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.THE FORMER Radio 1 DJ Bruno Brookes has become the latest "Trendy Tory" recruited by William Hague to revitalise the Conservative Party.
Brookes, who was culled by the BBC to make way for the new generation of DJs, has been chosen as a key member of Hague's Creative Forum, the think-tank charged with rebranding the party for the millennium.
The forum, which will advise on everything from the party logo to its "new millennial brand image", meets for the first time next week. Other members include the fashion designer Katharine Hamnett and James Bethell, the man behind London's Ministry of Sound nightclub.
Tony Blair has made great political capital out of attracting celebrity support for his "Cool Britannia" message, and the recruitment of so-called "Trendy Tories" is further evidence that Mr Hague is not prepared to cede that ground.
Brookes, 37, boasts of being a millionaire and runs a growing media company that syndicates his shows to local radio such as Aire FM. Colleagues at the Leeds-based station said the move came as no surprise since "everyone knows Bruno is a Trendy Tory".
Brookes himself was reticent yesterday after being "outed" as a Tory and redirected callers to Conservative Central Office.
Tories hope his combination of business sense and media savvy will pay dividends. But whether he will supply the fresh approach demanded by Central Office remains to be seen. Last year, Brookes appeared in a billboard advert for Aire FM that was banned by the Advertising Standards Authority as "offensive, sexist and gratuitous". The poster showed a cigar-toting Brookes framed by the stockinged legs of his wife, Debbie.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments