If continental politics is anything to go by, it's goodbye power suits and hello power hair. Take a look at the new, female-dominated, Spanish Cabinet - or rather, take a look at their hair. Cristina Garmendia, Science Minister, wears a full-bodied, golden highlighted, cascade of fluffy layers. Carme Chacón, Defence Minister, has tresses to rival a Hollywood A-lister. Mercedes Cabrera, Education Minister, emulates the typical southern Europe style: big, black and bouncy, and in need of taming on wild nights. The message is clear: prim bobs get you nowhere in Spanish politics.

A few hundred miles east and, if Silvio Berlusconi lacks a little on top, his Forza babes make up for it in follicles, flounce and finesse. Mara Carfagna, a former model and potential new Minister for the Family, has glossy locks that scintillate to precisely the same extent as her sparkly low-cut tops. Stefania Prestigiacomo, a candidate for Minister of European Affairs, leads the mane march with a Faye Dunaway-inspired, expertly layered fountain of honeyed tresses. It's wash-and-go with a good spritz of glamour.

Even in France, where decorum and chic-over-cheap may appear to jar with the flamboyance of Italian style, the hair is still long and lustrous. Ségolène Royal likes nothing more than flicking out her brunette locks above the sharp curve of her shoulder pad; strength, for her, is in length. And lest we forget la première dame, Nicolas Sarkozy's new wife embodies the spirit of youth and political vigour - and could do no such thing with a barnet like Margaret Thatcher's.

And with that thought, dare we take a closer look to home? Where female politicians in continental Europe take their cue from Samson, the UK looks instead to Pauline Fowler. Tessa Jowell and Harriet Harman's sort-of bobs remind us of a wet weekend in Weston-super-Mare. And why does Yvette Cooper insist on taking a picture of her husband's hair with her every time she heads to the salon?

We need more women in the Cabinet

Britain and the rest of the world should learn fromBerlusconi and Spain, where more than half the new Cabinet are women

According to the Times hair expert, Hari Salem: “Women in this country have their hair done too prim and bouffy. When this happens it looks naff, and draws neg-ative comparisons with Maggie Thatcher and the Duchess of Cornwall.

“On the Continent, they sex it up. In France, Spain and Italy, the women have voluptuous hair; it's more about big hair and the blow-dry, rather than tidy haircuts. Their look is just-come-out-of-the-salon. Here, that look is frowned upon.”

For now. If continental power locks begin to tickle the fancy on home shores, female politicians and professionals alike may - just may - postpone their regular trims. If long hair is totemic for sexiness and success, then take it from us, Tessa, Harriet and Jacqui: it's time to throw off the shackles of helmet hair with one swift toss of the locks!

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