Female Labour MPs are pressing Andy Burnham to commit to a 50/50 gender split within his government should he become prime minister. A draft letter from the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party (WPLP), seen by the BBC, states that Labour must "lead by example" with its own personnel if it aims to be recognized as the party of equality.
The WPLP is asking for change to begin at the top, urging Burnham to "demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government." The letter highlights that Labour has never had an elected female leader, contrasting with the Conservative Party, which has had three female prime ministers.
The group expressed concern that Burnham is expected to replace Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the first woman to hold the position at No. 11, with men. Additionally, his reported plan to bring back New Labour ally James Purnell as his chief of staff would mean the position is held by a man, after it was shared by two women under Sir Keir Starmer.
One member of the WPLP suggested it would be unacceptable "to have more Milibands in the great offices of state than women," referencing speculation that Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is a contender for chancellor and that his brother, David Miliband, might return to UK politics.
Burnham reportedly reassured the WPLP at a recent meeting, promising to dismiss any staff members who undermine women within his team. Labour MPs have voiced complaints about a "boy's club culture" in Westminster, which they believe has contributed to scandals, structural misogyny, bullying, and a disregard for reports of sexual harassment.
The draft letter articulates that women have "fought very hard to achieve our electoral success only to find that we are battling within our own party to be heard as women." It states that decision-making rooms are "often closed" to women, leading to "blind spots in appointment decisions and policy development." The tendency of previous leaderships to sideline women's voices, the letter argues, makes for a weaker government.
The WPLP's proposed 13-point plan to advance gender equality includes calls for a female deputy prime minister and a dedicated first minister of state for women. It also advocates for a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying, misogyny, and unprofessional behavior that diminishes women's contributions.
Furthermore, the letter addresses threats faced by women, particularly female MPs from ethnic minorities, requesting enhanced security measures and legislative action against online abuse and deepfakes. The same group previously pressured Sir Keir Starmer to appoint a woman as first secretary of state, a significant but then-vacant government role.
Harriet Harman, a former Labour deputy leader, has a long history of advocating for gender equality within the party. She was appointed as an adviser on women and girls by Sir Keir Starmer following criticism of Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador, an event Harman suggested would not have occurred if women had been involved in the decision-making process.
Burnham is currently the sole declared candidate to replace Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister, with the potential to assume leadership as early as July 20. He has publicly praised Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and is also expected to recognize senior northern MPs who have supported his bid, including Deputy Labour Leader Lucy Powell and former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, who managed his campaign.