Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell has said that the 'boys club' culture of 'nasty' anonymous briefings in Downing Street – mainly targeting women – will change under Andy Burnham, who is widely expected to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.
Pattern of targeting women
Speaking to The Guardian, Powell said that under Sir Keir's premiership, 'there was very clearly a pattern over time of anonymous nasty briefings against colleagues being disproportionately meted out to women.' She added that the culture had become 'very factional, and appointments being made on the basis of which faction or which friendship group you were in… It was not a meritocracy in any sense and not a broad church.'
Powell, a close ally of Burnham, said the briefings 'created more of a culture of not feeling that you could speak out on things… for fear of giving you a black mark against your name.' She noted that female Cabinet ministers – including herself, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper – had been disproportionately targeted, pointing to a 'boys club' at the top of Government.
Burnham's pledge on briefings
Asked if she thought that would change under Burnham, Powell said: 'I do – how is something we'll all need to help with, and be part of.' Burnham reportedly told women in the Parliamentary Labour Party this week that he would sack anyone in his team found to have issued negative briefings.
With ministers jockeying for positions in a Burnham Cabinet, there is intense focus on his appointments and the number of women in his top team. Powell said the debate was 'not about quotas', but 'ensuring that we are thinking about all of these things' and 'that we're listening to the quiet voices too', as more diversity led to 'better decisions'.
Burnham's public engagement
Makerfield MP Burnham, who has faced accusations of dodging scrutiny ahead of his expected entry into Downing Street as early as July 20, posted a video on Instagram on Saturday answering questions. The questions focused on his existing plans, including taking 'stronger public control of essential services' such as water and energy, overseeing 'the biggest council house building programme this country has seen since the Second World War', and increasing business rates on out-of-town warehouses to lift high street businesses.
Burnham also revealed his ideal Greggs order was a sausage, cheese and bean melt. The video followed his 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit on Friday, after he faced criticism for refusing to take questions from journalists following his one major leadership campaign speech.
Starmer's farewell
Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, in his first sit-down interview since announcing his resignation, said Labour 'should go on to win the next election' under Burnham due to the work done in power. He pointed to efforts to tackle antisemitism in the party, the 2024 general election victory, and stabilising the economy over the last two years.
Starmer added: 'My successor will have a platform to build on, which means that Labour can go on and should go on to win the next election.' He insisted he held no 'personal animosity' for Burnham and would support the next administration by giving advice only 'if asked for'.
