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Miriam González Durántez’s Theresa May interview misses the mark on Today

This week the Today show is being edited by a selection of guests including Sir Bradley Wiggins, Lord Browne and the architect David Adjaye. The Welsh actor Michael Sheen kicked proceedings off on Monday when he managed to upset a number of flood victims as he dismissed calls to cut foreign aid in order to spend more on flood defences at home as a’false dichotomy’.

Today it was the turn of Miriam González Durántez — the high-flying lawyer who is married to Nick Clegg — to take the helm. Durántez — who had presenters in a spin last week over whether it was okay to refer to her as Nick Clegg’s wife — gave her edit a distinctly feminist focus as she looked at topics that touch on the Inspiring Women campaign she runs. As well as a reading from Gloria Steinem, praise for Hillary Clinton and James Blunt talking about sensitivity, she even secured an interview with one of Parliament’s most powerful women; Theresa May.

So, what did she choose to put to May during the Home Secretary’s rare appearance on the Today show? Well, during the meeting of the Sisterhood they discussed an array of topics including shoes, underlining briefs, May’s husband, Miriam’s husband and leadership ambitions.

The interview was led by a giggling Miriam who kicked the interview off with a discussion on scrutiny that comes from being in the public eye:

MD: You obviously like shoes, so do I. I actually think I think better in high heels — it’s not only that I like them. Does it really bother you when people pick on that? I understand why, but does it bother you in relation to girls and women who may be thinking about getting into politics and may be a bit put off by the fact, they would be looking at absolutely everything — what they’re wearing, not only what they’re thinking

TM: I think that often what puts some women off is the intrusion into the private life that can come with being in politics but I think there’s a wider issue which is about young girls today.

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