One understands why Ségolène Royal has fallen for the kitten heel. Reliable, elegant, this is the Ford Focus of footwear. The kitten heel represents a safe pair of hands, promising just enough of a lift to make a calf look slightly elongated and streamlined in photographs.

It’s cute without being too sexy, pointy without being dominatrix and has also, within living memory, been fashionable, thereby demonstrating the in-touch-with-the-common-herd instincts of those who wear it. Poor, height-challenged Sarko.

Except . . . in reality, the kitten heel doesn’t really cut it. For one thing, that miniaturised heel makes all but the most streamlined of calves look on the plumpish side. For another, its tiny dimensions often border on the twee, which makes it the opposite of a bona fide power shoe. Clearly a platform shoe is more powerful but putative female presidents don’t want to frighten the voters by appearing too empowered. Nor would it be appropriate for them to appear fashion-obsessed (hence the dearth of a YSL bondage sandal on the campaign trail). Yet partnered with the clunky masculine jackets that most politicians deem essential to their image, the kitten heel effect can be discombobulating, like watching Eddie Izzard perform in demi-drag.

And then there are the practicalities of the kitten heel.

While ostensibly built for comfort, since its height rarely exceeds 3 or 4cm, the kitten heel shoe is generally very narrow. The effect of continuous pressure on a bunion during a lengthy campaign trail can be lethal. Just imagine the devastating consequences that a picture of a grimacing Royal or Hillary Clinton could have between now and polling day. A Third Way in footwear is required. And fast. However, maybe after Sunday Royal will be able to slip them off.

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