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

Would I describe myself as new Labour? I'm Labour, organised Labour. I think labels have a limited use and that's where you really get into boy stuff sometimes, just sticking on labels.

I worry that some politicians still think we are living in the 1950s where the man is the main breadwinner and the woman works for pin money. Actually, most families where there are two parents depend on two incomes to get by.

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

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.

I want a society that provides decent jobs for those who can work and decent security for those can't.

When I look at my daughter, who's 24, she is much more confident than I ever was and her expectations are higher. But I worry that there is a backlash brewing against progress on equality.