Starmer Faces Pressure to Appoint Woman as First Secretary of State

Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to reinstate the position of first secretary of state and appoint a woman to the role to address issues of misogyny within the government. This call came during a meeting with female Labour MPs on February 11, 2026, where Labour veteran Baroness Harriet Harman emphasized the need for a dedicated individual to tackle the marginalization of women in politics.

The first secretary of state serves as a de facto deputy prime minister, a role previously held by Peter Mandelson during Gordon Brown’s administration. This suggestion arises as Starmer faces mounting criticism regarding his appointments, particularly following accusations from Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch, who labeled his government as “hypocrites and paedophile apologists” during Prime Minister’s Questions.

In his address to the women’s Parliamentary Labour Party, Starmer acknowledged the concerns raised by female MPs. He apologized for appointing Lord Mandelson, assuring attendees that an apology “must come with action.” He highlighted the necessity of eradicating “structural misogyny” and achieving significant cultural change within the Labour Party and beyond.

While one source described Starmer’s engagement with female MPs as “very positive,” another remarked that the applause was directed at the women present, indicating a somewhat flat atmosphere. Baroness Harman further urged Starmer to make tackling misogyny a sixth “mission” of his government, a proposal he stated he would consider.

The controversy surrounding Lord Mandelson’s appointment as the US ambassador has intensified scrutiny of Starmer’s judgment. Badenoch pointed out that Mandelson’s situation is not an isolated incident and referenced the recent appointment of Matthew Doyle, who had previously campaigned for a man charged with child sex offences.

Starmer responded to these allegations by stating, “Matthew Doyle did not give a full account of his actions. I promised my party and my country there will be change, and yesterday I removed the whip from Matthew Doyle.” Although he has faced calls for Doyle to relinquish his peerage, Starmer’s commitment to change remains a focal point of his leadership.

The Prime Minister’s spokesperson has rejected claims that his administration operates as a “boys’ club.” He maintains that he has not failed to fulfill his promise to eliminate sleaze from the government. In the face of dissent, Starmer has insisted that his leadership team is “strong and united” and has received public backing from several prominent Labour figures.

As Starmer contemplates a reshuffle of his team, including the potential departure of the country’s top civil servant, Sir Chris Wormald, the Labour leader must navigate these challenges while addressing the pressing need for more diverse representation within his government.

With the upcoming elections and ongoing scrutiny of his leadership decisions, the pressure to act decisively on these issues remains high.