What Labour's Reshuffle Means For Women’s Representation In Government

Angela Rayner, Britain's Deputy Prime Minister, arrives for a cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)The recent government reshuffle, following Angela Rayner’s resignation, has produced a mixed picture for women’s representation. On the one hand we have lost a vital, vibrant role model for women and girls, with an incredible origin story. On the other hand, for the first time in British history, women now occupy three of the four Great Offices of State: Chancellor (Rachel Reeves), Foreign Secretary (Yvette Cooper), and Home Secretary (Shabana Mahmood).This unprecedented concentration of power is a vital symbol of female political authority – but it will be interesting to watch the media coverage. Women Ministers often face sexist or misogynistic framing, subtly querying authority or competence. Headlines can often carry undermining undertones or double standards – “Legs- it,” anyone? Or, perhaps more pertinent, the bizarre accusation that Rayner was creating a Basic Instinct type distraction for the Chamber. The Deputy Prime Minister’s demise resulted in much crowing in some sections of the press, whilst other (male) MPs – both past and present - whose financial affairs could be deemed dubious at best – are often given more of a free pass. With headlines often calling her ‘The Red Queen’, and alluding to her perceived ‘social class’, it can seem like a female scalp is high currency – and potentially non more so than a working class woman. The media has long unfairly fixated on Angela Rayner – her rise from council estate teenage mum to senior minister, on her own terms, really got under the skins of some in media circles. However, her departure leaves a political landscape that’s just a little bit duller – her authenticity, forthrightness, and ability to connect with the electorate were rare and inspiring. This new vacancy allowed Starmer to enact a reshuffle that, even as we lost a key female player, elevated more women into the most powerful roles.Whilst it is right that we celebrate that this government is solidifying progress by recruiting more women to the top jobs, we must keep an eye on the bigger picture. Women’s representation at senior levels is expanding, but candidate rates are actually slipping, threatening the fragile gains we have made since women won the vote in 1918. The last elections, both local and national, have seen a decline in women candidates. To be clear: the Parties are selecting less women. Section 106 of the Equality Act, advocated for by campaigners like Dr Helen Pankhurst’s Centenary Action, would mandate transparency in party candidate selection—allowing us to see which parties have a “woman problem” or are excluding other marginalised voices.Why does any of this matter? With 41% of MPs and roughly 50% of the Cabinet now women surely - as a large section of the public believe - equality has gone far enough? It matters because representation shapes policy – and policy shapes lives. Whether it’s Theresa May’s early work on domestic abuse, Yvette Cooper’s attention to the safety of women and girls during her tenure at the Home Office, Shabana Mahmood forming a Women’s Justice Board or Rachel Reeve’s early commitment to end the gender pay gap – Ministers are making a material difference to women and girls across the UK and beyond. This work spans the political parties: from the Conservative’s Alicia Kearn’s focus on sexual violence in conflict to Lib Dem Wera Hobhouse’s dedication to ensuring zero tolerance of sexual harassment in the workplace. But this is not just about ‘women supporting women’, it’s about all of us.Research shows how the increased participation of women, and diversity more generally, leads to better outcomes for people and planet: creating healthier, safer, and more sustainable nations. I am sure I am not alone in feeling like the world is going to hell in a handcart right now. For a chance at a better future, it is imperative that women, from all backgrounds, have an equal say in our policy-making and legislature. ”Equal Seats for an Equal Say”, if you will.That’s why 50:50 Parliament’sAsk Her To Stand campaign each November matters so much. It encourages women – especially those from underrepresented backgrounds – to enter politics. Rayner’s example shows that, for many women, politics can indeed be for them. Rayner was Deputy Prime Minister but it is worth noting that the Labour Party has never had a female leader. In contrast, the Conservatives have had four. Looking across Parliament, there is a strong showing of female representation at the top; alongside the trio in the great offices of state, we have the leader of the opposition, the Lib Dem Deputy Leader and all three of the Deputy Speakers. But we must not get complacent, it has taken over a century to get here and our hard-won gains are at risk. We need women of all political persuasions to consider putting themselves forward to stand; if they don’t we could see progress rolled back at the next election.Lyanne Nicholl is an author, writer and part-time CEO at 50:50 Parliament#AskHerToStand runs throughout November, encouraging women to ‘Sign Up To Stand’ at www.5050parliament.co.uk and take the first steps on their political journey.Related...Bridget Phillipson Takes Early Lead In Six-Way Race To Be Labour Deputy LeaderLabour Deputy Leadership Candidate Warns Starmer Party 'Can't Out-Reform Reform'Who Might Run To Replace Angela Rayner As Labour's Deputy Leader?

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