Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper handled lead vocals and keyboards on a cover version of GUNS N' ROSES' classic "Sweet Child O' Mine" at the Conservatives' annual Christmas party in Ottawa on Tuesday, December 9.

Backed by his new band the VAN CATS (apparently a play on vingt-quatre, to represent 24 Sussex, where they practise), Harper played the keyboards and sang seven different songs, including "Sweet Child O' Mine" for an encore, which drew a standing ovation from hundreds of Conservatives gathered at the Westin Hotel.

Harper's setlist consisted of the following tracks:

* "Ah Mary" by GRACE POTTER AND THE NOCTURNALS

* "Wagon Wheel" by OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW

* "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by JOHN DENVER

* "Jackson" by JOHNNY CASH

* "Silent Night"

* "I Saw Her Standing There" by THE BEATLES

* "Sweet Child O' Mine" by GUNS N' ROSES

Members of the media were allowed into the party for the performance, but were quickly escorted out once Harper and his band were done putting on a show for the cameras.

Harper has reportedly played piano or keyboards for the cameras several times in the past, including at the National Arts Centre Gala in 2009.