Ed Vaizey was keen to extend the warmest congratulations to his old friend Alan Davey on his appointment as controller of Radio 3. “I have to say Alan Davey who I worked with for four years at the Arts Council is a terrific bloke and a great appointment,” the culture minister told the Radio Festival in Salford on Tuesday. “Do you ever listen to Radio 3?” asked presenter Jane Garvey. “No,” said Vaizey. Why not? “Because I love Classic FM, it’s an absolutely brilliant station I love it, it plays lovely music and is run by an amazing person.” So what’s wrong with Radio 3? “That’s a real half empty question. The question is what’s right with Classic FM?” said Vaizey. “It plays music I love in an accessible and informal fashion. I’m not being paid by Classic FM. It’s sounding too much like a plug let’s stop it right there.” If the election doesn’t work out in Vaizey’s favour next year, a career in radio clearly beckons. Just not on Radio 3.
