OASIS FOR PARLIAMENT

Alan McGee, head of the Creation record label (home of Oasis), has cemented his long-known ties with the Labor Party by reaching into his personal funds to make a $75,000 contribution to the general election campaign that is expected to put Labor leader Tony Blair into the Prime Minister’s office on May 1.

This is just the latest of numerous efforts by McGee to support Blair, who has touted his rock ‘n’ roll affections and connections throughout his challenge to Tory Prime Minister John Major. McGee and Creation press officer Andy Saunders held a series of meetings with Blair and other Labor leaders to discuss the party’s youth policies and even offer advice as to the right (and wrong) types of music to use in youth-oriented Labor television broadcasts. In January, Creation organized a meeting between Blair and senior U.K. music executives, and last year McGee presented Blair with a multi-platinum disc at a youth rally during the party’s national conference.

Noting the surge of interest in British rock spurred by Oasis in recent years, Blair said of the donation, “We welcome support from all quarters, but it is particularly good to have the backing of someone who is doing so much for British music--and the balance of trade.”