'May should stop wearing high heels now'
by Tom Peck
Theresa May should 'finally set an example we can be proud of' and
wear flat shoes instead of her trademark kitten heels to this year's
Tory Party Conference and beyond, according to the leaders of a trade
union campaign.
The TUC conference in Brighton is backing a new law to ban women from
being forced to wear high heels in the workplace, and have asked the
Prime Minister to support it.
 The campaign began when 27-year-old temporary receptionist Nicola
Thorp was sent home from work for wearing flat shoes. The damaging
effects of high heels on the feet and the back are well documented.
As many as 145,000 people have since signed a petition calling for a
government inquiry and a debate in Parliament on the campaign.
Penny Robinson from the GMB Union, who took off her high heels before
making her speech, said:
"We now have someone running the country who can set an example for
the rest of us by making a point of wearing sensible shoes.
"When Theresa May became Conservative leader and Prime Minister, I
expected to read analysis of her policies, her priorities, and her
approach to Brexit.
"Instead, most of the newspapers concentrated on her love of shoes
and extensive shoe collection.
"Our new Prime Minister may be well known for her leopard print
kitten heels, her leather boots and her Jimmy Choos, but, if she really
wants to advance the cause for women in the workplace there are two
things she can do.
"The first is to make a point of wearing pumps, flats and comfortable
shoes for Cabinet, for PMQs and for meeting all those EU leaders.
"Let the media see that you can be the most powerful woman in the
country - maybe the second after Frances O'Grady (TUC general secretary)
- without needing to wear designer shoes to meet men's expectations.
"For once, set an example we can actually be proud of."
Ms May, who in her appearance on Desert Island Discs chose as her
luxury item 'a lifetime subscription to Vogue' is not expected to heed
the TUC's advice.
- The Independent |
