Andy Burnham has pledged to eliminate the practice of undermining female ministers if he becomes the Prime Minister. Speaking at a gathering of the Labour Party, he vowed to dismiss any team member engaging in sexist attacks and stressed the necessity for a shift in culture.
This commitment comes in response to concerns raised by prominent Labour women regarding what they perceive as a systematic dissemination of negative reports to the media about female ministers. Burnham also criticized recent remarks made by an anonymous party member to The Spectator, suggesting he would be a female-focused Prime Minister due to his interests in key areas like health, education, and public safety.
The comment sparked outrage among MPs and underscored existing tensions within the Labour Party concerning the absence of a female leader, in contrast to the Conservatives who have had four female leaders, including three Prime Ministers.
During the meeting, Burnham emphasized the importance of cultural change, stating that any team member found engaging in negative briefings would be swiftly dismissed. He explicitly denied any claims of portraying himself as the first female Labour PM.
Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has consistently condemned negative briefings against colleagues and appointed several women to top positions within the government. Notably, Rachel Reeves was named the first female Chancellor, with Yvette Cooper as Foreign Secretary and Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary.
Despite these efforts, complaints persist about attacks on senior women within the party. Various female ministers have spoken out against what they perceive as misogynistic briefings and leaks, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and respectful culture.
As Burnham faces pressure to appoint more women to key roles in his potential Cabinet, Labour’s female MPs have urged him to ensure gender parity among his staff and appoint a female deputy PM. They argue that the exclusion of women’s voices in decision-making processes weakens the government and have raised concerns about structural misogyny and inadequate engagement with the party.
This call for change reflects broader concerns within the Labour Party about gender equality and inclusivity, signaling a pivotal moment for Burnham as he navigates the path to potential leadership.