First Cabinet minister backs Andy Burnham’s return

Bridget Phillipson has become the first Cabinet minster to endorse Andy Burnham’s return since the Greater Manchester Mayor announced he would stand for Parliament. She also declined to rule herself out of running to become prime minister in the future, saying “it’s a mistake to rule yourself out of things for hypothetical situations that might or might not arise into the future”. In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Week in Westminster, the Education Secretary insisted Sir Keir Starmer “continues to have my full support” despite what she described as “a really tough and bruising and very draining couple of weeks for everybody”. Shorts Asked whether Burnham should be allowed to stand in the Makerfield by-election, Phillipson said there was “certainly no intention to stand in the way of Andy being a candidate”. ‘I’ll campaign for whoever is the Labour candidate’ She said the Greater Manchester Mayor “would be a strong candidate”, adding: “He’s been a great mayor in Greater Manchester. I’ve worked with him really closely on everything from SEND reform to skills, further education, so I know he’ll be a strong candidate in putting himself forward.” Pressed on whether she could campaign for Burnham given that many of his supporters want him to challenge Starmer for the leadership, Phillipson said: “I’ll be campaigning for whoever the Labour candidate is in the by-election in Makerfield. That’s my responsibility.” Following a week of political turmoil when more than 100 MPs and ministerial aides called on Starmer to quit, Josh Simons, the Labour MP for Makerfield, announced on Thursday that he was resigning his seat for Burmham. Despite blocking him from standing in the Denton and Gorton by-election in January, Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) has given permission for Burnham to stand in the candidate election process for the Makerfield by-election, which is due to take place on 18 June. Applications close on Monday, which is a similar timetable for Reform UK, which opened its application process on Thursday. If he is chosen to be the candidate, the Greater Manchester Mayor is likely to have a tough fight with Reform over the seat. Nigel Farage’s party performed well in last week’s local elections in the area, gaining 24 seats on Wigan Council and pulling in around 50 per cent of the vote compared to Labour’s 27 per cent, and have pledged “to throw everything” at it. After a week of infighting as Starmer’s premiership teetered on the brink, the Education Secretary appealed for unity, saying “an extended period of introspection is not in anybody’s interest and certainly not in the interests of the British people”. She said voters wanted the Government “to be clear and fast enough in delivering the transformational change that they voted for in 2024”, rather than “argue amongst ourselves”. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had on Monday backed Burnham’s return, while also remaining supportive of the Prime Minister, but this was before Wes Streeting’s resignation as health secretary and Josh Simons’ decision to vacate the Makersfield seat to make way for Burnham. Burnham is expected to stand against Starmer for the Labour leadership if he wins the by-election. There are others thought to be supportive of Burnham in Cabinet, such as Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, but have not yet give a public endorsement. Streeting was also technically in the Cabinet when he backed Burnham’s return in his resignation letter on Thursday. New guidance on single-sex spaces Philipson is widely expected to publish new equalities guidance next week following the Supreme Court ruling on biological sex and single-sex spaces last year. She said: “I am clear that single-sex spaces matter for women and that biological sex is the basis on which we deliver single-sex provision, but I’m also clear that everyone in our country, including trans people, should not be on the receiving end of abuse or harassment.” Asked about reports of a leaked draft of the guidance which suggested the position may not be as clear-cut as the Supreme Court ruling, Phillipson said: “You’ll understand I can’t comment on leaked drafts.” It comes after a leaked draft seen by the BBC in November said trans people could be asked about whether they should be accessing single-sex services based on their physical appearance or behaviour. However, Phillipson insisted the Government would not undermine the judgment, saying the new code would provide “clarity, certainty, and the clear guidance that they need about how they can uphold their responsibilities under the law”. She also rejected suggestions ministers had deliberately delayed publication of the guidance, saying: “I can categorically and absolutely say that is not the case.”