Harriet Harman parks up her "patronising" pink bus to talk to Nappy Valley women

Time to talk: The politicians discussed problems facing women 

Deputy leader of the Labour Party Harriet Harman MP popped into Asda, Battersea, to speak to female staff with MPs Diane Abbott and Gloria De Piero.

The 16-seater van, that has been criticised for being “patronising” and “sexist”, parked up in Lavender Hill, near Clapham Junction.

The vehicle is touring the country, stopping at 70 constituencies, as part of Labour’s Woman to Woman campaign.

When asked how people had responded to the campaign so far Miss Harman said: "Totally positive. People want to have their say. They are interested that we are coming to them and reaching out to them."

When questioned about the controversial colour of the bus Ms De Piero said: "It's the Labour Party colour."

While Miss Harman added: "This is part of our Labour colours. This is a strong pink and there's no worry about our identification here.

"None of us are about girls having fewer choices, lacking confidence or fitting in with stereotypes.

"We fought against that all of us - all of our lives. So don't be deterred by some people who are making the colour the issue."

Asked if they would do it again given the mickey-taking Ms De Piero said: "Yes definitely".

The campaign is aimed at promoting Labour’s commitments to women including childcare, social care, tackling domestic violence, equal pay and political representation.

Miss Harman said: "The first point is about the fact that we are listening and in touch. Later on before the election Yvette Cooper is going to be making a big announcement about what is going to be in our manifesto about domestic violence.

"It's very important to hear from the people who didn't think there was any point in voting.

"There was a woman here, her sister was in day care. She was disabled and her sister lives with her.

"Actually to have a government that backs up people with disabilities that is absolutely important - but she didn't think there was any point voting.

"So we've got to really understand and reach out to people.

"It's really a despairing thing to think there's no point. People are entitled to have confidence that we are listening and that we do understand their lives."

There are currently 148 female MPs, out of a total 650 members of parliament.

Miss Harman added: “Labour continues to lead on women’s representation in parliament. Eight out of twelve of our candidates in key seats in the capital being women."

Think pink: Hackney MP Diane Abbott wore pink on the day 

Female members of Asda staff raised concerns about childcare costs, looking after a family and one woman told the story of her sister who was afraid to tell colleagues of her pregnancy for fear of losing out on a promotion.

Battersea's Labour parliamentary candidate Will Martindale also attended the event and said: "It's about childcare costs, it's housing costs, it's transport, it's the pressure on primary school places.

Local support: Battersea MP candidate Will Martindale joined the team 

"We've got some parents unable to get their children into first second or even third choice of school round here - that can make it quite a challenge to have a family in London."

For more on May's general election visit www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/generalelection2015