A cross-dressing 19-year-old models his look on former Tory Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher – after becoming a fan at the age of just 11.
While most 11-year-olds know little about the complex world of politics, Tom Hulme from Oldham, Manchester, had already joined the Tory party after hearing about the referendum.
Tom is such a firm supporter of the Conservatives, he even dresses like Thatcher, Prime Minister from 1979 – 1990.
He described himself as the Iron Lady’s "biggest fan".
Tom started dressing in woman’s clothes from the age of 10 and describes how it came naturally to him after he first tried on a dress in secret.
He now spends hours applying make-up, choosing outfits and decorating his room with posters of the former PM as well as visiting people in his local constituency.
Tom, a student at the University of Lincoln, said: "I have always been interested in what was going on in the world but my interest really started when I noticed the coalition was happening.
"Looking back, my friends were always intrigued by me and when I joined the party and started getting invites for events with the Prime Minister, they showed a lot more interest.
"They were always very accepting of me though.
"I found the party shared my views and beliefs and I wanted to be a part of that.
"In terms of dressing differently, it’s something I had wanted to do for a long time and it just came naturally.
"I was dressing up in my room from the age of 10 and it just felt right, it was like a missing piece.
"It became more public when I was around 17 and I just decided that everyone knew it was happening anyway, so why not?
"This was how I wanted to be seen."
Tom, now in his second year of studying politics and sociology, comes from a humble, working-class background but says he was inspired by the former Prime Minsters upbringing, that in some ways was similar to his own.
Although originally Tom never planned to look like his role model, Maggie, after comments from friends and party members comparing him to the previous leader of the Conservative party, he soon started to fashion a similar look.
He said: "Hearing about Maggie’s upbringing was so inspiring for me and the story of how she came to be.
"It made me believe that if she could do it then even I can make it in the world of politics.
"She managed to push and shout through a world of men, it’s an amazing story.
"People started telling me that my look was similar to hers and I thought I would embrace that. She had a great sense of style."
Tom was able to attend the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham this year, meeting MP Penny Mordaunt, the Minister for Women and Equalities, and MP Nicky Morgan but says he doesn’t envy Theresa May’s position at the top.
He said: "The conference was so much fun and in a way a felt like the way I dressed almost gives me a sense of power, people treated me with more respect."
Tom says that it was initially a shock to his parents after revealing his true identity to them but that they have now accepted him and his beliefs and are very proud of his achievements.
He now has dreams of becoming a mental health nurse but says that becoming an MP would never be off the table.
He said: "My family are very supportive of me but it took them a while to get used to the idea.
"I never wanted to push the way I am onto people, or force them to accept it.
"I do understand that politics is not a straightforward career but if the opportunity came up I would be happy to become an MP.
"I care passionately about this country and would always like to give something back."
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