Everywoman: One Woman’s Truth About Speaking the Truth

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Caitlin Moran wrote a book entitled "How To Be A Woman" which was also interesting, readable, funny, etc. Her experience working for a charity that helps women who have been victims of abuse has given her an insight into the worst that men can do to women. A passionate advocate for equality, her feminism isn’t academic, it’s real, earned from years working at the coalface of Women’s Aid. Candid about being a young mum – ‘ most of the time – if I’m completely honest – it’s unremarkable, tedious and frankly a bit meh. She’s so funny and strong and inspiring (her constituency is actually Birmingham Yardley) and I am fortunate to have her as my MP.

It's about something much bigger - how female MPs and women in politics are perceived and treated, society's attitudes towards women who are subjected to domestic abuse (she worked at Women's Aid in Birmingham for a number of years before being elected), and so much more besides. But her logic is lacking (if you think that is sexism at work, work through her logic and try again) and the little things annoy me too, keen to show she was cool when younger and never apologising for 'being who she is', as though modifying your behaviour to your environment is always just being put in your place rather than making life more pleasant. I attended one of Caitlin Moran’s Live tour dates on June 28th where no other than Jess herself was discussing Moran’s new publication and various taboo issues with brilliant clarity and once again that trademark honesty.

This is not a theoretical treaty about feminism but it oozes the down to earth appeal of an MP who has long lived among the people she seeks to represent. I’d heard of Jess Phillips before with some of her tweets being retweeted into my timeline, but I didn’t really know much of who she was. I don't particularly care to hear for the 320th time that Jess Phllips thinks I could totally get out there and be an MP, because it's a meaningless statement unless it's addressed to someone the speaker actually knows. You might also enjoy Know Your Place: Essays on the Working Class by the Working Class by Nathan Connolly.

I had the privilege to hear her speak last year in Birmingham and she was such a wonderful speaker, full of wit and anecdote. Favourite line: if you've ever thought you're not up to being an MP you obviously haven't looked hard at some of the people who are currently doing it. MLA style: "Everywoman: One Woman's Truth About Speaking the Truth by Labour MP Jess Phillips to be adapted for TV drama.Written shortly after Jo Cox’s death, she examines how the stakes are set for women in positions of power and how to deal with attempts to silence women’s voices. Jess Phillips is not Everywoman (which is fine) but thinks that she is (which is really not fine at all). I have now picked up a second book by Jess to learn more about the political system, because with her writing style I may actually understand how government is actually supposed to work in this country! Her pride in being ‘normal’ is something she wears as a badge of honour, celebrating her Brummy accent, determined to carry on speaking in her own voice because ‘if we don’t start sounding like the public, ordinary people will disengage and we’ll be left with the Establishment holding court and we can’t have that!