LONDON: As Andy Burnham prepares to become the UK’s next prime minister he faces calls to tackle Labour’s alleged “boys’ club” by ensuring women get half of the top jobs in his first cabinet.
The Labour Party — despite having more equality mechanisms in place than the main opposition Conservatives — has yet to elect its first female leader.
By contrast, Tory party leader Kemi Badenoch is the fourth woman to lead her party after former prime ministers Margaret Thatcher, Theresa May and Liz Truss.
Women in the Labour Party reportedly feel a “boys’ club” is blocking their progress.
Labour stalwart Harriet Harman earlier this year urged outgoing premier Keir Starmer to appoint a woman as his de facto deputy to “transform the political culture in government” around women.
