Andy Burnham has appointed the first cabinet of his premiership, and its demographic makeup reveals significant shifts in gender, race, and regional representation. For the first time in British history, half of the cabinet is female, a milestone that contrasts sharply with past governments. The charts below break down the key trends.
Gender Parity Achieved
Women now make up exactly 50% of the cabinet, a historic first. Under Margaret Thatcher in 1979, no other woman served in the cabinet. John Major's cabinet even had periods with zero women. Tony Blair began to tilt the balance, but only five women were in his first cabinet. The gender gap oscillated during Conservative rule, with near-parity under Keir Starmer in 2024 (46% women). Burnham's appointments finally reached parity, though critics note that Rachel Reeves was replaced by John Healey, reducing female presence in the four great offices.
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Historical Comparison
| Prime Minister | Year | % Women in Cabinet |
|---|---|---|
| Margaret Thatcher | 1979 | 0% |
| John Major | 1990 | 0% (some periods) |
| Tony Blair | 1997 | 14% |
| Gordon Brown | 2007 | 23% |
| David Cameron | 2010 | 17% |
| Theresa May | 2016 | 30% |
| Boris Johnson | 2019 | 24% |
| Liz Truss | 2022 | 28% |
| Rishi Sunak | 2022 | 25% |
| Keir Starmer | 2024 | 46% |
| Andy Burnham | 2025 | 50% |
Regional Overrepresentation: The North-West
It is little surprise that Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, has given an outsized number of cabinet posts to MPs from the north-west. That region now makes up just over a quarter of the cabinet, while only 11% of the UK population lives there. Under Starmer, the north-west was already overrepresented, contrasting sharply with Rishi Sunak's cabinet, which contained only two MPs from the north (one being Sunak himself). This geographic tilt reflects Burnham's power base and may influence policy priorities.
Key Takeaways
- Gender parity achieved for the first time in UK cabinet history, with 50% women.
- The north-west is heavily overrepresented at 25% of cabinet seats versus 11% of national population.
- Race and education demographics are shifting, though data is less detailed; Burnham's cabinet includes more state-educated and ethnically diverse members compared to predecessors.
- The replacement of Rachel Reeves with John Healey reduced female representation in the top four posts, sparking debate.
FAQ
What is the gender breakdown of Andy Burnham's cabinet?
Women make up exactly 50% of the cabinet, the first time any UK cabinet has achieved gender parity.
Which region is most overrepresented in Burnham's cabinet?
The north-west of England holds just over 25% of cabinet positions, while only 11% of the UK population lives there.
How does this cabinet compare to previous ones in terms of diversity?
Burnham's cabinet is more gender-balanced than any predecessor and includes a higher share of state-educated and ethnically diverse ministers compared to Conservative cabinets under Sunak or Johnson.
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