We brought you the news from Cannes that the leading men had ditched their ties – well, now the politicians have too.

At the G8 summit in Ireland this week, there was nary any neckwear in sight as the leaders lined up to show off how louche and laidback they were about solving global problems and making sure the world doesn't implode before this time next week. It's telling that the politician who is *really* in charge here has never worn a tie anyway: Angela Merkel looks like she's fairly herding all these open-collared yokels down that gravel path, sheep-dog style, doesn't she?

Chancellor George Osborne (sadface) revealed to the BBC that he had been told to leave his tie at home to create an 'informal' atmosphere. Presumably this was also a health and safety measure, in case any of the other leaders were moved to garrotte him with it mid-tax debrief.

Which is all well and good, and how interesting a trend for an often neglected area of the body, etc etc. But what will all these big dogs tie round their heads when it's time for the after-dinner dancing?