Labour’s female MPs have warned Andy Burnham that it would not be acceptable “to have more Milibands in the great offices of state than women” – as they push the man expected to become prime minister next month to commit to a 50:50 gender split in his first government.
The warning, contained in a draft letter from the Women’s Parliamentary Labour Party (WPLP) seen by the BBC, comes as Burnham prepares to remove Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the first woman to hold No 11, and bring back New Labour cabinet ally James Purnell as his chief of staff – a job split between two women under Sir Keir Starmer.
“Female Labour MPs demand Burnham commits to 50:50 gender split in government, warning against 'more Milibands than women'.”
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is a possible contender for chancellor in a Burnham government, while speculation is mounting that his brother David could return to UK politics as foreign secretary, perhaps via a seat in the House of Lords.
“We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,” the letter states, demanding that change start at the top.
Labour has never had an elected female leader, whereas the Conservative Party has had three female prime ministers and is currently led by Kemi Badenoch.
At a meeting with the WPLP on Tuesday, Burnham moved to reassure the group he was an ally, promising to sack any staff who undermined women in his team. But he stopped short of making concrete pledges.
“He didn’t make any promises on 50:50 or a woman becoming DPM,” one MP at the meeting told the i newspaper. “He is saying all the right things, but Keir said all the right things too so let’s see how this plays out.”
The prospective prime minister also distanced himself from an anonymous quote published in The Spectator from a “senior Labour source” who claimed he is Labour’s “first female prime minister” because his key lieutenants are women – a remark that caused outrage.
The draft letter, yet to be sent, includes a 13-point plan aimed at removing barriers to gender equality, including a call for a female deputy prime minister and a first minister of state for women. It also demands zero tolerance of bullying or misogyny from No 10 staff and parliamentarians.
“We 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,” the letter reads. “Rooms where decisions are being made are often closed to us leading to blind spots in appointment decisions and policy development.”
One Labour MP complained of what they called a “boys’ club” culture in Westminster, which they said has contributed to scandals, structural misogyny, bullying, and a blind eye being turned to reports of sexual harassment.
Burnham has yet to formally respond to the demands. But with the letter still on its way, the tension between Labour’s women and their soon-to-be leader is far from resolved.