Paper Monitor
09:08 UK time, Wednesday, 19 December 2007
A service highlighting the riches of the daily press.
Never let it be said that the Daily Mail is stinting in its serious coverage of female politicians.
On page 22 and 23 it dedicates much space to Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly. Is it an analysis of the data so unfortunately lost in Iowa, you ask. No, it is an analysis of Ms Kelly's haircuts and fashion sense over the past 10 years.
The accompanying text from sketchwriter Quentin Letts might provoke a wince or two.
"In the Commons that recent day she cast a smouldering glance at the woflish (sic) Darling. Her lips were assembled into something almost resembling a pout."
But the Mail outdoes even this just two pages later under the headline "Battle lines are drawn for Hillary". Apparently Hillary Clinton is more wrinkled now than in 1993. The pictures prove it. The 60-year-old's "eyelids drooped" and she has "deep furrows" in an "unflattering photo". Perhaps readers might like to see a of a 59-year-old called Paul.
Elsewhere in the papers there are harsh words for the Police Community Support Officers, that most unloved of public sector servants. They are to receive the full backdated pay rise, unlike their colleagues in the police.
The Sun refers to them as "plastic police" (note the use of quotemarks), while the Daily Express goes for a headline where they are plastic bobbies (note the lack of quotemarks).
No festive cheer there then.
The 
