“You’re getting all weird about women again”

MY DAUGHTER comes into the kitchen from the sitting room, where she’s been watching Snog, Marry, Avoid, and asks me why there are so few women politicians.

I’m standing at the sink, looking at dirty saucepans and say, “domestic drudgery tends to vitiate a lively interest in world affairs, love.”

She says, “plain English mum.” I say, “women are all too busy loading dishwashers.”