WE were given the regulation Mount Carmel uniform: a chemise made of the roughest, coarse fabric, a pair of hand me down, shapeless pants, a baggy skirt and an old jumper to wear on top. Someone glanced at our feet to make a rough guess at our shoe size and rummaged around in a huge box of old lace up shoes to find something that would fit. Mine had big patches of mismatched leather on them where someone had clearly worn them right through.

The Folletting of Labour became the chief sideshow of the 1992 general election, as one made over MP after another was "outed" by the press. Jack Cunningham, Harriet Harman, and, most spectacularly, Robin Cook, whose Pauline conversion to autumnal shades so delighted the media, were Folletted out of all recognition. "Browns and oysters," chirruped the newly glamorous Cook.

My children have always been vitally important. I want to give my kids a better future. I want to buy my daughter her first car at 17.". With the