To an experienced Chancellor such as Gordon Brown, little could be more challenging than an angry Budget debate in the House of Commons — unless it is a grilling by a panel of sparky ten-year-olds.

It is not the questions on the economy, the NHS or crime that he has to watch out for, but the inevitable ones on popular youth culture.

But when Mr Brown crossed swords with his child inquisitors on Five News last night he, or his spin doctor, had clearly done his homework. For it was his musical tastes — and apparatus — that took centre stage.

“I’ve got an iPod,” he told the presenter, Kirsty Young, adding: “And I know how to use it.” His admission contrasted with that of Tony Blair, who said last year that although he had an iPod, he relied on his daughter, Kathryn, to work it.

The Chancellor did admit to taking advice from his son, John, 3, over who to vote for on Pop Idol. And he portrayed himself in tune with public taste, disclosing that he listens to The X Factor winner Leona Lewis.

“The other guy, Ray, sang all the old songs and Leona sang modern songs. I thought Leona was the best,” he said.

According to Robin Burke, presenter of a Virgin Radio request show, Mr Brown’s choice of Leona is indicative of a person who is attracted to success.

“It’s about the American dream,” he said. “Leona has progressed to the pinnacle of her career, coming from nowhere.”

Mr Brown is known to prefer programmes such as The X Factor, which brings out the best in people, to Big Brother, which often brings out the worst.

However, for those hoping for a spin-free government after Mr Blair’s departure, Mr Burke gives warning that the choice also indicates the “love of a brand” and “an attraction to marketing”.

This is not the first time the Chancellor has been questioned about his favourite music. In a New Woman interview last year, it was reported that he liked to wake up to Arctic Monkeys. When he was later unable to name any of their tracks, he argued that he had merely meant that the reputed noisiness of the band’s music led him to believe they would be good at waking him up.

Mr Brown’s attempts to portray himself as an up-to-date, accessible man is a far cry from 1996 when, before Labour came to power, he appeared on Desert Island Discs on BBC Radio 4.

During the interview, in which Sue Lawley notoriously grilled him about being unmarried, Mr Brown chose ten traditional records. These included a Gaelic rendition of the 23rd Psalm and the hymn, Jerusalem.

The softer family man is evident in Mr Brown’s choices last night, but not all has changed. Both Bach and the Beatles have survived the decade between the two interviews.

“Bach is the forefather of composing and shows a great respect for sophistication and an appreciation of the background of music,” Mr Burke said. But as “classical music is always going to have to reinvent itself as it’s been around for so many years”, could it be a metaphor for the new Labour project?

The Chancellor follows a long line of politicians who have revealed their taste in music in an effort to move with the times. Mr Blair and David Cameron, the Conservative Party leader, have been careful to show that they are in touch with modern trends.

The comments by the Chancellor were made during a Five Newsprogramme in which 50 ten-year-old children were given the opportunity to ask questions.

But Mr Brown did confess to some less modern traits: he does not text anyone and is not trusted to cook. He also tried to cast off his dour reputation, declaring: “I don’t think I’m that moody.”

Cabinet shuffle

Selections from the Gordon Brown iPod

A Moment Like This by Leona Lewis

U2

Coldplay

60s classics

Motown

Rolling Stones

The Beatles

Frank Sinatra

Dionne Warwick

Bach

Beethoven

Mozart

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