As for the comment that unions are dominated by men I despair. UNISON here in the North West has 200,000 members and 72% are women - with the vast majority of our senior elected positions also held by women.

We are proud to organise and represent the workers who keep our communities together. Teaching assistants , cleaners , carers , nurses , social workers , school catering staff , school crossing patrols and many , many more essential jobs.

We are also proud to negotiate on their behalf and proud to be recognised as their friend at work. Trade unions also have a great record in assisting our members to return to learn and improve their skills - a record acknowledged by thousands of employers in the UK.

But unions do more than this. We campaign for a fairer society , for equal opportunities , for better health and safety at work and in defence of the NHS.

Most sensible employers recognise the value of dealing with an organised , progressive trade union on a day to day basis to improve the workplace and an organisation's service efficiency.

Most sensible members of the Labour Party understand the past , present and future relationship that our party has and will have with organised labour.

If Blue Labourite needs any more information about trade unions - and there is plenty - or their current grown up affiliation to the Labour Party just ask a man or woman who knows. The alternative is to carry on reading the Daily Mail.