The TUC's new slogan 'a future that works' sets a profound challenge. Austerity and rapid deficit reduction is failing in its own terms, but even at its best it is short-sighted, muddle-through politics with no vision of a new economic model.

There is this sense of David Cameron leading a Government that's badly out of touch with ordinary people's lives. I'd absolutely welcome the opportunity to show all political leaders what life is like for most people.

You just wish sometimes that people would treat you like a human being rather than seeing your gender first and who you are second.

I am a feminist and I have no problems being called that.

I do know what it's like to worry about bills, I do know what it's like to worry about even finding a child-minder, never mind paying them.

I think being a mother helps keep your feet on the ground. There's very little dignity in parenthood. It's a great leveller.

As long as the number one worry for people, keeping them up at nights, is whether they're going to have a job in the morning, then they are less likely to resist unfair changes, or unfair treatment, or cuts in real pay at work.