Keir Starmer may still need to dispel perception of ‘boys’ club’

Keir Starmer, while not particularly ‘blokey’, has struggled to counter the narrative that male aides are in the ascendency at No 10. Photograph: Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street

Of all the criticisms levelled at Keir Starmer’s No 10 during the past few months, the one that seems to have stung the most is that he presides over a “boys’ club”.

A claim that “the lads” were in charge was made by the departing Labour MP Rosie Duffield, who had not seen eye to eye with her own party for a long time, referring to male political advisers whom she believed had been throwing their weight around.