Imagine going into Saks Fifth Avenue and being let loose with $49,000. Or popping into downtown Minneapolis for $75,000 of retail therapy at Neiman Marcus. Since she became the vice-presidential nominee, Sarah Palin has spent $150,000 on clothes and accessories, $25,000 more than her annual salary before tax. The clothes are apparently destined to go to charity after the campaign, which sounds like both an early admission of defeat and a bonanza for the second-hand shops of Alaska.

It's not just clothes; there are hair issues too. The Alaska Governor's hairdressing and make-up bill since September has been $4,700. Every time politicians have an expensive haircut they might as well declare themselves aliens. How can John Edwards possibly speak for blue-collar workers if he is spending $400 getting his locks trimmed? Hillary Clinton was often assailed as her hair changed expensively from a soft bob to something with the consistency of chromium.

The Obama campaign staff have let it be known that they incurred no similar expenditure, for all the world as if their elegantly attired candidate had turned up to the presidential debate in an old gardening shirt. On behalf of Mrs Palin, a spokeswoman was defensive: “With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it's remarkable that we're spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses.”

It is, but in a good way. Mrs Palin is doing her best to keep the economy afloat. If the criticism at home gets too great she would be welcome here. Westfield, a vast shopping centre, is due to open in West London in a week's time. Who better to cut the ribbon than Sarah Palin?