WHEN I was a student I had a postcard on my wall of a billboard advert, featuring a pair of stockinged legs emerging from a giant egg. The words "Born Kicking" were sprayed across it, turning it into a feminist slogan.

I was reminded of that postcard when I saw Daily Mail's front page last week, with a picture of Prime Minister Theresa May and Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon sitting together under the headline "Never Mind Brexit, Who Won Legs-it!".

The newspaper was accused of sexism; focusing on the women's appearance rather than their meeting about the process that will see the UK leave the European Union.

The front page sparked widespread criticism, with some politicians and commentators saying we should be way beyond such representations of women, and that "Legs-it" trivialised a significant political event.

My gut reaction was pretty much the same. We're nearly two decades into the 21st century - why are two of our most powerful women being judged on the shapeliness of their legs?

Yes, it was lighthearted nonsense, and the Prime Minister herself called it "just a bit of fun" - but it leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. Would a picture of two high-ranking male ministers in suits and ties have prompted such a headline, and such scrutiny of a particular area of their body? Of course not.

It could be argued that both May and Sturgeon have undergone image makeovers since coming into positions of power, and that such close inspection of their clothes, shoes, hair, make-up and body language is par for the course for a woman in the public eye.

And, of course, men aren't immune to scrutiny and ridicule in the Press. Jeremy Corbyn has been criticised for all aspects of his appearance, from his choice of tie to his scruffy beard, David Cameron often came under fire for wearing the same blue T-shirt during 'downtime' from being PM, and Boris Johnson, it seems, is fair game when it comes to images of buffoonery.

And many of the placards brandished at anti-Trump women's marches ridiculed the American President's physical appearance.

Politicians have always fallen victim to caricature, from 18th century cartoons to Spitting Image. Where "Legs-it" crossed the line was focussing on women's sex appeal first, and political clout second. It shows that, despite all the advances made in sexual equality, some things haven't really moved on since those stockinged legs kicked out of an egg on that billboard three decades ago.

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