Tories show fun side

Monday, 4 October 2004 12:00 AM

Ahead of a serious week of debating Conservative Party philosophy and policy at the annual conference in Bournemouth, senior ministers in Michael Howard's party have described their literary and musical tastes in a five-minute video screened to journalists.

The "talking heads" style documentary is a format to be used throughout the week at the Bournemouth aimed at reflecting the broad demographic support for the party.

On the preview tape, Shadow Defence Secretary Nicholas Soames said he was a big fan of Dido while party co-chairman Dr Liam Fox said he listened to The Scissor Sisters.

Reflecting a wide array of tastes, Shadow Foreign Secretary Michael Ancram said he was a big fan of Meatloaf, while policy co-ordinator David Cameron said he found "depressing" music by The Smiths and Pulp "strangely uplifting".

In a film aimed at projecting a more "fun" image of the party, the Conservatives were also asked about their hobbies and "first kiss".

A lively Mr Soames said: "I made a frightful hash of it and it may have scarred me for life."

The party's spokeswoman for the family, Theresa May, declined to divulge her first kiss "in front of her husband".

On the literary front, David Willets admitted to being a fan of John Updike.

Conservative Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin said the last book he read was by Downing Street strategist Philip Gould on Labour's 1997 election victory.

Mr Howard said the last book he read was historian David Starkey's biography of Elizabeth II.

The video forms part of the Conservatives' new conference set - described by Dr Liam Fox as "a conference without walls".

The lighthearted apolitical motif was used to "build bridges with the millions of voters who feel let down by politicians and disaffected", he said.

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