Bridget Phillipson, the newly appointed chair of the Labour party, has spoken out about losing her role as education secretary, describing it as 'hurtful' but insisting she remains committed to the party's success under Prime Minister Andy Burnham. In an exclusive interview, Phillipson, who also serves as minister for women and equalities, visited a Rape Crisis centre in Cambridge this week to highlight her ongoing work.
Phillipson's Demotion and New Role
Phillipson was removed from her education post during Burnham's cabinet reshuffle last week, replaced by Lucy Powell, an ally of the new PM. Despite the demotion, Phillipson accepted the standalone cabinet position of women and equalities minister, which she had previously held alongside education. Burnham also appointed her as Labour party chair on Monday, a move seen as an olive branch to Keir Starmer loyalists and an attempt to foster unity.
'It hurts to lose a job you love,' Phillipson said. 'Being education secretary was amazing … and I’m really proud of what we achieved in that time.' She emphasized that she did not walk away from government, choosing instead to continue in a role that allows her to focus on key issues.
Unity and the Fight Against Reform UK
The role of Labour party chair involves election planning, administration, and party cheerleading, with its importance hinging on the PM's backing. Burnham stated that Phillipson would play a 'vital role' in making Labour 'match fit for the next election.' Phillipson echoed this, saying that by 'uniting together,' Labour would 'bring hope back to communities and strengthen British society against those working to divide us.'
Phillipson acknowledged the challenge of working harmoniously with Lucy Powell, who defeated her in the deputy leadership contest last October. 'That contest was almost a year ago. It’s in the past, and Lucy’s a great colleague,' Phillipson said. 'We’ve worked together for many years, and she has my full support in the role.'
Bridging the Divide
Phillipson hopes to act as a bridge between bruised Starmer loyalists and Burnham's team, many of whom are privately angry. 'I know how people will feel, those who’ve lost out – I know it hurts. It hurts to lose a job that you have loved and put heart and soul into,' she said. 'But I know that however people feel at the moment, they want to win the next election as much as I do, and they know how high the stakes are.'
Despite her gentle demeanor, Phillipson insists she will not pull her punches. She pointed to her record on reforming special educational needs provision and pushing Starmer and Rachel Reeves to lift the two-child benefit cap. 'I’m my own person, and I’ve always believed that there are different ways of being effective,' she said.
Taking on Reform UK
Phillipson repeatedly returned to the threat from Reform UK, which slipped into second place behind Labour in a voter intention poll for the first time in over a year this week. 'We’ve got the fight of our lives on our hands to win at the next general election, our country is at a perilous moment,' she said. 'We’ve got to modernise and unite our party and our movement, and take the fight to Reform. That is a huge responsibility.'
She accused Nigel Farage and his party of 'shamefully' weaponising women's pain by focusing on Pakistani grooming gangs and sexual violence committed by foreigners. As women and equalities minister, she vowed to keep the issue on the agenda. 'We should go after whoever commits violence against women and girls, whatever their background, whatever their ethnicity,' she said.
Commitment to Women's Safety
Phillipson insisted that Labour's manifesto commitment to halve violence against women and girls in a decade remains intact, despite Burnham not referencing it so far. She noted that making her role a standalone cabinet position 'demonstrates his commitment to equality and advancing women’s rights in our country.' Ministers will track VAWG crimes reported in the crime survey for England and Wales to hold themselves accountable.
Loyalty to Burnham
A week and a half into Burnham's government, Phillipson said the new PM has brought 'a real sense of hope, optimism and energy,' while building on the 'good work' of the previous two years under Starmer. 'I am very sad at how things ended for Keir because he has achieved something that very few Labour leaders ever do, which is going from opposition into government and winning a landslide victory,' she said.
However, she made clear her loyalties now lie with Burnham. 'I supported Keir from opposition to government because I believe it is right that you support the leader of your party and you support your prime minister,' she said. 'It is therefore now right that Andy commands that loyalty from all of us.'
