Are women the new political power force?
The political earthquake keeps on rumbling. Not only has Britain voted narrowly to leave the EU - sparking financial and political tumult across the globe - but those seemingly most likely to pick up the pieces are largely women.
Never before have female politicians stood in such a pole position to assume the reins of power.
For the first time it is not inconceivable that we will soon have a female US president and possibly vice president too ; at the same time we may be about to have our second female British prime minister who may well be facing a female Leader of the Opposition.
If Scotland breaks away from the United Kingdom, it is almost certain that it too would be led by a woman with another heading up its official opposition.
Germany, of course, is already run by a formidable woman, chancellor Angela Merkel, who is known to have been a role-model for many females now rising up in politics in her wake.
We may be therefore about to witness the biggest stride ever for the feminist movement, heralding a new era in world politics. Until now, government has been a macho, male-dominated world - its leaders, officials, MPs and even media commentators have been overwhelmingly men; its style has been barracking, football-obsessed and tribal.
Now at last, we may be about to witness a new style of government and possibly even a new way of reporting on it. It is a gigantic opportunity for the women involved and millions of other women will be watching and hoping they make the most of it.
Hillary Clinton
What next? She throws everything she’s got against Republican opponent Donald Trump, but he may prove hard to beat in the upcoming presidential election.
Power and Influence: 8/10 because she’s widely seen as smart and serious. That could rise to10/10 if she becomes first US president after this November’s election, but winning is not guaranteed.
Experience: 9/10 She’s been First Lady, New York state senator and Secretary of State.
Popularity: 5/10 She’s won the Democrat nomination but is nevertheless a divisive candidate even in her own party. Many find her cold and calculating and lacking in empathy.
Secret Weapon: After America’s first black president, many think it’s high time to have a female one.
Theresa May
Position: Currently Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party.
What next? She is attempting sort out the mess post the Brexit result in the EU referendum. She's currently meeting with EU leaders as she battles for a fair 'divorce deal' for Britain.
Power and Influence: 8/10 May was the longest-lasting Home Secretary in living memory and has rarely put a foot wrong. She's only the second woman in history to occupy 10 Downing Street. She is seen as committed and serious. She backed Remain in the referendum but was careful not to become too closely associated with the campaign.
Experience: 7/10 Six years in charge of the Home Office, which includes the police, security and border control, is a tough gig for anyone. Few survive beyond a couple of years. She is seen as a wily but trustworthy negotiator.
Popularity: 5/10 She’s admired but rarely loved. She also annoyed her colleagues some years ago by describing the Tories as the Nasty Party. She is known however for supporting other women in their careers and is a self-proclaimed feminist.
Secret Weapon: Theresa is being praised for listening to what the people actually want. She's very intelligent and realises regardless of the popularity of the result, 17 million people voted for Brexit and she has to give the public what they want.
Nicola Sturgeon
Position: Leader of the Scottish Nationalists, First Minister of Scotland, the first woman to hold either position.
What next? She will use the Brexit vote as an excuse to call for a second independence referendum in Scotland, two years after the SNP lost the first. Many believe she will win it this time because of the popularity of the EU north of the border. There is, however, no certainty that Scotland will be able to cling on to its membership of Europe. It may still be forced to reapply to join.
Power and Influence: 9/10 Her personal impact goes way beyond Scotland to the rest of the UK, where she has been hailed as the second most powerful woman across the whole country. She is an adept campaigner and confident media performer who puts many Westminster politicians in the shade.
Experience: 8/10 She became unopposed party leader after the failed 2014 referendum, and has held many other senior positions in her party and been a member of the Scottish Parliament since 1999.
Popularity: 9/10 Such has been the SNP’s success in Scotland under her leadership it holds 63 out of 129 seats in the Scottish parliament, and 56 out of 59 in Westminster.
Personally she is seen as ambitious, hard-working but also personable with a broad appeal.
Secret Weapon: A supportive husband and family who are devoted Scot Nats, and an image make-over from which she emerged slimmed down and dressed up in chic suits.
Angela Eagle
Position: Recently stepped down as shadow business secretary in a bid to topple controversial Jeremy Corbyn from the Labour leadership. She then dropped out of the leadship race backing Owen Smith, who was defeated in the vote.
What next? She is still the MP for Wallasey and recently gave an impromtu outdoor speech in Liverpool city centre about the future of the party. She was talking about "how it's really important to put our minds to the big issues of the day."
Power and Influence: 8/10 She is said to enjoy a ‘broad span’ power base across the party from the soft left to the Blairite wing. Tough and no-nonsense, she has even been compared with her namesake Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany.
Experience: 6/10 She has been an MP since 1992 and served in senior positions under three Labour leaders since then. She was briefly pensions minister under Gordon Brown, and was shadow chief secretary to the Treasury under Ed Miliband.
Popularity: 8/10 Angela was hailed for her performances in the Commons when she stood in for Corbyn at Prime Minister’s Question Time. She performed less well, though, during the debates on the EU referendum.
Secret Weapon: Seen as personable and unthreatening, Eagle stands out as a possible ‘unity’ candidate perhaps uniquely capable of bringing Labour’s membership, MPs and leadership together when the party is racked with division and intrigue.
Angela Merkel
Position: 10/10 Chancellor of Germany
What next? She has to balance her desire to help refugees with the tricky challenge of quelling anti-EU and anti-immigration sentiment within her own country.
Power and Influence: 10/10 She may be losing a little ground but she is still ranked as the unofficial leader of Europe and a twenty-first century iron lady.
Experience: 10/10 She has been the first female head of government in Germany since she took power in 2005 and she has been leader of the Christian Democrat Union party since 2000.
Popularity: 8/10 Germans refer to her as Mother, she plays a key part in national life but there is increasing muttering about her hold on power.
Secret Weapon: An unflappable nature, a clear brain, an impressive presence and an irreproachable private life.
Ruth Davidson
Position: Leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
What next? Building up her party’s support north of the border, and possibly replacing Labour as the party of opposition to the SNP. She will fight against Scottish independence, being totally in favour of retaining the union with England.
Power and Influence: 8/10 Although still in her thirties, Ruth has made an impact across the UK and shone during the referendum campaign on the Remain side. She is now touted as a possible one-day UK Conservative leader.
Experience: 5/10 She’s been a member of the Scottish Parliament since 2011 and was almost immediately voted in as Scottish Tory leader. She was previously a signaller in the Territorial Army.
Popularity: 10/10 Dubbed the ‘people’s Tory’ she is even popular in the hardline working class districts of Glasgow – an astonishing feat for a Conservative politician. People like the fact that she sounds like a normal, well-rounded human being.
Secret Weapon: Openly gay, approachable and astute, she has cross-party appeal well beyond the traditional Conservative core vote.
