By Hannah Rogers

The words 'politics' and 'style icon' are rarely put together. When we think of MPs we picture ill-fitted suits, dull shirts and comedy ties which could have been bought from the local charity shop bargain bin.

Most do not have the model looks or body to accompany a designer wardrobe and, for some, power does not bring style.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, was ranked fourth in GQ magazine's worst dressed list describing his style as, “Charlie Chaplin… with a touch of Laurel and Hardy, more Hardy then Laurel”.

The Boris fashion archive is bursting with style mishaps including Hawaiian beach shorts, head scarves and his cycling attire.

With his wild mop of hair and ‘I got dressed in the dark’ look there appears to be something almost adorable about Boris’ style.

His unusual ensembles and ‘that hair’ have won him unlikely admiration in the fashion world leading to an invitation to open London Fashion Week this February.

Boris was the unlikely candidate to be placed on the November 2009 front cover of Elle magazine to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of London Fashion Week.

Nobody appears as surprised at this unusual combination than the man himself, “Who would have expected me to grace an Elle cover?”

 Boris gets top marks for innovation and is by far the most well known politician for his fashion statements.

There is a distinct line between Gordon and Sarah Brown. She recently broke into the fashion scene staging a fashion show in collaboration with top model Naomi Campbell.

Mrs Brown has lifted her hem line and flowered from shrinking violet to a lady dressed in a bouquet of garments by top names and in sassy prints.

The First Lady held her own amongst the fashion industry big names at a range of parties, shows and events during London Fashion Week in February.

Many fashion critics have praised her for bringing fashion and politics together. However, there is an area still being neglected: her husband’s wardrobe.

Gordon Brown was named Britain’s worst dressed male by GQ in 2009 and was declared, “anything but a prime example of British style”.

Brown’s signature look, along with his bemused glaze, is a dark crumpled suit that leaves the fashion pack shuddering. 

When he became Prime Minister Brown was persuaded by his advisors to ditch his crumpled look for a more modern wardrobe.

He enlisted the help of Savile Row tailor Timothy Everest, the man behind David Beckham’s wedding suit, whose minimum charge is the tidy sum of £1,100. However, the costly help from stylists has resulted in Brown being pushed up to the top spot from third in 2008.

As with Brown, David Cameron’s wife Samantha has won praise for her wardrobe choices and innate style.

Whilst Cameron and Brown battle it out to become king at No.10 their wives are tightening their hold of their designer handbags for a battle of style.

The job of a MPs wife, or so it seems, is to look the part- feminine, strong and stylish. Samantha has this role perfected, stepping out in girly, floaty garments putting style back into politics.

Mr Cameron appears to be struggling to keep up with his wife’s new found style sense.

At a recent film premier Cameron took to the carpet in a bad black shirt, baggy jeans and ‘trendy’, lime green trainers leaving fashion critics reeling.

The Telegraph’s Style Director Hilary Alexander referred to this fashion faux pas as “not a good look” and branded Cameron “Mr Drab”.

His wardrobe echoes that of his policies; unclear and confusing. Perhaps Samantha should grab him by his oversized shirt and march him down to the nearest Paul Smith for a outfit that oozes confidence and style.

The Lib Dems leader Nick Clegg is the most fashion savvy of our men of power. His dress down look usually includes a v neck jumper harboring a crisp shirt with one button undone or as some might say smart/casual.

There are no fashion boundaries being broken but Clegg neither does not try too hard. It achieves a simple, clean and effective look.

Male MPs are not the only fashion sinners who grace the leather benches of the Commons. There is a certain lack of fashion statements from the female representatives. This male dominated world seems to have left its mark on female MPs' wardrobes.

There are 125 female MPs out of 646 seats and in a man’s world the way to get yourself heard over the banter between parties is to dress the part. Some are successful while others fade in to the rows of large tummies covered by dull suits.

Last year, GQ magazine put MP Jacqui Smith in the ‘men’ category of their famous worst dressed list criticising her for her  masculine “white blazer and sensible haircut”.

However, her debut as Home Secretary was remembered largely for her low neckline, a look sported weeks later by Theresa May.  

The life of a female MP can be a struggle, balancing the life or an MP with that of a wife and mother. Fashion is some cases can be left at the bottom of the pile.

Boris on the front cover of Elle? Mr Brown posing for fashion paps at London Fashion Week? Could this be the beginning of the fashion/politics revolution?

Look out Westminster I feel a wave of style descending upon those green leather benches.