Female Labour MPs have called on Sir Keir Starmer to appoint a senior woman as his de facto deputy in a bid to overhaul what they describe as a “boys’ club” culture in Downing Street. The demand follows a series of scandals that have shaken the prime minister’s leadership and prompted anger among women in the party.
Harriet Harman, one of Labour’s most senior figures, urged Starmer to revive the role of first secretary of state, a post last held by Peter Mandelson under Gordon Brown. She insisted the position must go to a woman to “transform the political culture in government around women and girls”, arguing it would “turbocharge” efforts to halve violence against women and girls.
The intervention comes after a tumultuous fortnight that saw Starmer fighting for his political future. His former communications chief Matthew Doyle was criticised for failing to disclose his campaign for a friend charged with possessing indecent images of children, while the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador sparked fury. Starmer apologised to female MPs at a packed meeting, promising to “eradicate structural misogyny”.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said there had been “far too many misogynistic briefings” by the prime minister’s circle. “I’ve been completely straight with him about how unacceptable that is,” she told ITV. Other female MPs described the week as “the worst week of her life”, with one warning Starmer’s future depended on ending “kowtowing to the vested interests of powerful rich men”.
