Andy Burnham has pledged to eliminate the practice of undermining female ministers through unofficial disclosures if he becomes the Prime Minister. Speaking at a gathering of the Labour Party’s women’s Parliamentary group, Burnham emphasized his readiness to dismiss any team member engaged in sexist attacks, emphasizing the necessity for a shift in organizational culture.
This commitment comes in response to complaints raised by senior female Labour members concerning what they perceive as a recurring trend of negative disclosures to the media about female ministers. Burnham also criticized recent comments made by an anonymous party member to The Spectator, insinuating that he would be the first female Prime Minister of the Labour Party due to his focus on issues such as healthcare, education, family finances, and public safety.
The remark sparked outrage among MPs and underscored existing tensions within the Labour Party regarding the absence of a female leader, contrasting with the Conservatives who have had four female leaders, including three Prime Ministers.
Addressing the PLP meeting, Burnham emphasized the significance of cultural change, stating his zero-tolerance policy towards negative briefings within his team. He explicitly disavowed any claims of being the first female Labour Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has consistently condemned negative briefings against colleagues and appointed several women to key positions in the government. Notably, Rachel Reeves serves as the first female Chancellor, with Yvette Cooper as Foreign Secretary and Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary.
Despite these appointments, concerns persist regarding attacks on senior female figures within the Labour Party. Various women, including Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, and former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, have reported experiencing sexist briefings.
With pressure mounting on Burnham to appoint more women to top government roles, Labour’s female MPs have urged him to ensure gender balance in his Cabinet. They advocate for greater inclusion of women in decision-making processes to enhance policy development and government effectiveness.
The MPs highlighted ongoing concerns about structural misogyny, bullying culture, and inadequate engagement within the party and the PLP. They emphasized the importance of addressing these issues to create a more inclusive and effective government.
