A senior Labour source has sparked widespread ridicule by claiming that Andy Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor and newly elected MP for Makerfield, will be the party's "first woman prime minister." The source told The Spectator that Mr Burnham, who is expected to enter 10 Downing Street within weeks, would have an "unashamedly female agenda" and be a "female PM in all but sex."
Backlash from opposition and women's rights campaigners
The comment has been mocked by opposition parties and prominent women's rights campaigners. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: "Labour might have changed leader, but they still don’t know what a woman is." Shadow Equalities Minister Claire Coutinho added sarcastically: "I, for one, only focus my tiny lady mind on energy, the economy or defence when I’m trying to impress the boys."
Harry Potter author JK Rowling wrote on social media: "Great news. The Labour Party has finally found a woman they fancy as leader. It's a man who'll be 'a female PM in all but sex.' A senior figure in the party actually thought that was a good thing to say out loud."
Internal Labour fury
The claim has also angered some Labour MPs. Tulip Siddiq wrote on X: "If there’s anything to make me feel more angry about the fact that no female MP has put themselves forward to be our Leader, it’s reading utter insulting nonsense like this." The remark highlights tensions within the party over gender representation in leadership.
Senior source's rationale
The anonymous Labour source argued that the party had historically been cautious about a female leader but that Mr Burnham could pursue policies focused on health, education, family finances, safer streets, social care, and online safety—issues they described as "disproportionately important to women." The source contrasted this with Tory female leaders, who they claimed faced internal pressure to appear tough on traditionally male issues like defence and the economy.
"Along comes Andy, surrounded by female advisers and backers, but more importantly, genuinely passionate about all those traditionally female-oriented issues, and much less so with the bombs and budgets," the source said. "So could we finally see what Labour has failed to deliver all these years - a female PM in all but sex?"
Burnham camp dismisses comments
A source close to Mr Burnham rejected the framing, calling it "ridiculous" and "out of date and out of touch." They added: "The Labour Party is full of talented women and Andy is proud to be backed by many of them." The controversy comes as Mr Burnham prepares to form a government, with speculation about his Cabinet appointments already underway.
