Union leader says Theresa May should stop wearing high heels now she's running the country

(PA)

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.

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.