Controversial singer fires latest shot at Blair
Pop star George Michael today urged Tony Blair to listen to public opinion about the possible bombing of Iraq as he prepared to release his latest controversial music video.
Michael, whose video for the single Shoot The Dog will be premiered tomorrow, called on the British Prime Minister to be a ‘‘calming and rational influence’’ on US President George Bush.
The appeal came amid controversy over the singer’s latest video and single, on sale from August 12, in which Mr Blair is portrayed as a poodle to Mr Bush.
In a statement, the singer asks Mr Blair: ‘‘On an issue as enormous as the possible bombing of Iraq, how can you represent us when you haven’t asked us what we think?
‘‘And let’s be honest, we haven’t even begun to discuss it as a society.’’
Michael said he was ‘‘under no illusion’’ that his opinions were of any more importance than those of anyone else and he was essentially ‘‘a singer/songwriter and lucky sod’’.
‘‘Nevertheless, I have strong opinions on Britain’s current situation and I feel that in a time when public debate is being suppressed, even something as trivial as a pop song can be a good thing.
‘‘Shoot The Dog is intended as a piece of political satire, no more no less, and I hope that it will make people laugh and dance, and then think a little, that’s all,’’ he said.
Newspaper reports said the video, an animation to be shown on MTV from tomorrow, depicts Michael apparently trying to get intimate with Cherie Blair.
The singer, dressed in a leopard-print thong, is shown climbing on to the Prime Minister’s wife’s bed.
Michael also depicts Mr Blair as a ship’s captain, happily steering Britain - in the form of a speedboat - towards the US.
As he sets off across the Atlantic, Mr Blair fails to notice the country is still moored to Europe.
Michael said he was a patriotic man and his love for his country had driven him to defend it, despite the criticism he knew he would receive.
He also said he was encouraged by Mr Blair’s ‘‘strength to challenge the views’’ of Mr Bush in recent days, the very thing he said his song urged.
‘‘Don’t get me wrong, I am definitely not anti-American, how could I be, I have been in love with a Texan for six years and we are still going strong.
‘‘My feelings about George Bush, however, are a little different. And I know I’m not alone in fearing his politics, and in hoping that our man Tony can be a calming and rational influence on him,’’ he said.
Downing Street has not made any comment on the video.
