“The desire to look strong and decisive, instead of looking human, is the fatal flaw of so many politicians, and I will never understand why the favoured path of the political class is akin to a child with chocolate smeared on their face insisting that they didn't eat the edible Christmas tree ornaments while their parents slept.”

British politician, born 1981

Jess Phillips is a British politician and Labour Party member, born in 1981. She has served as the Member of Parliament for Birmingham Yardley since 2015. From July 2024 to May 2026, she served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls. Her public work is closely associated with safeguarding and violence against women and girls, alongside her parliamentary role.