Bridget Phillipson, the former education secretary, has acknowledged the disappointment of losing her previous role but has chosen to remain engaged within Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s cabinet following his recent reshuffle. Phillipson, who served as education secretary under Keir Starmer’s short-lived Labour government, was replaced by Burnham ally Lucy Powell but retained her position as minister for women and equalities, a role elevated to cabinet status.

Phillipson’s continued presence in government reflects both her loyalty to the Labour Party and a pragmatic acceptance of Burnham’s leadership. On Monday, Burnham appointed the Houghton and Sunderland South MP as chair of the Labour Party, a role involving party organization and election planning, often contingent on the prime minister’s support. Burnham described Phillipson’s appointment as a key part of preparing Labour “match fit” ahead of the next election, emphasizing the need for party unity.

Labour communications framed the move as a sign of Burnham’s intent to build “one united team,” an approach Phillipson echoed during a recent visit to a Rape Crisis centre in Cambridge. She highlighted the importance of unity in strengthening British society and countering divisive forces. Despite past competition—Phillipson was narrowly defeated by Powell for the deputy leadership last October—she expressed full backing for the new education secretary, underlining their longstanding working relationship.

Phillipson also positioned herself as a potential intermediary between Starmer loyalists, many reportedly resentful of the cabinet changes, and Burnham’s supporters. She acknowledged the emotional impact of job losses within the party but stressed shared commitment to winning the upcoming general election. Phillipson maintained that effective leadership could take different forms, referencing her work on special educational needs reform and influencing the lifting of the two-child benefit cap in collaboration with Starmer and Rachel Reeves.

The newly appointed party chair framed the forthcoming election as a critical battleground, citing the rise of Reform UK, which recently surpassed Labour in voter intention polls for the first time in over a year. Phillipson criticized Reform UK leader Nigel Farage for what she called the “shameful” exploitation of women’s issues, particularly around Pakistani grooming gangs and sexual violence committed by foreigners, emphasizing that violence against women and girls should be addressed regardless of perpetrators’ backgrounds.

Phillipson reaffirmed Labour’s manifesto pledge to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, noting Burnham’s decision to make her role a cabinet position as evidence of continued government commitment. She indicated that progress would be monitored through data from the British Crime Survey.

Reflecting on Starmer’s tenure, Phillipson expressed regret over his departure but stressed the importance of unified support for Burnham as the new prime minister. “It is right that you support the leader of your party and you support your prime minister,” she said, affirming her allegiance to Burnham’s leadership moving forward.