Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell says the “boys club” culture of anonymous, factional briefings at No 10 will change if Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister. Across reports, Powell criticises what she describes as an “unpleasant” briefing environment under Sir Keir Starmer, saying it targeted senior figures—particularly female Cabinet ministers—through anonymous briefings to the media.
Powell argues the culture has been used to silence critics and leave people afraid to challenge Downing Street’s position. She says she has personal experience of these briefings and that they discouraged staff from speaking out.
Several outlets report that Powell has asked Burnham to commit to a 50/50 gender split for ministers and staff as part of making No 10 more meritocratic and less factional. The coverage frames her comments as a condition for change to briefing practices and working culture in the office.
The reports present Powell’s claims as calls for reform rather than confirmed policy details from Burnham himself, with the emphasis on a shift in both how briefings are handled and how representation is managed in No 10.
