UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says she faced sexist briefings from Number 10 despite being seen as Sir Keir Starmer’s favored deputy.
As reported by The Telegraph, Bridget Phillipson said she “completely” believes she has been targeted by sexist briefings.
What did Bridget Phillipson say about Downing Street briefings and her deputy leadership bid?
Bridget Phillipson claims Downing Street may have briefed against her performance as she seeks deputy leadership. She pointed out the “irony” of media reports naming her Sir Keir Starmer’s preferred deputy.
Reports suggested Ms Phillipson faced a high risk of dismissal ahead of this year’s Cabinet reshuffle.
She competes with Lucy Powell, who was removed as Commons leader in the Prime Minister’s reshuffle following Angela Rayner’s resignation.
During a BBC interview, when asked if she experienced sexist briefings, Ms Phillipson responded, “Yes, completely. But you know, that’s life.”
She said,
“I’ve been underestimated most of my life. I’ll just continue getting on and doing what I’m doing, not worrying too much about some of the nonsense that gets written in the papers.”
Ms Phillipson stated,
“But I do slightly have to laugh, because there’s this idea swirling around somehow, that I’m No 10’s preferred candidate for all of this.”
She said,
“Well, I’m not quite sure that’s what you and many colleagues in the media have been saying in recent months, with all of this negativity and nonsense that I face. So there’s a certain irony I would say, in some of the way that this is being approached.”
Asked whether a “boys’ club” culture surrounds Keir Starmer, Ms Phillipson responded,
“I think for me it’s more a question of, we had lots of new colleagues who were elected last year. Lots of brilliant people who haven’t felt that they’ve been part of the team in the way that they should.”
She added,
“That’s true from the conversations I’ve had, not just with colleagues in Parliament, but actually across our movement. We’ve got to get better at working together as a team in Parliament but also uniting our party and our movement, and that’s what I would bring in terms of my ability to unite the party.”
In an interview with LabourList, Ms Phillipson said she faced
“a fair bit of nonsense along the way, with much written and said about the approach I’m taking.”
She stated,
“I think that shows I’m a pretty independent-minded and forceful person. That’s what members should expect from me, if they vote for me as their deputy.”
According to her, additional measures are needed to assist Labour MPs elected for the first time.
She said,
“We’ve got to get better at working together as a team in Parliament, but also uniting our party and our movement.”
When questioned whether Labour MPs are being overlooked by the Prime Minister and his team, the Education Secretary replied,
“Being the Prime Minister is an incredibly tough job, and there is a lot going on internationally that the Prime Minister has to lead on behalf of our country.”
She added,
“But I do think collectively, there needs to be much more done to work with colleagues to get into a better position.”
What did Lucy Powell say about ‘sexist’ coverage of the Labour deputy race?
Labour members favor Lucy Powell, recent polls suggest, with a LabourList survey last week putting her 17 points ahead.
She is supported by Andy Burnham, Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Justin Madders, the former employment minister who was also removed in the recent reshuffle.
According to Ms Powell, her contest with Ms Phillipson has attracted “sexist commentary” and been seen as a clash between Mr Burnham and Sir Keir.
She said,
“You’ve got two strong women in an open and transparent contest.”
Ms Powell added,
“And instead of talking about the two strong women, everybody’s talking about this being a sort of proxy for war between two men, which, quite honestly, I find kind of sexist.”
Why has Downing Street faced criticism over its treatment of female aides?
Downing Street has come under scrutiny in recent months for its treatment of female aides.
Less than 100 days into Sir Keir’s premiership, Baroness Gray, his ex-chief of staff, was dismissed from Number 10 after clashes with colleagues.
The departure of Nin Pandit, Sir Keir’s former principal private secretary, drew criticism last month for being handled in a “needlessly cruel” manner by Downing Street.
According to insiders, Sir Keir doubted her effectiveness in the role, and she had earlier been branded “useless.”
Key details about Keir Starmer’s cabinet reshuffle
Sir Keir Starmer’s reshuffle sees David Lammy appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, replacing Angela Rayner. Yvette Cooper moves in as Foreign Secretary, taking over from Lammy.
Shabana Mahmood becomes Home Secretary, succeeding Cooper. For the first time, the three most senior offices below the Prime Minister are held by women.