When I first started working in Westminster I was invited to dinner with a cabinet minister, his advisers and another reporter. Of the group of five I was the only woman and the only one who had been to state school.

During the dinner I was treated like a novelty. My handbag was critiqued, the contents examined, my shoes and dress discussed. At the time I laughed along, desperate not to cause a fuss and keen to build a reputation as someone who could take a joke. But looking back it wasn’t friendly banter. It was designed to show me that I didn’t fit – I didn’t have the right bag or shoes. It made me feel small.

Listening to Angela Rayner talk about the criticism she has received for dancing in the DJ booth of a club in Ibiza over the summer made me think about that dinner again.

Reflecting on the response to the clip the Housing Secretary said: “I’m always concerned to make sure that I prove my worth because people often criticise my background and say ‘is she qualified to do........

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