Political rivals reveal a shared passion for Springsteen
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.They may tear strips off each other in public, but Iain Duncan Smith and Tony Blair share a private passion for the blue-collar American rock of Bruce Springsteen.
The Tory leader followed the Prime Minister's lead yesterday by selecting a song by the Boss for Radio 4's Desert Island Discs.
Mr Duncan Smith, who recalled his "great days of abandonment" as a long-haired 19-year-old in Italy, chose "City of Ruins". Three years earlier, Tony Blair, who also had shoulder-length hair in the 1970s, nominated "Fourth of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" because it took him back to his courting days with Cherie.
Mr Duncan Smith's eclectic choice of music – which Tory Central Office insisted had not been influenced by spin doctors – included Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Jerry Lee Lewis's "Great Balls of Fire" and "One Fine Day" from Puccini's Madam Butterfly.
He nominated the Benedictus from Mozart's Requiem in D Minor because it reminded him of his pilot father's "great days in the skies"; "She" by Charles Aznavour, which was dedicated to his wife, Betsy; and "The Blue Song" by his sister, Suzi Lyon. Of his final choice, "My Baby Just Cares for Me", by Nina Simone, he said simply: "She has a voice that sends shivers up and down my spine every time I hear it."
Meanwhile, senior Tories laughed off reports that a group of disaffected Conservative businessmen and donors was setting up a new, unnamed political party.
The fledgling party, which has a website, is said to be planning to field candidates at the election. But the only named supporter is a former Downing Street official, Mark Adams. David Davis, the shadow Deputy Prime Minister, said: "When there is a name attached to it, we might start to take it seriously."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments