𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham was accused of having a “woman problem” after handing almost all the most powerful government jobs to men. The former Manchester Mayor walked up Downing Street on Monday after a coup which turfed out the previous incumbent, Sir Keir Starmer. Also out the door with Sir Keir was Rachel Reeves, who had held the post as Chancellor, with Mr Burnham giving her the boot and handing the job to fellow Cambridge graduate, John Healey.

Mr Burnham was this morning accused by Sky News presenter Sophy Ridge of having a problem with the opposite sex. She put the new premier’s top squad in the hot seat, pointing out that Britain has gone from three of the four great offices of state being held by women to just one. The only woman left in a “great office” is Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary. That’s despite the new boss proudly saying he was backed by “strong Labour women” when he won his Makerfield seat.

Former Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper was replaced by another man, Ed Miliband, with Ms Cooper moved to Health Secretary. Although Health is an important job, the roles of Chancellor, Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary are considered among the “great offices of state”, the top jobs in government, along with the post of Prime Minister.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds was sent out this morning to face the music, but appeared to have a tough time. When challenged if his new boss has “a woman problem” Mr Reynolds insisted “we’ve got to take the whole Cabinet in the round.”

Attempting to defend Mr Burnham, Mr Reynolds pointed to convicted fraudster Louise Haigh’s new role as First Secretary of State, adding: “We look at the overall numbers behind that.”

Ms Haigh was forced to quit the last time she was in Government after it emerged she had told police her phone had been nicked when it hadn’t been.

But Ms Ridge was having none of it, hitting back: “Are you really arguing that? We’ve got a male chancellor, we’ve got a male foreign secretary, we’ve got a male prime minister. But don’t worry, love, we’ve got a female chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, come on!”

Mr Reynolds ploughed on regardless, insisting: “Some of the powerful jobs in this government, and most powerful jobs in the Labour movement, Labour Party, are held by women.”

He added: “Of course, that balance is important. I wouldn’t, you know, in any way deflect from that. But I think look at the overall team here.