Clegg's first day: LibDem leader dismisses God but appoints ageing rocker to chase youth vote

13 April 2012

Atheist: The jury is out among commentators about whether the publice will warm to Mr Clegg for his candour or be repelled by his godlessness

Nick Clegg marked his first day as Liberal Democrat leader by revealing he does not believe in God - and making ageing rocker Brian Eno his "youth guru".

He was criticised for hiring the 59-year-old former Roxy Music star and risked angering millions of voters by taking the unusual step for a frontline politician of declaring his lack of faith.

Eno found fame playing keyboards with the Seventies band fronted by Bryan Ferry and has since won praise after producing albums for U2 and Coldplay.

Unveiling the role for the musician - who can pick up his free bus pass next year - Mr Clegg said: "If politics is going to solve the problems of people's everyday lives, we need to listen to people, and act on what they say.

"That's why 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."

Loser? Chris Huhne, despite branding Mr Clegg 'Calamity Clegg', is likely to be given a senior role in the new leader's frontbench team

In a letter to Eno, 40-year-old Mr Clegg - who won the LibDem leadership by a slender 511 votes - asked him to "engage with and support people who are traditionally excluded from politics, particularly young people".

He added: "I believe that your skills and experience in teaching, culture, and working with young people makes you ideally qualified for this role."

But Ashok Viswanathan, of Operation Black Vote - which campaigns to increase the number of black and Asian voters, said: "It seems a shame they have gone for someone most young people would struggle to identify."

Ken Ritchie, of the Electoral Reform Society - which wants 16-year-olds to get the vote, said: "Politicians are missing a trick by not doing more to encourage people who would be attractive to young people to speak out."

Mr Clegg, whose wife Miriam is Roman Catholic, caused surprise in a radio interview when he answered "No" when asked if he believed in God.

He said later: "I'm not an active believer. But the last thing I would do when talking or thinking about religion is approach it with a closed heart or a closed mind."

He explained that he has "enormous respect for people who have religious faith".

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Music man: Eno in his heyday

Last month, former Premier Tony Blair said he had not talked much about this faith for fear of being labelled a "nutter".

Asked if Mr Clegg's lack of faith mattered, Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said: "It matters less to me than to know that they are honest and reliable and that what beliefs they have they hold sincerely."

Mr Clegg also avoided questions on whether he had taken illegal drugs.

He replied: "I'm going to cast a veil over that. It's the one thing I agree with David Cameron on. I think politicians are entitled to a private life before they go into politics."

He used his first full day as leader to reveal that education and tackling poverty would be at the heart of his agenda.

He also began plotting a sweeping reshuffle of his troops to restore the LibDems' fortunes after two turbulent years in which they have ousted two leaders and seen their poll ratings plunge to just 11 per cent.

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