Lord Feargal Sharkey? UK Music head could be set for life peerage

Forget the unions, the bankers and big pharmaceuticals – the music industry may soon have an advocate in the House of Lords. Feargal Sharkey, head of the UK Music pressure group, may soon be named to the upper chamber, according to a tabloid report. If the Daily Mirror is to be believed , Sharkey is in line to receive a life peerage from David Cameron. The former Undertones frontman has been intensely involved in the debate over copyright policy and the proposed "three strikes" rule. He was also a key player in the successful campaign to save BBC 6 Music. Cameron was "deeply impressed", the Mirror claims, "[and feels] he would be a welcome addition to the House of Lords or in a role advising the government, although nothing has been finalised". Labour is purportedly just as enthusiastic about Sharkey's nomination. "If the Tories don't nominate him I'm sure our side would," said an unnamed MP. "One way or another, it's going to happen." If successful, he would join the House as a cross-bench peer, without formal party affiliation. Born in Derry, Sharkey found fame with the Undertones, celebrated for hit songs such as My Perfect Cousin and John Peel favourite Teenage Kicks . Although Sharkey sat out the most recent Undertones reunion, he worked in A&R for Polydor Records in the mid 90s.