Harriet Harman urges Starmer to make misogyny a sixth government mission

Starmer Government Urged to Prioritize Combating Misogyny

February 13, 2026

London, United Kingdom – A leading voice within the Labour Party, Baroness Harriet Harman, is advocating for a heightened focus on addressing misogyny, suggesting it become a core, sixth mission of the prospective Starmer government. This call comes amidst a turbulent period for the Labour leader, marked by high-profile departures and scrutiny over the culture within his inner circle.

Harman’s intervention follows a week of critically important challenges for Sir Keir Starmer, including the resignations of key advisors and a top civil servant. The controversies surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the U.S. ambassador, coupled with revelations concerning a former communications chief’s connections to a convicted sex offender, ignited criticism focused on a perceived imbalance of power and a lack of consideration for women’s perspectives.

Calls for Systemic Change

Speaking on the “Electoral Dysfunction” podcast, Baroness harman argued that existing efforts to tackle misogyny are insufficient. She proposes that the Labour Party explicitly elevate the issue to the level of its five current core missions: fostering economic growth, expanding clean energy initiatives, improving the National Health Service, bolstering public safety, and leveling possibility barriers.

“there is a recognition now that it’s not just good enough to pay lip service to the issue,” Harman stated. “This has got to be seen through with a concrete commitment”. She emphasized the need for sustained action rather then isolated statements.

“in The Room” isn’t Enough: The Need for True partnership

Harman further contended that the appointment of Lord Mandelson, given his known associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, would likely not have proceeded had more women held influential positions within the decision-making process. She expressed concern that the presence of women in meetings, without genuine decision-making authority, is a superficial gesture.

“The problem about misogyny isn’t simply the discrimination women face, but the flawed decisions made because of a lack of diverse perspectives,” she explained. “You make bad decisions as you’ve only got one view in the room—men’s views—and they don’t cognise issues likewise.”

Issue	Current Situation	Proposed Solution
Misogyny in Government	Addressed sporadically	Designate as a sixth core mission
Women’s Influence	Limited in key decisions	Ensure equal partnership in decision-making
accountability	Concerns over past appointments	Increased scrutiny and clarity

Demands for Investigation and Reset

The call for action extends beyond internal Labour Party dynamics. Baroness Harman and former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson both highlighted a lack of justice for women who have suffered abuse at the hands of powerful individuals. They echoed prior calls from former Prime minister Gordon Brown for a thorough investigation into the trafficking of women within the United Kingdom.

Specifically,Harman advocated for a public inquiry into allegations of misconduct against the late Mohamed al Fayed,involving over 400 claims. She also called for a complete overhaul of the culture within 10 Downing Street and the appointment of a female First Secretary of State to champion cultural change throughout government.

As the Labour Party navigates this period of internal reflection and external pressure, the issue of misogyny remains a critical challenge. Addressing this issue effectively could prove pivotal to restoring public trust and demonstrating a genuine commitment to equality and inclusivity.

Do you believe a dedicated focus on combating misogyny is essential for any incoming government? And what concrete steps can be taken to ensure women have meaningful depiction and influence in political decision-making?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

How would the Labor Party implement a dedicated mission to combat misogyny?

Harriet harman’s Call for Action: Addressing Misogyny as a Core Labour Priority

Harriet Harman, the veteran Labour MP and former acting leader, has publicly urged Sir Keir Starmer to formally recognize misogyny as a sixth key mission for a potential Labour government. this call to action comes amidst ongoing debates surrounding violence against women and girls, and the need for a more comprehensive approach to tackling gender inequality within the UK.

The Five Existing Labour Missions

To understand the significance of Harman’s request, it’s crucial to outline Labour’s current five key missions, unveiled in 2023:

1. The Economy: Secure the highest sustained growth in the G7.
2. NHS: Cut waiting lists and build an NHS fit for the future.
3. Education: Break down the barriers to opportunity.
4. Climate: Make Britain a clean energy superpower.
5. Crime: Make Britain’s streets safe.

harman argues that a dedicated mission addressing misogyny is not simply an addition, but a necessary component to achieving progress across all these areas. She contends that societal attitudes contributing to misogyny directly impact economic participation,healthcare access for women,educational attainment,and even perceptions of safety and crime.

Why a Dedicated Mission on Misogyny?

Harman’s argument rests on several key points:

* Systemic Nature of the Problem: Misogyny isn’t isolated incidents; it’s a deeply ingrained societal issue manifesting in various forms – from everyday sexism to online harassment and, tragically, lethal violence.

* Impact on Economic Growth: Discrimination and harassment limit women’s economic opportunities,hindering overall economic growth. Addressing these barriers unlocks potential and boosts productivity.

* Public Safety & justice: Violence against women and girls remains a significant public safety concern. A dedicated mission would signal a commitment to prioritising prevention, protection, and prosecution.

* Intersectionality: Misogyny intersects with other forms of discrimination, such as racism and homophobia, creating compounded disadvantages for certain groups of women. A comprehensive mission must acknowledge and address these complexities.

* Accountability & Measurement: Formalising misogyny as a mission provides a clear framework for setting targets, measuring progress, and holding the government accountable.

Examining the Legal Landscape: Is Misogyny a Hate Crime?

The debate around legally defining misogyny as a hate crime has been ongoing for years. Currently, the legal system doesn’t explicitly recognise misogyny as a protected characteristic under hate crime legislation. This means that crimes motivated by hatred of women aren’t consistently treated with the same severity as those motivated by hatred of race, religion, or sexual orientation.

several police forces in England and Wales have begun recording misogyny as a hate crime, but this is not yet a national standard. The law Commission, in a 2022 report, recommended the creation of new laws to protect people from abuse motivated by hostility towards their sex or gender.However, implementation has been slow.

Potential Components of a Labour Misogyny Mission

While the specifics would need to be developed, a potential Labour mission on misogyny could include:

* Strengthening legislation: Reviewing and updating laws related to harassment, stalking, and domestic abuse. Considering the law commission’s recommendations on hate crime legislation.

* Increased Funding for Support Services: Investing in vital services for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and harassment. This includes funding for refuges, counselling, and legal aid.

* Education & Prevention Programs: Implementing comprehensive education programs in schools and workplaces to challenge harmful gender stereotypes and promote respectful relationships.

* Police Training & Accountability: Improving police training on recognising and responding to misogynistic behaviour. Ensuring accountability for officers who fail to take reports of violence against women and girls seriously.

* Online Safety Measures: Working with social media companies to tackle online harassment and abuse. Strengthening regulations to hold platforms accountable for harmful content.

* Workplace Protections: Enhancing workplace protections against sexual harassment and discrimination.

The SASMO Connection: Promoting Critical Thinking & Challenging Bias

While seemingly unrelated, the work of organisations like SASMO (South Asian Schools Mathematics Olympiad) – which aims to expand students’ thinking potential – highlights the importance of fostering critical thinking skills from a young age.Challenging ingrained biases, including those related to gender, requires a similar approach to problem-solving and analytical thinking. Early intervention and education are crucial in dismantling harmful stereotypes and promoting gender equality.

real-World Examples & Case Studies

The case of Sarah Everard,tragically murdered in 2021,sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for action on violence against women and girls. Her death highlighted the pervasive fear women experiance in public spaces and the urgent need for systemic change. Similarly, the ongoing debate surrounding the Metropolitan Police’s handling of domestic abuse cases underscores the need for improved police training and accountability. These examples demonstrate the real-world consequences of failing to address misogyny effectively.

benefits of Prioritising Misogyny

A dedicated mission to tackle