Key facts
- Andy Burnham vowed to end negative briefing against female ministers.
- He promised to dismiss staff found to be undermining women in his team.
- Burnham rejected the notion of being the "first female Labour PM."
- Female MPs have raised concerns about a "boys club" culture and negative story leaks.
- A letter from Labour women MPs called for a 50/50 gender split in ministerial and staff appointments.
Andy Burnham has declared his intention to eradicate the culture of briefing against female ministers within the Labour party, vowing to dismiss any staff member found engaging in such practices. Speaking at a meeting of the women's parliamentary Labour party, Burnham emphasized the importance of a positive culture and stated that any staffer involved in undermining women would be immediately removed.
Burnham also addressed and rejected descriptions of him as a potential "first female Labour PM," a characterization he found inaccurate given his focus on issues like health, education, and family finances rather than traditional "budgets and bombs." This comes amid ongoing complaints from senior women within Keir Starmer's team about a "boys club" atmosphere, despite Starmer's efforts to appoint women to key positions. MPs have noted a disproportionate number of negative stories leaked about female ministers, including Louise Haigh, Yvette Cooper, and Bridget Phillipson.
Burnham's commitment to gender equality was further highlighted when he praised Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood regarding asylum policy. His close allies and organizers, many of whom are women like Louise Haigh and Anneliese Midgley, are expected to take on significant roles in his administration. The sentiment was echoed by female MPs who supported Burnham, expressing outrage at Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's recent description of them as "handmaidens."
Prior to the meeting, Labour women MPs had formally requested Burnham commit to a 50/50 gender split for ministerial and staff positions, and to appoint a woman as Deputy Prime Minister. Their letter highlighted concerns about structural misogyny, bullying, and inadequate engagement with the party and the Parliamentary Labour Party, arguing that sidelining women's voices weakens the government.