Labour's policy to extend maternity leave entitlement to 52 weeks will add to women's woes in the workplace and not help families either, says Atticus. The Tories proposals stand up much better to scrutiny.

Labour's plan has brought great concern to many – Nicola Brewer, chief executive of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission being one of them – for the simple reason that it's going to be even more likely that employers will descriminate against women. Many employers will think twice before employing a women they think may become pregnant.

The Tories, on the other hand, follow the Swedish line (and display, in this case, a better understanding of developments in our society) that it should really be up to the family how to decide who takes parental leave. They too would offer 52 weeks' parental leave, but only the first 14 would automatically apply to the mother. Beyond that, the parents can make that decision between them – which would also give employers less cause to discriminate against women in the workplace.