Labour leader Andy Burnham appoints Bridget Phillipson as chair of the Labour Party, following earlier announcements about his cabinet. Phillipson had previously served as education secretary and minister for women and equalities in Keir Starmer’s cabinet, but she is reported to have lost the education brief when Burnham took office, with Lucy Powell taking over the education department. Sources say Phillipson’s role as party chair involves working closely with Burnham, Powell and chief whip Anneliese Midgley as Labour seeks a “culture change” and to address internal tensions after the end of the Starmer government. Labour describes the appointment as part of an effort to reduce factionalism and improve unity within the party. Burnham says Phillipson will help drive the culture change and support Labour’s readiness for the next general election, while Phillipson frames the appointment as putting Labour values and members’ voices at the heart of government. Multiple outlets note that Phillipson becomes one of a line of senior figures who have held the party chair role, including Harriet Harman, Angela Rayner and Tom Watson, and that her background includes work related to reform of special education needs provision in England.