BRITAIN, like all Europe, is in crisis. It suffers from grotesque inequality, long-term decline in working-class living standards and failing public services. These have delegitimised traditional ruling parties and fuel a rising far right.

This has profound implications for women’s rights. A “progressive” liberal ideology seeking to address problems — from climate change to social inequalities of sex and race — within the framework of globalised capitalism is in retreat. Unashamedly reactionary politics is replacing it: climate-denialist, racist, misogynist.

Women’s rights are under threat. So are the processes liberal states have used to measure social progress: the Trump administration’s war on “diversity, equality and inclusion” policies cascades down through US-owned transnational corporations and mobilises right-wing politicians worldwide.