Jess Phillips

[GreenlandTheMovie]

I've never been a Labour supporter, so I've viewed Jess Phillips MP in tv debates a few times from a neutral perspective, in fact, probably even somewhat biased against her as representing Labour. Yet I've been consistently impressed. She is passionate, principled, well informed and comes across well. I also saw her interviewed on the night of the last General Election, and she came across as almost a solitary voice of sanity and balanced perspective amongst the panic and blaming others than seemed to characterise Labour at the time.

Yes, she makes mistakes, but she seems to have so much more potential than people like Jeremy Corbyn and even Keir Starmer, who come across as quite happy to remain in Opposition but not really wanting the responsibility and inconvenience of actually running the country.

Is there something I am missing that explains why Labour isn't making more use of Jess Phillips?

[Scrunchy95]

I like JP too. Getting a bit sick of people accusing her of supporting TRA's, do your research and read her tweets. This is from her twitter feed
"I know that we can have a solution & reasonable adjustment and a rhetoric that gives progress to trans people & protects women-only spaces."

She is sympathetic to Tran's people while supporting the protection of women's rights and safe spaces. She is a fierce campaigner for women's rights and yet is shot down on Mumsnet for sympathizing with Trans people. Get a grip, you can sympathize and campaign to protect women's spaces and sports. It's a perfectly well-rounded outlook.

[Wnikat]

Is she "ghastly" because she's a woman, by any chance? Why you would cancel your membership of a political party because of one junior shadow minister?

[TheKeatingFive]

Lets not expect her to be flawless, it's unreasonably high standards when in reality, she is miles better than most other politicians.

This.

I wish labour would wake the fuck up to what might actually win them an election. I can but hope.

[Twistiesandshout]

@GenderApostate19

She knows full well the devastating impact of VAWG but also knows what side her bread is buttered so is heavily entrenched in Gender ideology, despite the obvious threat of letting Males into Female spaces. She is a hypocrite.

Yes, agree.

[Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor]

@AnyFucker

So why does she not speak out about this awful policy to remove women's sex based rights?

Because in the current fucking mad climate she would be cancelled and hounded out of her role. We have to hope there are people paying lip service to TWAW ideology but are actually using their position to keep championing women’s rights

Exactly, was just about to say the same. I like her.

[Alltheprettyseahorses]

She was a member of that committee pushing for the extreme TRA agenda wasn't she? I agree with her on so many things and her book Everywoman has s o many thought-provoking points, but then she says things like she'll rip up her Labour card if x is true, victim confirms x is true, Jess disappears. And of course the bizarre TWAW again. There's a lot to admire but perhaps the idea of Jess is much better than the reality.

[tellmetologoffIamaMNaddict]

Self-serving self-publicist who presents herself as an advocate for women whilst refusing to do her job and engage with constituents on self ID which is the biggest threat to women in a century. She knows this too. The fact she doesn't speak up is testament to her total lack of integrity

[Babygotblueyes]

I think the Labour party is run by the unions, the politics of it are getting more and more left wing and she is not liked by them, and there is a bias against women in the party, unfortunately. As it gets more left wing, that seems to be worse.

[tellmetologoffIamaMNaddict]

@AnyFucker

So why does she not speak out about this awful policy to remove women's sex based rights?

Because in the current fucking mad climate she would be cancelled and hounded out of her role. We have to hope there are people paying lip service to TWAW ideology but are actually using their position to keep championing women’s rights

But she really isn't is she? What could she possibly be doing? Aside from retweeting Woman's Place years ago I can't think of a single thing. I get that it is difficult but she isn't some celebrity who gets to pick and choose her causes. She is an elected representative. She has massively let us down. But I do agree that the reason she hasn't spoken up is to keep her position. I think that is an accurate assessment.

[user1471448556]

I think she is great. I don't blame her for hesitating on getting into the trans debate - her career would be in jeopardy at this point if she did.

[tellmetologoffIamaMNaddict]

@Scrunchy95

I like JP too. Getting a bit sick of people accusing her of supporting TRA's, do your research and read her tweets. This is from her twitter feed
"I know that we can have a solution & reasonable adjustment and a rhetoric that gives progress to trans people & protects women-only spaces."

She is sympathetic to Tran's people while supporting the protection of women's rights and safe spaces. She is a fierce campaigner for women's rights and yet is shot down on Mumsnet for sympathizing with Trans people. Get a grip, you can sympathize and campaign to protect women's spaces and sports. It's a perfectly well-rounded outlook.

What solution? Has she suggested one? That is just the party line of "more light, less heat" with zero substance. We have been asking for years and have had to rely on crowdfunding court cases. You can't blame us for getting impatient. A tweet isn't action. A tweet isn't policy.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

I've said this before and nothing I've seen of her recently dissuades me. We are watching a woman, long passionate about women's rights, realise that her previous stance on TWAW is unsupportable.

She seems to be trying to do what I did, and many other posters who have spoken about it here. Unpicking the years if female socialisation and saying no. But she is doing it in the public eye and has a job that means she is doing a lot of good for women. She is, I think, walking a very thin line. She isn't doing it to the satisfaction of some.

I can't castigate her for that. Even if I do wish she would just stand up and say it. I haven't, not in the real world. I am self employed, can't afford to lose any work. So I am not going to expect her the do differently.

[PantherPantherus]

@AnyFucker

So why does she not speak out about this awful policy to remove women's sex based rights?

Because in the current fucking mad climate she would be cancelled and hounded out of her role. We have to hope there are people paying lip service to TWAW ideology but are actually using their position to keep championing women’s rights

That sounds as if she is a good politician as well as a good person. Necessary skills I think.

[tellmetologoffIamaMNaddict]

I am amazed at the low expectations people have of their politicians. It is OK for them to not respond to constituents if it might jeapordise their career provided they put out the odd vaguely worded conciliatory tweet.

[Alsohuman]

@AnyFucker

So why does she not speak out about this awful policy to remove women's sex based rights?

Because in the current fucking mad climate she would be cancelled and hounded out of her role. We have to hope there are people paying lip service to TWAW ideology but are actually using their position to keep championing women’s rights

This. Just look at what’s happening to J K Rowling, there’s your answer.

[tellmetologoffIamaMNaddict]

"This. Just look at what’s happening to J K Rowling, there’s your answer."
It isn't Rowling's job but she found the courage. It is Phillips' job.

[tellmetologoffIamaMNaddict]

Oh and Rosie Duffield managed it.

[Dustyboots]

I’ve been thinking the same recently OP - about Jess Philips.

I wish she was leader instead of Kier Starmer. So much more dynamic, straight talking - honest. Just interesting.

[Coyoacan]

Not going to get sidelined on the TWAW issue: it is an issue but I assume that's a party line battle she's had to concede.

Aside from that she is a committed and passionate advocate for women's rights

That is a total contradiction to my mind. a committed and passionate advocate for women's rights to everything except safe domestic violence refuges; not be raped in prison; sports; all-women short-lists; awards for women; privacy etc.

[DynamoKev]

I highly rate her. It is obvious the Tories are scared of her as well.

[tellmetologoffIamaMNaddict]

I am actually starting to wonder if the OP is Jess Phillips! I do not get it at all. Baffled!

[porridgecake]

You can't be a passionate supporter of women's rights and, at the same time, support a party policy to remove them.

[Alsohuman]

@tellmetologoffIamaMNaddict

"This. Just look at what’s happening to J K Rowling, there’s your answer."
It isn't Rowling's job but she found the courage. It is Phillips' job.

It’s not Philips’ job any more than it’s Rowlings’. I think she’s playing a long game.

[Dustyboots]

It is obvious the Tories are scared of her as well

Why? I’d love it if they were but why?

[DynamoKev]

@Dustyboots

It is obvious the Tories are scared of her as well

Why? I’d love it if they were but why?

Because of all the hate they spout about her.