Andy Burnham has publicly distanced himself from a controversial characterization that he would be Labour's 'first female prime minister' if he were to enter Downing Street. Burnham, who is widely expected to succeed Keir Starmer as Labour leader, stated he has never described himself in such terms. The remark follows a suggestion from a senior Labour figure that Burnham embodies the qualities of a female leader due to his focus on issues traditionally associated with women.
The comments drew sharp criticism from within the Labour party and prompted a retort from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who suggested Labour remains unclear on its definition of a woman.
Burnham addressed the issue during a meeting with female Labour MPs, where he also pledged to address a culture of negative briefing within Westminster. He vowed swift dismissal for any team members found engaging in such practices.
During the same meeting, Burnham received a letter from female Labour MPs outlining demands for gender parity in his prospective government. The letter reportedly calls for at least 50% of ministerial positions and Downing Street staff to be women. It also requests that the Deputy Prime Minister role be given to a woman and that a First Minister of State for Women, attending Cabinet, be created.
Despite the Labour party having a record number of 190 female MPs elected in 2024, it is set to continue a pattern of having male leaders. Burnham is the only anticipated contender for the leadership position, which would make him Labour's eighth male leader and prime minister. In contrast, the Conservative party has had four female leaders and three female prime ministers.
The letter from female Labour MPs highlighted ongoing struggles for recognition within the party, stating, "we are battling within our own party to be heard as women." It described decision-making spaces as often being "closed to us leading to blind spots in appointment decisions and policy development," and warned that "the tendency of previous leaderships to sideline the voices of women makes us a weaker government."
Concerns were also raised in the letter regarding "structural misogyny, the culture in No10, bullying behaviour being rewarded, sexual harassment being ignored and engagement with both the party and the PLP being inadequate" since Labour's 2024 election victory. These issues have been a focus for the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party.
This situation echoes previous pressure on Labour leadership following controversies, including the appointment of Peter Mandelson as Britain's ambassador to the US, which led to calls from Labour MPs to dismantle a perceived 'boys club' in Downing Street.