A study carried out by jobs and networking site womenintechnology has found that female IT workers think that Margaret Thatcher is the best leader ever.

Yeah, ever! In your face Blair! And you Fern, and your gastric band!

More women (well, six anyway) cited Maggie than any other leader, but dotted around the voting audience were some other niche faves.

Boris Johnson got a couple of votes. The mysterious 'Clinton' - we like to think they meant George - had one. The Queen was in there, because, "She is a great leader and a wonderful mother. Her power is in her big smile and beautiful spirit."

Nelson Mandela had a few, but we liked the caveat in the one that added, "in spite of his womanising traits".

Lord Buddha will be pleased to know that he is in there, "not as a religious figure, but as a great leader". Chairman Mao can take some solace from all those bothersome genocide accusations with this plaudit: "He led the red army and changed a country."

And finally, and perhaps most importantly, TV fashion guru Gok Wan - a dream leader because "he wants others to feel good about themselves".

Author: David Neal

26 Sep 2008