イギリスの野党第2党、自由民主党（Liberal Democrats、Lib Dem）の新党首にニック・クレッグ氏（Nick Clegg、1967年生まれ）が選出された。
クレッグ氏「英国をもっとリベラルな国にしよう」
Nick Clegg: Make Britain a more liberal country
で、早速興味深いニュースが飛び込んできた。クレッグ氏が、若年者問題に関するアドヴァイザーに、元ロキシー・ミュージック／Roxy Music のブライアン・イーノ／Brian Eno 氏を起用したそうだ。
Lib Dems recruit Eno as advisor [INDEPENDENT]
The former Roxy Music keyboard wizard Brian Eno has been enlisted as the Liberal Democrat leader's adviser on reaching out to young people.
Mr Eno, 59, who is known for producing records with bands such as U2 and singers such as David Bowie, as well as his pioneering work with electronic music, will help the party appeal to people who have shunned conventional politics.
The composer and producer will report to Nick Clegg as part of his plans to break beyond traditional politics.
Clegg hires Brian Eno as youth adviser [Guardian]
Eno told the BBC Radio 4 World at One programme his work as a record producer meant he had credibility with young people.
Commenting on his decision to join the Lib Dem ranks, he said: "They have shown themselves to be an independent-minded party.
"I think they are the real opposition. I think they are the only opposition we have. The Lib Dems are the effective opposition and I hope that, the election after next, they will be the opposition and maybe the one after that they will be the government.
Eno joined the newly elected Lib Dem leader at a South London sixth form college earlier today, where Clegg used an address to students at Bacon's College, in Rotherhithe, to accuse the Tories and Labour of vilifying young people.
イーノ氏は「自民党こそ、独立心のある（independent-minded）、本物の、唯一の野党だ」と積極的な姿勢を見せている。
また、ニック・クレッグ氏がインタビューで自分は神の存在を信じない、と言い切ったことも話題になっている。
I don't believe in God, says Clegg [INDEPENDENT]
Nick Clegg revealed that he does not believe in God as he sketched out his policy priorities on his first full day as leader of the Liberal Democrats. Asked: "Do you believe in God?" during a BBC Radio Five interview, Mr Clegg replied simply: "No." Later he issued a statement in an attempt to ensure that his answer did not offend people with religious beliefs.
『インディペンデント』の記事には他の政治家の宗教観も載っているのだが、保守党党首デイヴィッド・キャメロン氏の「私は神の存在を信じる」（I believe in God）と真逆なのが面白い。キャメロン氏は先日、労働党に対抗すべく「progressive alliance」を自民党に持ちかけたことが記憶に新しいが──そういえば、やはり若いこの保守党党首はザ・スミス／The Smiths のファンであったな……。
最後に若者代表として「英17歳リベラル政治評論家」（自民党党員）の Jamandell さんに総評をお願いしよう。
Politics 17: Nick Clegg elected new Liberal Democrat leader
[関連エントリー]
