Last Week in Downing Street: Theresa May's final days as Prime Minister

Theresa May's three years as Prime Minister came to an end this week. Bowing out in supreme style, here's a recap of her week.

On Tuesday, May hosted her final Cabinet meeting at Number 10 alongside a number of other meetings. She wore her navy Military Knotch jacket from Daniel Blake with navy trousers and kitten heels.

And for her final day as Prime Minister, May returned to the classics. She wore her cobalt blue Orchid suit from the legendary Daniel Blake. May teamed it with her trusted pair of velvet leopard Kitty heels from Charlotte Olympia, and and oversized necklace.

There is much discussion about her bracelet - is it really Margaret Thatcher's much-loved stone bracelet that was recently sold at auction for £40,000? An iconic message if so.

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Thursday saw May take a very well deserved day off to attend the cricket at Lords. May wore a summery Piazza Sempione patterned top and skirt, a Ballsmania necklace from Mirta Bijoux - and some seriously chic oversized sunglasses.

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Lady Sarah Thatcher designs a new range of handbags

Previous Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was synonymous for her love of handbags, and like the Queen, was never seen without one.

Her daughter in law, Lady Sarah Thatcher has recently designed a range of handbags for Luxury Promise. Whilst most have sold out, a few designs are still available to purchase.

The colourful range of keyrings, purses and bags start at an affordable £95 and advance to nearly £5000 for some exotic items. Constructed from crocodile and ostrich, these pieces are absolutely classic- and all have a fresh, modern twist.

The Royal Blue Crocodile Clutch is one of my favourite designs- and still available! The Grey purse is also still available to buy, and will bring a touch of luxury to your everyday routine.

For more details on the line visit Luxury Promise - but be quick!

The New Iron Lady? Theresa May Most Popular Prime Minister Since Thatcher

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Polls are a funny thing, but still pretty fascinating to read. A new poll out today suggests that Theresa May is perceived to be doing a better job than any Prime Minister of the last 20 years. The findings are attributed to Opinium Research in partnership with Polling Matters, the independent, non-partisan political podcast. Two out of every five UK adults (39%) rated the current Prime Minister as doing a good job.

Only Margaret Thatcher was more likely to be perceived as having done a ‘good job’ by the UK public, according to the new research (40%). While Gordon Brown had the smallest percentage of the public saying he did a ‘good job’ (13%), he is less polarizing than Tony Blair who is seen as having done a ‘bad job’ by nearly half of the population (49%).

Adam Drummond, Opinium Research said: “Theresa May retains her strong ratings with far more saying she is doing a good job than bad. However, as a still relatively new prime minister, she benefits from the fact that the end result of her actions is still undetermined and the judgement of history is, understandably, not in yet.

What’s also interesting is how loyal Conservative voters are to Margaret Thatcher and, to a lesser extent, David Cameron, giving both strong ratings. In contrast, current Labour voters are more likely to say that Tony Blair and Gordon Brown underperformed in No 10. That said, current Labour voters are quite different to those who last voted Labour into government.”

Keiran Pedley, Polling Matters said: “These results show that despite still dividing opinion Margaret Thatcher has a stronger reputation than those succeeding her as Prime Minister. Yet, for now at least, Theresa May is seen as more popular among the public and marginally so among Tory voters.

Arguably the more interesting story here is how Labour voters take a comparatively dimmer view of their past Prime Ministers than Conservative voters, which perhaps reflects the changing nature of the Labour vote over time but is surely something for the Party to ponder as it plots a route back to power.”

The new Prime Minister's stylish first week

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UK politics has experienced a seismic shift over the past month. The decision to leave the EU in the referendum caused a change of Government and our second female Prime Minister- Theresa May.

The new Prime Minister has been in office a little over a week. She's picked her new Cabinet, visited Scotland, Wales, Germany and France as well as answering her first Prime Minister's Questions. I was in the gallery in the Commons Chamber for the latter, and believe me, it was as explosive in real life as it looked on the TV.

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I was asked by German news outlet Deustche Welle to comment on Theresa May's sense of style, a question which I have been asked quite alot recently. A common response from people is 'Oh, that's a sexist thing to be asking,' or 'You wouldn't be commenting if the Prime Minister was a man.' Maybe we wouldn't, but there would still be an interest in their personality, what they enjoy to do in their private time and with much probability, an interest in what clothes their spouse or partner was wearing.

Personality forms a big part of our modern political environment. The dominance of the 24 hour news cycle, social media and blogs like this one have all pushed this interest, and consequently, we all want to know everything about our elected officials and their families.

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Take Theresa May. She's interesting because we don't know too much about her. In her campaign launch speech she said she is a 'hard worker, [who] doesn't tour Parliament's bars and doesn't wear her heart on her sleeve.' We heard a little about her family and more about her record as Home Secretary. During her time as Conservative Party Chair and Home Secretary what we did find out was her love of fashion, and in particular shoes. She's partial to a bit of leopard, a good handbag and oversized necklaces. Russell & Bromley is one of her favourite places to shop and a Conservative Party donor once paid £17,500 to go on a shoe shopping trip with her. So lucky! Her choice of an Amanda Wakeley outfit as she entered No 10 will be iconic for many reasons, with the pop of neon sunshine yellow on a traditional navy dress and coat a sign of optimistic change.

Theresa May will be expected to and will deliver on the commitment to British fashion during her premiership. Attention on this side of her role will be greater than her female predecessor Margaret Thatcher, who was known to wear her now iconic suits and pussy bow blouses from British designers such as Burberry and Aquascutum. May has already shown her love of UK fashion, with her Black Watch tartan two piece Vivienne Westwood making many headlines. Similarly, her choice of sparkly Russell & Bromley loafers (of which I own a pair,) has demonstrated her playful side and reconfirms that you can be a powerful, professional woman and have fun at the same time.

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Whether they freely admit it or not, many working women will be closely watching what Theresa May wears. Her choices will be scrutinised more than ever, and there will be a demand to know what she's wearing and who it is by. This change brings great opportunity for bloggers like myself, and you can expect regular posts and analysis throughout May's time in office as well as exploring the sartorial choices of other female members of the Prime Minister's government.

There's not been a more exciting time to follow the powerful and stylish worlds of politics and fashion. With Theresa May as Prime Minister in the UK, Angela Merkel as Chancellor in Germany and the possibility of Hillary Rodham Clinton as President in the USA, women are truly in charge.

Here's what the Prime Minister wore this week...

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Scotland: navy cardigan coat and trousers; white cami top; patent red shoes from LK Bennett.

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Wales: red dress; white cardigan jacket; LK Bennett x Issa Parrot pumps.

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Prime Minister's Questions and Germany: navy tailored skirt suit; white cami top; LK Bennett leopard pumps.

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France: black dress and tailored jacket; oversized chain necklace, LK Bennett x Issa Parrot pumps. 

If you want to score a little May style, then these navy and neon yellow trim pants from Amanda Wakeley are currently on sale!

Margaret Thatcher Christie's Auction

Last week, auction house Christie's played host to perhaps the hotly anticipated sale of the year. Items from the collection of Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of the UK went under the hammer, with the sale netting £4.5 million- nine times its original estimate.

One of my guilty pleasures is looking at auction catalogues, and perhaps from time to time, placing a bid or two. There were some great and truly unique items up for auction, and for many individuals, this would be the only opportunity to own a piece of political history.

Here are some of the highlights from the collection:

Prime Minister's Despatch Box: £242,500

Signed note: £37,500

Chanel Handbag and Scarf: £22,500

Chaumet Set: £12,500

Three Strand Pearl Necklace: £32,500

House of Lords Robes: £81,700

View the lots from the sale here.