Hair talk today will hopefully be all gone by tomorrow

Can we please just agree now that we’ve reached peak interest in the hair/shoes of world leaders and move on?

For those of us who never had any interest in Theresa May/Hillary Clinton’s hairstyles or footwear in the first place, it has all been thoroughly depressing.

Many commentators are now referring to pobs (political bobs, should you ever need to communicate such to your hairdresser) as though hair is somehow relevant to politics. Really? Is this a reflection of the level of political engagement on the streets? I don’t think so.

As my regular reader knows, I embrace frivolity and trivia but I must admit to having zero interest in whether the Prime Minister favours a kitten heel. I confess I may show a passing interest if Jeremy Corbyn took to wearing leopard print kitten heels but even then, I’d probably get over it quite quickly.

I don’t remember quite so much scrutiny of David Cameron’s Barnet when he took office – although Margaret Thatcher’s “helmet” hair was much derided during and after her time as PM.

A search for mention of Nicola Sturgeon’s hair shows one of the most Googled questions about the First Minister is “Does Nicola Sturgeon wear a wig?” No was the answer.

Unfortunately, we can’t lay all the blame for this obsession on good old-fashioned sexism, because of course there’s the Trump card to be played. I honestly don’t know where to start with Donald Trump’s hair but I will admit it holds its own fascination.

These powerful women cannot win. If they look like they’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards, they are criticised for not making an effort. If they make an effort, they risk being seen as too frivolous.

But really, do we honestly care? Come on. Let’s all get over it and move on.

Lucy Penman