Would You Let This Man Govern Your Country?

Fashion – Turn to the left, Fashion – Turn to the right…

With the news of Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg (above) teaming up with the Tories to form Britain’s first coalition government since 1945, it became apparent that we could have a Bowie ‘fan’ at Number Ten in the not too distant future.

Well, it could happen. Now that he’s Deputy Prime Minister in the UK, Clegg could step into the top job if for any reason the newly ‘elected’ Conservative Prime Minister, David Cameron, was no longer fit for purpose.

Clegg first announced his predilection for Bowie’s music in 2007 when, as the new leader of the Lib Dems, he was asked on Radio 5 Live’s morning show to select his favourite album. He answered thus: “Changes by David Bowie”.

Callers to the show were quick to point out that Changes was a song, not an album, unless Mr Clegg had selected a Bowie compilation over the other albums in the Bowie back catalogue…which in itself isn’t a crime, just unusual.

The 20-year-old photograph of a 22-year-old Clegg, above, supposedly dressed as Ziggy Stardust for a fancy dress party, first surfaced in 2007. But, the picture was resurrected for a Christmas card sent out last year by Labour Chief Whip Nick Brown with the heading: “I want to be Prime Minister“.

What Brown couldn’t have guessed when he created this bit of mischief was that Clegg would be merely one man away from the job just six months later!

Now Clegg has expanded his list of favourite music with this lot: Jonny Cash, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Prince, Macy Gray, Schubert, Bach.

Perhaps it was David Cameron’s cheeky use of Bowie’s Changes at the Conservative manifesto launch last month that finally persuaded Clegg to get into bed with the Tories. Oh well, at least the playlist for the Downing Street stereo should be an area for easy agreement.

Anyway, it wouldn’t be the first time we had a Bowie fan in Number Ten. I’m sure you all remember Tony Blair‘s appreciative speech when he presented Bowie with the Outstanding Contribution Award at The Brits in 1996. If you don’t, view it here.