Labour deputy leader says No 10 briefing culture will change under Andy Burnham

Lucy Powell said a pattern of anonymous briefings against women would change under Andy Burnham. She told The Guardian that the briefings had been disproportionately aimed at female colleagues and that appointments had followed factional lines rather than merit.

Powell described the environment as unpleasant and said it discouraged people from speaking out. She named female Cabinet ministers, including herself, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, as having been targeted.

Burnham's reported pledge Andy Burnham reportedly told women in the Parliamentary Labour Party that he would sack anyone in his team found to have issued negative briefings. Powell said the change would require collective effort and that diversity in appointments would lead to better decisions.

Starmer's comments Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir said in an interview that Labour should win the next election under Burnham because of work already done. He listed efforts to tackle antisemitism, the 2024 election victory and economic stabilisation as achievements.

Sir Keir said he held no personal animosity toward Burnham and would offer advice only if asked. He described his departure as the end of his own political journey.