In the U.S. the powerful critics of austerity such as Paul Krugman and Robert Reich rightly identify the decline of 'labor' as a problem, and renewing trade unionism part of the solution. Our opportunity is to make the same case in the UK.

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

The UK has a poor investment record. According to IMF data, we have come seventh out of the top seven industrialised countries since 1999.

A business is good if it gives a decent day's reward for a decent day's work, treats people decently, and gives them a voice at the top.

Of course, no-one thinks the EU is perfect. In recent years, the pace of social reform has slowed. But staying in offers the chance to rebuild a vision of Europe for workers, regardless of the passport they hold.

Governments of all stripes want to deliver growth and rebalance their economies now that they have learned the hard way that, left to their own devices, markets pick expensive banking losers.

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