The nickname ‘Two-Tier Keir’ may gain traction in everyday conversation, following a notable revelation from Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley and a government minister under Sir Keir Starmer.
At an event titled An Evening With Jess Phillips at Kiln Theatre in North London, Phillips shared a personal medical experience that hints at a potential ‘two-tier’ approach not only in policing but possibly also within the National Health Service.
Recalling a distressing episode when she had difficulty breathing—describing how her lips had turned blue and she was unable to breathe—Jess Phillips, 42, shared her experience of seeking urgent treatment at a Birmingham hospital’s A&E.
She described the scene as “appallingly overcrowded,” noting, “I have genuinely seen better facilities, health facilities, in war zones, in developing countries around the world.” Despite the dire conditions, Phillips eventually managed to get to the front of the queue.
Jess Phillips attributed her expedited treatment to two factors: her status and her vote in favor of a Gaza ceasefire, which she believes influenced the Palestinian doctor who attended to her. She recounted that her preferential treatment was partly due to her high-profile position and her political stance. Phillips did not further discuss the potential impact on others who voted differently or might have been in her position, reflecting a possible two-tier system in how she perceived the treatment she received.
