Andy Burnham Cabinet: Race, Gender, and Regional Makeup in Charts 2026

Andy Burnham's new cabinet marks a historic milestone with gender parity and a notable regional tilt. This article breaks down the demographic makeup of his premiership's first ministerial team, using charts to highlight key trends and comparisons with past governments.

Gender Parity Achieved for the First Time

For the first time in British political history, women make up half of the cabinet. This is a dramatic shift from 1979, when Margaret Thatcher appointed no other women. Under John Major, there was even a period with zero female ministers. Tony Blair's 1997 cabinet included only five women, and the gender gap fluctuated during the Conservatives' 14-year rule. Parity was nearly reached in 2024 under Keir Starmer, with 46% women, but Burnham's appointments finally achieved 50%.

Regional Overrepresentation: The North-West Dominates

Unsurprisingly, Burnham—the former Greater Manchester mayor—has appointed an outsized number of MPs from the north-west. This region accounts for just over a quarter of cabinet posts, despite only 11% of the UK population living there. Under Starmer, the north-west was already overrepresented, contrasting sharply with Rishi Sunak's cabinet, which had only two MPs from the north.

Key Takeaways from Burnham's Cabinet

• Gender parity achieved for the first time in UK history
• North-west MPs hold 26% of cabinet seats, far above their population share
• Comparison with previous cabinets shows a clear trend toward greater diversity

While the cabinet is more representative on gender, critics note that the replacement of Rachel Reeves with John Healey as chancellor reduces female representation in the four great offices of state. The regional imbalance also raises questions about fairness, as other parts of the UK remain underrepresented.

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