting against bombing in Syria and how that was tough against the pressure to vote for it, but conspicuously doesn't mention that Corbyn stood against that too, and took a whole load of flak for it including from some of his own MPs.
Overall a very good read and hopefully could inspire people to be more political. I'd love to see a similar book that's a bit heavier on detail and ideology.
October 20, 2023
Politics is ours […] and it only gets better when we make it better.
There’s many things in politics which I don’t agree with Jess Phillips on but equally there’s many things in politics that gives me huge respect for her. Firstly, she is what is now a rare-breed of genuine person in the Houses of Parliament. Jess grew up in Birmingham and has always lived around her constituency. She fell pregnant at 22 and had a below-average salary. She went into politics to change things, not for power.
This book is a great read for people who aren’t sure about politics. Perhaps those who are opinionated and still come out with “but all politicians are the same” or “my vote won’t make a difference”. Whether you are left wing or right wing, we all have a lot to learn from this book. Jess doesn’t go as far as I would in calling the whole system corrupt, and call for a complete upheaval, but she doesn’t shy away from criticising it, in a typical politician fashion.
Overall, reading this book has inspired me. Being a politician is not easy, but what isn’t easy is the fact that most people assume that all politicians are evil. Those very people are the ones that complain that nothing is being done. Jess is quite right: politics is ours to change, and that can’t be done without first taking on the status quo.
There’s many things in politics which I don’t agree with Jess Phillips on but equally there’s many things in politics that gives me huge respect for her. Firstly, she is what is now a rare-breed of genuine person in the Houses of Parliament. Jess grew up in Birmingham and has always lived around her constituency. She fell pregnant at 22 and had a below-average salary. She went into politics to change things, not for power.
This book is a great read for people who aren’t sure about politics. Perhaps those who are opinionated and still come out with “but all politicians are the same” or “my vote won’t make a difference”. Whether you are left wing or right wing, we all have a lot to learn from this book. Jess doesn’t go as far as I would in calling the whole system corrupt, and call for a complete upheaval, but she doesn’t shy away from criticising it, in a typical politician fashion.
Overall, reading this book has inspired me. Being a politician is not easy, but what isn’t easy is the fact that most people assume that all politicians are evil. Those very people are the ones that complain that nothing is being done. Jess is quite right: politics is ours to change, and that can’t be done without first taking on the status quo.
August 3, 2023
You can tell Jess Phillips is an blunt, funny person which makes this a really good read just based on her narration. I think it does a very good job of explaining the basics of what MPs do - it goes into just enough detail on parts that are worth remembering.
I thought she was very good at acknowledging any bias she had whilst also showing opposing sides - it’s really interesting to highlight different perspectives of MPs such as a lot of Conservatives genuinely thinking they’re helping the working class (I do not believe all of them do) and also that many enjoy the thrill of being caught and publicly shamed for their wrongdoing. It’s things I’ve never thought about personally.
As someone who is considering studying politics or going into politics and is from Birmingham this makes me feel less cynical about our system which I think is what Jess sets out to do throughout this entire book. I was actually aware going into this that Jess Phillips working with charities tackling domestic abuse (thanks to A-level Government & Politics) but I didn’t expect domestic violence and sexual harassment to be an ongoing focus in the book. I liked that she dissected how and why it is so prevalent in society and workplaces.
I thought she was very good at acknowledging any bias she had whilst also showing opposing sides - it’s really interesting to highlight different perspectives of MPs such as a lot of Conservatives genuinely thinking they’re helping the working class (I do not believe all of them do) and also that many enjoy the thrill of being caught and publicly shamed for their wrongdoing. It’s things I’ve never thought about personally.
As someone who is considering studying politics or going into politics and is from Birmingham this makes me feel less cynical about our system which I think is what Jess sets out to do throughout this entire book. I was actually aware going into this that Jess Phillips working with charities tackling domestic abuse (thanks to A-level Government & Politics) but I didn’t expect domestic violence and sexual harassment to be an ongoing focus in the book. I liked that she dissected how and why it is so prevalent in society and workplaces.
May 31, 2023
It's hard not to like the labour MP Jess Phillips - and I wouldn't want to. She's no doubt a good constituency MP (and one I'd much prefer representing me than the self-serving waste of space I'm lumbered with) and she's a tenacious fighter for gender equality. But I do wish she'd give at least as much attention to the most fundamental, yet often ignored, of all inequalities, that of class (including this country's offensively unequal distribution of wealth and income). Because of this blind spot in her political position, she is essentially conservative. She believes in the 'rungs of ladder' approach to improving people's lives rather than questioning the need for a ladder in the first place. She wants to remove barriers to 'opportunity' while retaining much of the existing structure of society and its gross inequalities. Phillips, at best, is a social democrat, and in this book she treats proper socialists like Jeremy Corbyn with as much, if not more, disdain than the (often unnamed) clown Boris Johnson. If not for her own family background I suspect she could be just as happy in the Lib-Dems - or a Conservative Party of the type led by Edward Heath, for example.
November 8, 2022
This is a fascinating read for anyone remotely interested in how politics works in the UK and if you live in the UK and are not interested, you really should be as it effects everything about our lives.
I have a lot of time for Jess Phillips , she is , to coin that much overused word, authentic and approaches her work and life without the bland spin and weasel words that you experience from far too many politicians.
This book is both a detailed explanation of what it is to be an MP, how difficult it is for those without wealth to become one and what the author sees as her role as an MP - helping people, getting barriers out of the way and battling the considerable barriers that are often in the way.
This book is also a call to arms for what politics should be about after a number of dismal years where many in charge have used their positions to lie and feather their own nests this is a salutory reminder that to fall into the trap of " they are all the same " only allows the liars and the cheats to get away with it.
A terrific heartfelt book
I have a lot of time for Jess Phillips , she is , to coin that much overused word, authentic and approaches her work and life without the bland spin and weasel words that you experience from far too many politicians.
This book is both a detailed explanation of what it is to be an MP, how difficult it is for those without wealth to become one and what the author sees as her role as an MP - helping people, getting barriers out of the way and battling the considerable barriers that are often in the way.
This book is also a call to arms for what politics should be about after a number of dismal years where many in charge have used their positions to lie and feather their own nests this is a salutory reminder that to fall into the trap of " they are all the same " only allows the liars and the cheats to get away with it.
A terrific heartfelt book
April 19, 2024
Jess is funny and engaging and this book does a great job of lifting the curtains of Westminster and explaining what day to day life of an MP is like.
Despite being a Labour MP, she is pretty balanced and happily holds Labour to account throughout. It’s not propaganda to get you to vote for them.
I found the book to be genuinely useful and interesting and I felt hopeful toward some individuals at that local MP level. Have to say, still feel pretty jaded by UK politics as a whole.
Finally, my only criticism of Jess is I don’t love the way she talks about people from privileged backgrounds as being “posh”. I get her position and actually a lot of privilege is a problem in politics (I didn’t realise it the huge amount of money it costs to fund yourself to become an MP, making it a wildly unapproachable job for many) but her language on some of this kind of undermines her points.
Overall, worth a read and Jess is someone who gives you some faith.
Despite being a Labour MP, she is pretty balanced and happily holds Labour to account throughout. It’s not propaganda to get you to vote for them.
I found the book to be genuinely useful and interesting and I felt hopeful toward some individuals at that local MP level. Have to say, still feel pretty jaded by UK politics as a whole.
Finally, my only criticism of Jess is I don’t love the way she talks about people from privileged backgrounds as being “posh”. I get her position and actually a lot of privilege is a problem in politics (I didn’t realise it the huge amount of money it costs to fund yourself to become an MP, making it a wildly unapproachable job for many) but her language on some of this kind of undermines her points.
Overall, worth a read and Jess is someone who gives you some faith.
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