Phillips was born and grew up in Birmingham and went to Camp Hill School for Girls. After a degree in economic and social history and social policy at Leeds University, she worked for a domestic and sexual abuse charity and became a Labour councillor. She and her husband, Tom, have two sons, 10 and 7. She was elected MP for Yardley in 2015.
MPs work weird hours, so I can stay in bed till 8. The first thing I do is turn on Radio 4, which makes me feel so old. I’m resisting The Archers, though — that would be the death knell for my youth.
I drink lots of tea, but never eat breakfast. This morning I opened the fridge and all I found was some out-of-date bok choy. There’s an e-cig with me all day, but I haven’t smoked a real fag for six months. I started smoking when I was 11… that’s hardcore. My mum died of lung cancer five years ago, but she never smoked. I should look after myself a bit, but it’s such a faff.
When I first became an MP, I thought I needed to spruce myself up a bit, but that’s not who I am; I don’t worry about fashion or cover myself in make-up. I use whatever crap shower gel’s in the bathroom, and I buy clothes from Zara or H&M.
“Is parliament sexist? Yes. We live in a patriarchal, sexist society and this place reflects that
My London flat is in Brixton. It’s just about big enough for my husband and kids to come and stay in the holidays. They normally live in Birmingham. My husband, Tom, is a lift engineer — a proper white van man — but he had to give it up to look after the kids. He also works for me, so we get a lot of help from his parents and my dad. People say: “Get a nanny.” Why? The kids already have a real nan and two grandads.
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I’m at Westminster by 9 and the job’s very different from what I thought it would be. MPs don’t seem to “produce” much, but there’s a lot of talking and listening. For ages, I felt like the new kid at school, but Margaret Hodge and Harriet Harman have been brilliant. They say: “Don’t let people tell you what to think!”
Both my parents were working-class Labour lefties — Dad was a teacher, Mum went to Greenham Common. Jeremy [Corbyn] reminds me of the people they knew. He’s a very nice man.
There are also lots of posh people in the Labour party; people who can afford to think that principles matter above everything else. My past experience working for a women’s refuge has made me more pragmatic. What’s more important — principles or practical help?
Not everyone agrees with what I think. I’ve had a few run-ins. Diane Abbott rudely interrupted a chat I was having about women in the shadow cabinet, so I told her to f*** off! And, yes, she f***** off. Is parliament sexist? Yes. We live in a patriarchal, sexist society and this place reflects that.
Words of wisdom
There are lots of lunchtime meetings, which means I can eat a couple of those square sandwiches and a piece of cake while I’m talking to the NSPCC. If I’m making a speech, I try not to get caught up in statistics. All that “46% of voters think so and so”. There’s a lot of bullshit in this job. I just hope my bullshit’s more honest.
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On Monday, voting isn’t till 10, but even on a normal day it’s rare for me to get away before 9. I don’t mind travelling at night in the city — I’m more scared of dark country lanes. I’ll pop into Tesco for a microwave Thai meal. I can cook, but my husband is brilliant, so I tend not to bother.
A couple of friends live in the flat below me, so we might have a glass of wine together. Yes, it’s possible to get hammered when you’re an MP, but it’s not easy. I’d rather talk to my kids than deal with a hangover. The other day, my youngest said to me: “Mummy, I didn’t sleep well. I miss you so much.” It broke my heart.
I do watch a bit of telly — I’m obsessed with Bake Off — but I never read work stuff just before bed. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt, there’s a point where you have to switch off.
