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Nick Clegg

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg joins Kirsty Young to choose his Desert Island Discs.

Kirsty Young's castaway is the Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.

Of his career, he says: "Joining the Liberal Party was a no brainer for me - when you're a young man, you don't get a calculator out saying 'Am I going to get to power?' you get propelled forward by idealism". Yet this week more than any other, critics have questioned whether his interest in power has meant his ideals have had to take a back seat.

In this candid conversation, he describes the behind-the-scenes negotiations that underpinned the coalition and he shares the personal trauma when, after his wife and baby son had both been dangerously ill, he wondered whether a political career would place too heavy a burden on his family.

Producer: Leanne Buckle

Record: Schubert - Impromptu No.3 in G flat major
Book: The Leopard by Giuseppe Di Lampedusa
Luxury: A stash of cigarettes.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 29 Oct 2010 09:00

Music Played

  • FrΓ©dΓ©ric Chopin

    Waltz in A Minor

    Artist: Idil Biret

    • Chopin’s Piano Music: Volume 13.
    • NAXOS.
  • Johnny Cash

    Sunday Morning Coming Down

    Composer: Kristofferson

    • The Man in Black: The Definitive Collection.
    • EMI.
  • Prince

    The Cross

    Composer: Prince

    • Sign 'O' The Times.
    • Paisley Park.
  • Nando Da Cruz

    Petit Pays

    Singer: CesΓ΅ria Γ‰vora. Performer: Paulino Vieira. Performer: Osvaldo Dias. Performer: Armando Tito. Performer: Toy Vieira. Performer: Ramiro Mendes.

    Composer: Nando da Cruz

    • Cesaria.
    • RCA.
  • Radiohead

    Street Spirit

    Composer: Radiohead

    • Best of Radiohead.
    • : Parlophone.
  • David Bowie

    Life On Mars?

    Composer: David Bowie

    • David Bowie/Very Best of 1969-74.
    • EMI.
  • Shakira

    Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) (feat. Freshlyground)

    Composer: Lyrics Shakira/ music J.Hill, Emile Kojidie, Dooh Belly, Eugene Victor, Ze Bell Jean Paul

    • Listen Up: The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album.
    • Epic.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Franz Schubert

      Impromptu in G flat major, D899 No. 3

      Artist: Alfred Brendel

      • Schubert:Impromptus Op. 90 & Op.142.
      • Philips.
  • Book Choice

    • The Leopard - Giuseppe di Lampedusa

  • Luxury Choice

    • Stash of cigarettes

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Nick Clegg

Broadcasts

  • Sun 24 Oct 2010 11:15
  • Fri 29 Oct 2010 09:00

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