Nick Clegg today unveiled Roxy Music star Brian Eno as an advisor – and immediately bombed as he tried to show off his pop credentials.

 

Despite becoming, at 40, the youngest leader of the three main political parties, new Liberal Democrat chief proved he knows little about youth culture, making two embarrassing gaffes in as many days.

 

During his victory tour of broadcasting studios in the hours after being crowned yesterday, Mr Clegg was asked for his views on the hot topic obsessing pop fans – Radio 1’s decision to censor the much loved Christmas ditty Fairytale of New York.

 

The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl hit is regularly voted the nation’s favourite Christmas tune, and BBC bosses’ U-turn over the bleeping out of its ruder lyrics has been a pub talking point for days.

 

But as listeners to Radio 4’s PM programme learned, it was all a mystery to Mr Clegg. “Er, I don’t know the song,” he mumbled.

 

This morning the Liberal Democrat leader was given the opportunity to redeem himself when he appeared on Radio 5Live’s morning show. He was tossed an easy question – his favourite album - and plumped for “Changes” by David Bowie.

 

As every Bowie die-hard knows, however, while the singer’s 1972 single Changes is one of his most famous songs, the only album of that name is the 1990 Changesbowie – a compilation collection.

 

Outraged listeners immediately began telephoning the show to protest, as hosts Nicky Campbell and Shelagh Fogarty joked that Mr Clegg could not possibly be a true fan. It was a poor start for a new leader with a self-declared mission to “reach out beyond Westminster”.

 

Announcing Mr Eno as his advisor, he said the singer, currently recording with Coldplay and U2, had been given a brief to bring in ideas on reaching out beyond the London beltway. In particular, and despite being 59 himself, Mr Eno has been instructed to advise the Liberal Democrats on how to appeal to young people.

 

Mr Clegg said: “I’m delighted Brian Eno, whose whole life has been outside politics, will be advising me on how we can reach out beyond Westminster to people who don’t get a say in politics.”

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/news/2007/12/19/nclegg519.xml

Nick who??:rolleyes:

Everybody knows the Tories will get in at the next election as the British public won't forgive brown for lying about the EU Treaty.

 

Interesting to know what Gareth's thoughts are on Mr Brown signing the Treaty

In praise of ... Brian Eno

 

Brian Eno (or "Eno" as friends call him) has not always chosen his colleagues wisely. U2, Coldplay, Paul Simon: any discerning record shop would shelve these artistes under "crock music", yet Mr Eno (or "Brian" as some Americans call him) has worked with them all.

 

His latest collaborator is perhaps the most head-scratching of all. Nick Clegg, the Lib Dems' new leader and one of Westminster's jeunesse dorée, has appointed him his adviser on youth affairs.

 

It is not unusual for a politician to cadge some cred from a popstar. Oasis' Noel Gallagher visited Tony Blair at No 10, and Tony Hadley (yes, the horsey-looking one out of Spandau Ballet) has gone so far as to meet Michael Howard. In this instance, however, the parliamentarian is 20 years younger than the pop musician, who becomes eligible this year for a free bus pass.

 

The precise nature of Mr Eno's role is yet to be disclosed (the pop star "has some thoughts" is as far as Mr Clegg's spokesperson was willing to venture). Still, the former Roxy Musician is bound to have some interesting ideas. Indeed, the "non-musician" (as he calls himself) has had more ideas than most thinktanks. He has produced glam rock, post-punk, proto-disco, ambient - and worn gold lamé costumes besides.

 

It is fashionable nowadays to trust the crowd over individual inspiration, but Mr Eno has always preferred a combination of chance and experimentation. It has not always worked, but it has earned him huge success. Politicians take note.

 

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2234434,00.html