Born in Birmingham, Jess Phillips, 36, studied economic and social history at Leeds University and went on to work with victims of domestic and sexual violence, and human trafficking. Since 2015, she has been Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley. Her book, Everywoman: One Woman’s Truth About Speaking The Truth, is out in paperback. She is married with two sons.

When were you happiest?

In the car with my kids, singing Purple Rain.

What is your greatest fear?

Loneliness – I am a pack animal.

What is your earliest memory?

My brother Luke sitting on a sherry glass that was down the side of the sofa on Boxing Day. I was really annoyed, because we had to go to the hospital to get his bum stitched up and I was halfway through Return Of The Jedi. He would have been about four and I was about three.

Which living person do you most admire, and why?

Harriet Harman. I know how hard it is to do what she’s doing.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I am manic and that leads me to behave badly at times.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Meanness – not buying a round.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

My teeth. I had pneumonia when I was 18 months old and I was given penicillin, which I was allergic to, and since then my teeth have been yellow.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

The prime minister.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

I accidently texted an insult about my mother-in-law to her, a week before I married her son. She totally forgave me. I love the woman.

What is your most treasured possession?

A piece of wood that my grandfather carved into the shape of two people cuddling each other. He made it for my mum and dad when they got married in the 60s.

Which book changed your life?

The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole. It’s funny and political.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Really trashy TV like Tattoo Fixers and Love Island.

To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?

Luke. It’s hard growing up with a heroin addict, and I treated him in his vulnerability in a way I would never have treated anyone I worked with.

Who is the greatest love of your life?

My husband, Tom. I’ve known him since I was a kid. When I worked in the pub, he’d come and do the crossword with me.

Which living person do you most despise, and why?

Julian Assange: an entitled man and self-important bore.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Only my mum: she died eight years ago when I was 29.

How do you relax?

I drink prosecco and dance to 1990s R&B.

How often do you have sex?

At least once a week.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

That people listen to my voice when I speak.

What has been your closest brush with the law?

Being carted off in a riot van when I was about 14 at a protest for the Criminal Justice Bill. They didn’t charge me.

How would you like to be remembered?

As a broad who gave it a go.