The Minister for Constitutional Affairs answers your questions, such as "Should the leadership be decided by gender?" and "Why do Labour women ministers look alike?"

Do you think that in 2007 the deputy leadership of the Labour Party should be decided by gender? Why not class background? DAVID RAMSDEN, London

Women are the majority of the population and should be at least half of the leadership. Everyone in the Labour Party fights inequality and injustice.

Gordon Brown has voted for everything that Tony Blair has. Why should we believe anything will be different if he takes over? RIAZ SIDDIQI, Birmingham

It depends on what you want to see change. I want to see a continuation of a strong economy, low unemployment and big investment in health and education. But Gordon is not identical to Tony - and we'll see that if, as I hope, he becomes leader.

Is it wise for Labour ministers to pick a fight with Muslim women over veils at a time when Muslim communities feel so alienated and picked on? TAMSIN MCCARTHY, Bradford

Most Muslim women don't wear the veil and object to others wearing it. It's a pity that there are no Muslim women in the House of Commons. Then they could lead the debate in Parliament. I don't think it's picking a fight to talk about the veil. But I am concerned that Muslims do feel vulnerable, and I do everything I can to fight against racism and Islamophobia.

As a feminist I think all forms of scarf or veil are symbols of female subjugation. Do you agree? NOURA HAMID, by e-mail

I support those Muslim women who assert they are good Muslims and who've fought against the imposition of the veil. To young women in this country who assert it's their choice to cover their face, I say it's a choice which will limit what you can do and is not a good one.

Why did you not speak out against the Attorney General's advice about the legality of the attack on Iraq? ROY ROEBUCK, by e-mail

Once an attorney general is appointed, a government has to take his advice. It can't shop around for legal advice. When the current attorney was appointed, everyone said what a good appointment he was, being both intellectually brilliant and totally honest.

Were you embarrassed when your husband, Jack Dromey, lifted the lid off the loans scandal? Were you tempted to kick him out, like Tessa Jowell did with her husband? GEOFF BROWN, Guildford

Jack did the right thing when he protested at the secret loans. Now the law has been changed and all Labour's fundraising is open and democratic, as it should be.

You say on your website that your political career developed out of your concerns for "feminism, civil liberties and social justice". How do you reconcile this with your support for ID cards? RAJU KHAN, London

It's about getting the balance right. Necessary measures balanced by strong human rights

You have clearly sold out in your quest for power. Do you think it is possible to be a senior politician and retain any principles? DAVID MOUNT, Sheffield

If you look at what I was saying 25 years ago it's the same as what I'm saying now. And much of what I was campaigning for we've done - the Human Rights Act, Freedom of Information Act, civil partnerships, national minimum wage, after-school clubs, longer maternity leave, new laws against domestic violence. Still much left to do, though ... I absolutely have not sold out. I'm still fighting.

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