Bridget Phillipson, newly appointed chair of the Labour Party by Andy Burnham, is focusing on preparing the party for the next general election while maintaining a determined stance on class inequality. As women’s and equalities secretary, Phillipson has embraced the label “spiteful class warrior,” a phrase used against her earlier this year by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch during a heated parliamentary exchange. Badenoch criticized Phillipson’s policy to apply value-added tax (VAT) on private school fees, calling her appointment a “disaster,” a remark that sparked calls for an apology, which Badenoch declined to issue.

Phillipson, reflecting on the incident ahead of Labour’s conference in Liverpool, expressed a sense of pride in the label. Supporters have sent her T-shirts bearing the phrase, which she continues to wear as a symbol of her commitment to addressing entrenched social inequalities. She emphasized that class remains a crucial yet often overlooked factor influencing individuals’ opportunities based on family background and geography.

“I remain a proud spiteful class warrior addressing the long standing inequalities,” Phillipson said. She emphasized that alongside tackling discrimination related to gender, race, and disability, the Labour Party must sharpen its focus on class issues.

Phillipson also voiced strong criticism of the newly established Reform council in her Sunderland constituency for ending support to Show Racism the Red Card, an anti-racism educational initiative that has operated in schools for three decades. She described the council’s decision as a setback for ongoing efforts to combat prejudice and promote inclusivity among young people.

The forthcoming Labour women’s conference is expected to be met with protests by transgender activists amid ongoing debates within the party regarding protections for women-only spaces. Phillipson urged a pragmatic approach to these complex issues, aligning herself with a recent Supreme Court ruling that upholds single-sex spaces on the basis of biology.

“I’ve always believed that women should have the right to single-sex spaces on the basis of their biology,” she said, while also acknowledging transgender rights. Phillipson stressed that trans individuals deserve legal protections and freedom from intimidation or harassment.

In keeping with this position, the conference will feature single-sex toilets designated by biological sex, aiming to balance the competing concerns surrounding gender identity and women’s rights within the party’s framework.