Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has sharply criticized Labour women MPs who are reportedly demanding a 50:50 gender split in a potential Andy Burnham government. Badenoch stated that these women should focus on earning positions through merit rather than resorting to what she termed "identity politics."
The controversy arose amid reports that a letter from the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr. Burnham, who is expected to succeed Sir Keir Starmer, to implement a 50:50 gender split in government roles. The letter also calls for addressing "toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government."
Badenoch, writing in The Times, argued that such demands demonstrate that Labour women "still don't get it." She suggested that if Labour's women are not prepared to challenge for leadership positions, their demands for guaranteed roles are "toothless."
"If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys," Badenoch wrote, contrasting this with Labour's approach. She added, "Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is."
Reports suggest that figures like former foreign secretary David Miliband are being considered for top roles, potentially with his brother Ed as Chancellor. This has led to complaints from some female ministers that Mr. Burnham might appoint too many men, as evidenced by the sentiment that the government could not have "more Milibands than women."
Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister, also addressed the quota question, telling Times Radio that Mr. Burnham should prioritize building "the very best team" to lead the country, rather than reserving jobs based on gender.
Labour has not had a female leader, while the Conservative party has had three. Badenoch suggested that a meritocratic approach, similar to that in the Conservative party, would negate the need for such demands.