Harriet Harman Demands Misogyny Be Sixth Core Mission for Starmer Government
Labour peer Harriet Harman has called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to elevate the fight against misogyny to a central priority of his administration. In a stark assessment, she argued that current efforts are insufficient and that a profound culture shift within government is urgently needed.
Critique of Government Culture and Decision-Making
Speaking on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Harman emphasized that women's voices are often marginalized in key decisions. She highlighted the controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, suggesting it would not have proceeded if a woman had been meaningfully involved in the room. Harman pointed to Mandelson's associations with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein as an example where male-dominated perspectives led to flawed judgments.
"The problem about misogyny is not just the discrimination that's meted out to women around and about, but it's also you make bad decisions because you've only got one view in the room - men's views," Harman stated. She criticized the tokenistic inclusion of women, noting that being present does not equate to having real influence in decision-making processes.
Proposal for a Sixth Government Mission
Harman proposed that tackling misogyny should become the sixth headline mission of Starmer's government, alongside existing goals such as economic growth, clean energy expansion, NHS reform, street safety, and breaking down opportunity barriers. "I suggested that we make a sixth mission of actually sorting out misogyny and culture change," she told podcast host Beth Rigby. Harman stressed that this issue requires sustained attention, beyond mere statements, to drive tangible change.
Her comments come during a turbulent period for Starmer's premiership, marked by high-profile departures of close advisers and the nation's top civil servant. The fallout from appointments like Mandelson's has fueled accusations of a "boys club" culture in Downing Street, overshadowing women's experiences and perspectives.
Calls for Justice and Systemic Reforms
Harman also echoed calls for a public inquiry into allegations against the late Mohamed al Fayed, drawing parallels to the Jeffrey Epstein case in the US. She met with victims who feel neglected by the government's focus on international scandals while domestic abuses go unaddressed. "What about your own Epstein, which is al Fayed?" she questioned, urging authorities to investigate trafficking and misconduct claims thoroughly.
To enact real change, Harman advocated for a "total feminist reset" in Number 10, including appointing a female first secretary of state to champion culture reform across government departments. She concluded that achieving equality in decision-making and respecting women's contributions is essential for the government to regain public trust and effectiveness.
