Many women who succeed in politics remain single. Mowlam married late and has no children of her own but she enjoys being with her husband and his children from his first marriage. During her Ministry in Northern Ireland she had to be away from her family for long periods - she stresses the importance of keeping home and work life in balance.

 "you make sure you have a hinterland, you make sure you have something else in life that is important. I don't have children but I have stepchildren which I think is probably the best of both worlds. I didn't have to bring them up and worry about dentists or school uniforms but I had the pleasure of them and I enjoy going to the cinema with my husband and …you have to make yourself as normal as possible because if not you become addicted to politics and forget what life is about and what other people are thinking."