Don’t be a “robot”, speak your mind, Jess Phillips tells MPs

Politicians must reject the “easiest option” of turning into “line-driven robots”, Jess Phillips has said.

The straight-talking Labour MP has described the pressure on politicians to hide their individuality and said they must reflect the diversity of the population as a whole.

Phillips, who represents Birmingham Yardley, spoke personally about the pressures of working in the public eye: straying from the party line “exposes you” and leads to a backlash. Similarly politicians can be lulled into thinking  the population is “all the same”.

The pressure to conform to party positions, and distance from the lives of most Britons, undermines democracy, she added. 

“We can pass laws without regard for how it affects individuals and you can believe that we’re all faceless bureaucrats.”

Phillips used a video produced for the Guardian to outline how the Westminster bubble helps the “establishment” who produce laws without considering the diversity of the population.

“The establishment wants you to believe that we’re all the same. It keeps the power firmly in their hands.

“You know what? They think the same of you. The public isn’t made up of individuals. It’s a homogenous group, all the same and to be judged accordingly. No room for individuality in the established order! You think we’re all the same, and we think you’re all the same. It’s a lot easier that way.”

Phillips has received attention for describing her experiences of sexual assault. She also received rape threats for speaking out about her opinions on gender equality.