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Tony Blair may have been lead singer with a rock band but most politicians should probably think twice before mixing it with the contemporary music scene.

During the 1990s, the former Welsh Secretary John Redwood found himself of appropriating Britpop for the eurosceptic cause after namechecking a couple of bands in a newspaper article.

His successor but several, Peter Hain, has claimed enthusiasm for the Manic Street Preachers and others.

The 60-year-old Neath MP's says: "His other love is music and long before the craze for politicians claiming unlikely ipod shuffles, he's been into the Manic Street Preachers, Coldplay and Snow Patrol - and has got to know the bands through his work in Northern Ireland and Wales."

Now his successor, has been stressing her own commitment to music at the 10th birthday of the Welsh Music Foundation.

She received a warm welcome but her speech has not gone down well with all those who heard it. Music promoter , has posted his own review on his blog.

"Her speech was a shambles, "said Mr Rostron. "She may have been badly briefed, she may have tried to wing it, she may not have given the event proper consideration. Whatever the story behind it, she spoke about WMF with absolutely no understanding of its history or purpose. It was embarrassing."

Mr Rostron says Mrs Gillan namechecked six acts, four of whom were classical or opera stars. Two others were Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey, neither of whom lives in Wales.

Mrs Gillan told Radio Wales listeners she used to work in the music industry. She was employed by the late Mark McCormack's IMG at a time when they signed Def Leppard before the band made it big.

The Welsh Secretary's musical tastes are rather more sedate - she enjoys singing and has been a member of the Parliamentary Choir. Rock 'n roll, heh?!

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