Starmer Faces Call to Appoint Woman to First Secretary of State Role

In a bold move amid mounting scandals, Labour grandee Baroness Harriet Harman has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to revive the post of first secretary of state—a de facto deputy prime minister—and appoint a woman to lead the charge against misogyny and women’s marginalisation in government.[1] The proposal, raised during Starmer’s meeting with female Labour MPs on Wednesday, comes as the PM grapples with backlash over the Peter Mandelson scandal and accusations of a “boys’ club” in Downing Street.[1]

The Context: Mandelson Scandal Fuels Calls for Change

Starmer’s administration has been rocked by revelations tying Peter Mandelson, appointed US Ambassador in December 2024, to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted paedophile sex trafficker.[3] US Department of Justice releases exposed Mandelson’s lobbying on Epstein’s behalf and sharing state secrets, prompting fury within Labour ranks.[3] Starmer apologised to female Labour parliamentarians for the appointment, acknowledging “structural misogyny” and pledging action to tackle violence against women and girls.[1]

The crisis escalated during Prime Minister’s Questions, where Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of “stuffing Government with hypocrites and paedophile apologists.”[1] She highlighted Matthew Doyle, a peer Starmer elevated despite Doyle’s campaigning for a man charged with child sex offences involving girls as young as 10.[1] Starmer defended his record, stripping Doyle of the Labour whip and rejecting Tory lectures on standards, citing partygate and other Conservative missteps.[1]

Downing Street insists Starmer’s top team remains “strong and united,” with Cabinet ministers rallying support amid calls from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar for him to quit—though Sarwar later received Starmer’s “100%” backing.[1][3] Resignations of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney (a Mandelson protégé) and communications head Tim Allan signal a No 10 shake-up, with top civil servant Sir Chris Wormald rumoured to follow.[1][3]

Harman’s Proposal: A Female First Secretary to “Change the Culture”

Speaking at the women’s Parliamentary Labour Party meeting, Baroness Harman advocated resurrecting the first secretary of state role, last held by Mandelson under Gordon Brown.[1] She envisions the appointee—a woman—tasked specifically with combating misogyny and women’s marginalisation, potentially as a sixth “mission” for Starmer’s government.[1] Starmer responded positively, saying he would “consider” it, while sources described the session as “very positive” with him in “listening mode”—though applause was reportedly more for the women present than the PM.[1]

This call aligns with Labour’s internal discontent over perceived male dominance. Current deputies include David Lammy as deputy prime minister (appointed September 2025 after Angela Rayner’s resignation) and Darren Jones as chief secretary to the prime minister.[2] Neither role matches the prestige of first secretary of state, which has historically acted as a senior stand-in, as seen with figures like Nick Clegg or Dominic Raab.[2]

Harman’s intervention underscores broader tensions. Starmer promised cultural change post-apology, but critics like Badenoch claim he only pretends to care about violence against women “to save his own skin.”[1] Health Secretary Wes Streeting released WhatsApp exchanges with Mandelson, fuelling speculation of deeper ties.[1][3]

Historical Role and Potential Impact

The first secretary of state is not a statutory position but carries significant clout, often combining deputy PM duties with oversight of major policy.[2] Under coalition governments, it demanded bipartisan decision-making, as Clegg noted: a “two-headed” Whitehall dynamic.[2] Reviving it under a female appointee could signal Starmer’s commitment to diversity, countering “boys’ club” jibes and addressing scandals like Doyle’s elevation.[1]

Potential candidates? Harman didn’t name names, but figures like Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan (who voiced “full confidence” in Starmer) or Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham (who urged a “stronger team”) highlight Labour’s female and regional talent.[1] Burnham, though male, emphasised unity, while Morgan’s support amid Welsh pressures shows cross-party loyalty.[1]

This table illustrates how a new role could elevate women’s leadership without displacing Lammy or Jones.[2]

Political Ramifications in a Fractured Landscape

The push arrives as Starmer battles for survival. Left-wing outlets decry the “Mandelson-Epstein crisis” as existential, with Reform UK’s Nigel Farage positioned as a right-wing alternative.[3] Cabinet solidarity—30 applause interruptions and standing ovations at a recent address—has steadied him temporarily.[3] Yet, with Holyrood elections looming, Scottish distractions threaten SNP unseating plans.[1]

Appointing a female first secretary could neutralise gender critiques, fulfil Starmer’s “action” pledge, and refocus on his five missions—potentially adding misogyny as a sixth.[1] Critics argue it’s reactive: Badenoch’s barbs and internal flatness suggest deeper trust issues.[1] Starmer’s legacy? He claims it’s “changing my party and winning a general election,” but scandals risk defining 2026.[1]

Looking Ahead: Will Starmer Act?

As No 10 restructures, Harman’s idea tests Starmer’s resolve. Reviving the role with a woman could reshape government culture, boost female MPs’ morale, and blunt opposition attacks.[1] Failure to act might deepen divisions, especially with Badenoch weaponising sleaze.[1] In a year of political turbulence, this remains a pivotal moment for Labour’s gender agenda and Starmer’s leadership.

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Original source: BBC News – Starmer faces call to appoint woman to first secretary of state role