ESTHER’S SILLY TICK- TOCK TALK

ESTHER MCVEY the new, g l a m o ro u s 4 6 - y e a r- o l d Employment Minister said last week she would love children but “I never found anyone to wind my biological clock.” Please.

This has to be the daftest comment of the week.

I don’t believe women go about choosing a partner, marrying and having a ch i l d just because someone has found the key to their biological timepiece.

That kind of pseudopsychological jargon is all very well to toss around the table at a get-together of female friends over a bottle of wine – but what does it really mean?

Esther is smart. A builder’s daughter from Liverpool she worked as a waitress in her student days, got a law degree and became a GMTV presenter b e fo r e going into politics.

And she’s happy with her life – despite not having a settled relationship.

“This is how I am. I’m happy with my friends, family and job. I love kids – I just haven’t got them myself.”

You know what ? That’s OK, Esther. You don’t need to apologise. Not every woman’s destiny is marriage and babies. It’s perfectly possible to find satisfaction in other w ay s – t hro u g h wo r k , friendships, travel and other relationships.

Unmarried aunties are a gift to every family. They have the time and energy to devote to children which busy parents often don’t have.

My closest friend and my s i s t e r- i n - l aw both had successful careers – and they are the best aunties and godmothers I know.

They are generous to a fault. They’ve made space and time to talk to and understand my sons as they grew up.

Both fiercely independent, they’ve had rich, varied lives.

You’d never hear either muttering about never finding the man to wind their biological clock. It’s claptrap, Esther. You’re a clever, attractive woman – get on with being Employment Minister, enjoy the moment and forget the ticking.