Stop moaning and fight! Badenoch opens fire on 'identity politics' of Labour women MPs demanding 50% 'quota' of jobs in Burnham's Government

By DAVID WILCOCK, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 10:24, 2 July 2026 | Updated: 10:27, 2 July 2026 Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender. The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government. Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts. But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'. 'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said. 'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.' The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister. Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'   A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country' A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.  'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said. Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.  'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote. 'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is. 'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.  'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'  'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers. 'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.