Culture war, extended: Smiths forbid Cameron to like their music
The prolonged war between David Cameron and the former members of the Smiths continued today, when Johnny Marr said he "forbid" the prime ministers from liking his band.
Speaking ahead of the release of his first solo album, the former Smiths guitarist and co-songwriter was reminded of when Cameron picked 'This Charming Man' during his appearance on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs.
"It's quite funny. It just sounds like a stupid conversation, really," he said after being played the clip, in which Cameron reminisced about lead singer Morrissey appearing on Top Of The Pops wearing flowers in his back pocket and an NHS hearing aid.
"It doesn't ring true to me very much. I think he liked the song. That's probably sadder than if he doesn't. He's entitled to like whatever he likes as long as he doesn't say it."
Marr added: "I told him to stop saying that he likes the band, I told him I forbid him to like it.
"He shouldn't like us. We're not his kind of people. I don't think I could say it any better. I think forbid is a really funny word."
Told about the comments during a visit to India today, Cameron said he would continue to listen to the band no matter how many of its former members told him not to.
"I've now got Johnny Marr and other members of the band saying I'm not able to listen to the the Smiths," he said.
"When I've got the complete and full set, even then I will go on and listen to the Smiths."
Cameron's use of the Smiths imagery has long been a problem for the band and Morrissey himself, who has not been shy in attacking the prime minister – along with meat-eaters and the royal family.
The Tories once tried to have a photo opportunity outside the Salford Lads Club, where the band's iconic 'The Queen Is Dead' album cover is shot, but Labour activists stopped them.
