Burnham to Reform No 10 Briefing Culture, Says Lucy Powell
Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell has stated that Andy Burnham will transform the “boys club” culture of factional briefings at No 10 Downing Street, which she claims suppressed critics. Powell described experiencing “unpleasant” briefings in Downing Street that discouraged people from speaking out or challenging the government's position.
She added that these briefings negatively impacted individuals’ ability to perform their duties.
“It created more of a culture of not feeling that you could speak out on things […] for fear of giving you a black mark against your name. That is the culture and the atmosphere that we really need to address.”
Powell highlighted that briefings targeting female Cabinet members, including herself, the education secretary, and the foreign secretary Yvette Cooper, exemplified a “boys club” at the highest levels of government.
“There was very clearly a pattern over time of anonymous nasty briefings against colleagues being disproportionately meted out to women,”she said.
“But there was also a culture that became very factional, and appointments being made on the basis of which faction or which friendship group you were in […] It was not a meritocracy in any sense and not a broad church.”
Powell noted that the culture at No 10 had improved recently under senior women and pledged to continue advocating for a meritocratic system where appointments are made openly based on individuals’ passions, experiences, and contributions.
Burnham’s Commitment to Meritocracy and Gender Balance
Andy Burnham recently declared his intention to change this culture. Speaking to members of the women’s parliamentary Labour party, the Makerfield MP said:
“I want to make it clear that if anyone in my team was found to have done that [negative briefing] they would be out of the door. Their feet wouldn’t touch the floor.”
When asked if No 10’s culture would differ under Burnham, Powell responded:
“I do – how is something we’ll all need to help with, and be part of.”
Her comments follow calls from the Labour party’s left wing urging Burnham to listen to previously marginalised voices.
The former Greater Manchester mayor, expected to become prime minister later this month, faces pressure to appoint a significant number of female cabinet ministers, particularly if he replaces Rachel Reeves with a male Treasury secretary. His chief of staff will be James Purnell, a close friend and former cabinet minister, a role now shared by two women, Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson. Female Labour MPs wrote to Burnham before the meeting requesting a 50/50 gender split among ministers and staff.
Powell acknowledged the importance of diversity, stating:
“Better decisions are made when there is more diversity at the top table.”
She emphasized the need for diverse opinions and representation of the party’s various traditions and the country’s demographics, alongside strong female voices at the party’s leadership level.
“All of us are very keen to ensure that there is diversity of opinion and representation of all the different traditions of the party and country as well as obviously making sure that we’ve got strong voices from women at the top of the party,”she said.
“I’m sure Andy will have all of those things in mind.”
Responses to Criticism and Calls for Leadership
On Wednesday, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Labour women for “moaning” and suggested they should contest the party leadership. Writing in The Times, she stated:
“If none of Labour’s women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.”
Powell responded by clarifying that the debate about plurality is not about quotas but about ensuring all perspectives are considered.
“I think women can often be a bit shy about pushing themselves forward in the Labour party,”she said.
“Sometimes the blokes are a bit better at advancing their own causes, so it’s just about making sure that we’re listening to the quiet voices too.”
When asked whether the electorate might view this debate as Labour focusing inward rather than on national issues, Powell argued that a culture embracing differing views leads to better policy and outcomes for the country.
“It’s definitely not about being all things to all people,”she said.
“This is about clear leadership, clear direction, clear purpose and narrative, within a context where difference is respected and opinions are valued and heard. That’s what good leadership looks like.”
Powell’s remarks underscore ongoing efforts within the Labour party to reform internal culture, promote gender equality, and foster a more inclusive and meritocratic leadership environment as Andy Burnham prepares to assume the role of prime minister.
