Yesterday, ITV Tweeted a a clip of an interview with Theresa May. In it, ITV journalist Julie Etchingham repeatedly asked the Prime Minister what she would do on International Women's Day to 'let her hair down'.

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May, rather typically, avoided the question, instead pointing to all the work that needs to be done for equality, specifically in this case, working on domestic abuse rates in the UK.

Now, obviously, May is not always the most charismatic of leaders, and people jumped at the opportunity to mock the 'awkward' nature of their exchange.

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However, does our willingness to see May fail, and the question posed to her in and of itself, betray a worse problem than May's lack of charm? Namely sexism?

Whatever one thinks of her policies, we must wonder whether a male politician would be asked, repeatedly, about letting his hair down with the girls (or boys).

Similarly, would his answer be put under as much scrutiny?

Lest we forget, May has been burned badly before. Fields of wheat anyone?

Yes that particular debacle was hi-lar-ious, but it also was a steep learning curve for May. Largely that attempts to appear personable are futile because the pubic seemingly does not buy into it.

May, like other female leaders before her, is in a damned-if-she-does and damned-if-she-doesn't predicament. Act driven and goal-orientated and she's cold and awkward, act vulnerable and honest and she's weak or even branded a fake.

Judging professional women on their likability and personability is an easy thing to do, but is a trap we, as feminists, should avoid. Instead, let us scrutinise the content of her actions, so as to have an effective leadership and to ensure more women enter the world of politics.

And, perhaps we should be thankful that May is not particularly good at these PR theatrics. Remember what happens when you have a head-of-state who knows how to get good ratings?

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Daisy Murray
Digital Fashion Editor

Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.