Annie Lennox attracts 10 times more viewers than First Minister
Leaders’ New Year messages snubbed
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They are the two most powerful men in Britain and their decisions shape the day-to-day lives of more than 60million people.
But just 955 people were interested in what Prime Minister Gordon Brown and First Minister Alex Salmond had to say about 2009.
New Year messages by the Labour and SNP leaders have been snubbed by YouTube viewers, who were more interested in the views of celebrities such as singer Annie Lennox.
Just 625 people logged on to hear Mr Brown’s vision for the next 12 months.
Mr Salmond was watched by 330 people keen to hear what 2009 and the Homecoming celebrations will mean for them.
But Aberdeen-born pop star Ms Lennox attracted more then 10 times as many viewers as the first minister, clocking up more than 3,500 hits on her internet Hogmanay message by lunchtime yesterday.
In his address, the prime minister insists that despite the “enormous” problems facing Britain, the economy will emerge stronger than before.
He said: “The scale of the challenges we face is matched by the strength of my optimism that the British people can and will rise to meet them, because we’re not a ‘do nothing’ people and we’ve always risen to every challenge.”
Mr Salmond’s video message was recorded at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh, which is currently hosting the Zig-Zag – Paths of Robert Burns exhibition.
It begins with a view of the original manuscript of Auld Lang Syne.
Mr Salmond adds: “For many people, 2009 will be an enormous challenge, with the full impact of the economic downturn starting to bite.
“At times like this, therefore, it is even more important that we pull together as a nation. The economic storm clouds are gathering but I know that we will weather this storm and emerge even stronger and well placed to prosper.”
Mr Salmond, who represents Banff and Buchan as an MP and is MSP for Gordon, is no stranger to YouTube and has become an internet sensation following his portrayal of Rikki Fulton’s character Rev IM Jolly for Children in Need.
The video has been viewed more than 16,000 times.
