What (and Who) Not to Wear

Not so long ago the Conservative MP Anne Widdicombe was interviewed on Radio 4 concerning a poll amongst young people which had rated her as a more influential figure than Madonna.

Yesteday a new series of BBC1's "What not to Wear" (with new presenters) brought together a group of women, some similar in appearance to Ms Widdicombe, who had much younger male partners or husbands (as does Madonna).

Two of these women were duly selected for a "makeover". One emerged with what could only be described as "the New Labour look" for middle aged women, and might have progressed to "Faking It" (? Channel 4 Series) as a female cabinet minister.

It seems to me that life is as much about "who" as "what not to "wear". If partners, friends and colleagues make you feel uncomfortable about yourself , or your values, then it may well be time to say "Good Bye".

For this I admire Clare Short, who recently announced her decision to stand down as a Labour MP. Amongst the reasons for this were not only major policy differences with colleagues, but the "inefficiency" of the present administration.

This is a government which, after all, likes "dressing up". The prime minister's wife is now famous for her interest in (and expenditure on) "Fashion and Beauty". However, it is for a multitude of "policy makeovers" that New Labour will be remembered.