Labour leadership contender Andy Burnham is facing mounting pressure from female members of the party to prioritise gender balance and diversity in his prospective cabinet if he becomes prime minister. Women MPs and activists within Labour have expressed frustration that the party is poised to have another male prime minister, following Sir Keir Starmer’s tenure, urging Burnham to avoid repeating what they perceive as earlier mistakes.

Although Labour has had interim female leaders—Dame Margaret Beckett and Baroness Harriet Harman—none have been elected as party leader. This contrasts with the Conservative Party, which has had three female prime ministers and is currently headed by Kemi Badenoch. Labour women argue for greater representation in top government roles, demanding a gender-equal split in ministerial appointments and calling for a female deputy prime minister, a position that does not automatically go to the Labour Party’s directly elected deputy leader.

Burnham is anticipated to replace Rachel Reeves as Chancellor, potentially removing the first woman to hold that post, though Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, is seen as a leading contender for the role. He is also expected to appoint James Purnell as his chief of staff, a choice that signals a return to New Labour-aligned figures. Under Starmer, the chief-of-staff role was jointly held by two women as an attempt to address accusations of a “boys’ club” culture and instances of harassment within Downing Street, a culture many female MPs say has persisted despite Starmer’s leadership.

At a meeting with Labour’s Women’s Parliamentary Party, Burnham expressed support for women in the party and pledged to dismiss staff who undermine them. Nevertheless, some attendees remain cautious, noting similarities with Starmer’s previous assurances. The mood among Labour women improved after tensions earlier in the week, but no formal commitments on achieving gender parity or appointing a woman deputy prime minister were made.

Speculation is growing that Burnham could assign the deputy prime minister role as a consolation to displaced senior figures following an imminent cabinet reshuffle, mirroring Starmer’s appointment of David Lammy as DPM after moving him from the Foreign Office. Some MPs argue that the role’s significance depends on whether the deputy wields real authority and serves as a bridge to party grassroots, unions, and backbenchers. Women MPs stress the importance of the position holding substantive power rather than serving merely as a nominal stand-in.

Burnham is also expected to reward loyal northern MPs, including Lucy Powell from Manchester Central, Louise Haigh of Sheffield Heeley, and Anneliese Midgley from Knowsley, although his decision to establish a prime ministerial office in Manchester—dubbed “No 10 North”—has sparked concern among MPs representing other regions, particularly in the Midlands, the northeast, and coastal areas. Some express wariness about the concentration of influence among a “northern squad.”

Aside from gender issues, Labour MPs have urged Burnham to focus on ethnic diversity in his cabinet and staff, highlighting that previous administrations led by Theresa May and Boris Johnson appeared more representative than Starmer’s team. Several women call for better inclusion of Black and minority ethnic members in senior posts and Downing Street staffing.

Meanwhile, MPs continue to lobby Burnham from his temporary Commons office as speculation grows around key appointments. Debate persists over figures such as Ed Miliband as chancellor, with mixed opinions reflecting ideological and personal considerations. Women MPs have issued a clear warning to Burnham: failure to appoint women and allies who genuinely amplify female voices risks repeating challenges faced under Starmer’s leadership.

As the party awaits final decisions, the dynamics between gender, regional representation, and diversity remain central to Labour’s internal discussions and Burnham’s positioning ahead of a potential premiership.