MPs all set to rock the House

Jul 26 2007

SCOTTISH MP Pete Wishart is the only MP to have performed on Top of the Pops.

Now the former professional musician could be returning to the recording studio, thanks to Birmingham MP John Hemming.

Before becoming a politician, Mr Wishart played the keyboard for Runrig, a Scottish folk rock band which enjoyed chart success across the UK, and for Big Country.

Now that he's in the House of Commons as an SNP MP, he's kept his hand in as a member of MP4 - a four-piece band whose members are all MPs, specialising in Beatles and Oasis covers... or what they call "dad rock".

Mr Hemming (Lib Dem Yardley), a keen amateur musician, once joined them on stage.

But the Birmingham MP is also a successful businessman, whose firms include a record label named Music Mercia International.

He said: "I've offered them the use of my studio to record their second album.

"The first was called House Music. The second album is always difficult for any band, but I'm looking forward to hearing what they come up with."

Mr Wishart may soon face competition as Westminster's top musician. Former Blur drummer Dave Rowntree has applied to be a Labour General Election candidate in Liverpool.