Tory conference used M People song without permission - founder "very angry"

Michael Pickering, founder of M People, has displayed his frustration at Liz Truss using the band's 1993 single, 'Moving On Up', for walking on stage to give her Tory party conference speech.

Pickering, who co-wrote the iconic track and founded M People, expressed anger on Twitter before the UK Prime Minister's speech was finished, saying: “No permission given for that we’re very angry.”

So apparently we can't stop Truss walking out to our song, very weird! So sad it got used by this shower of a government. BTW Truss labour used it with permission in 90's. I don't want my song being a soundtrack to lies.

— Michael Pickering (@themike_p) October 5, 2022

The musician later added: “So apparently we can’t stop Truss walking out to our song, very weird!

“So sad it got used by this shower of a government. BTW Truss labour used it with permission in 90’s. I don’t want my song being a soundtrack to lies.”

The songwriter spoke to the UK's Channel 4 News, expressing his grievance at the situation. "It (the song) grew out of Manchester and the whole scene there," Pickering said. "I don't want my song associated with the party that can't even run trains up to Manchester."

You can watch the whole interview below.

"'Move on outta here. Go on, pack your bags.' I think that's the part she should have played."

Founder of M People, and fierce critic of the Conservative government, @themike_p reacts to Liz Truss using the chorus of his song 'Moving on Up' at the party's conference. pic.twitter.com/9uHseCflvU

— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) October 5, 2022

According to her press secretary, the track had been personally selected by Truss, but there was no confirmation to whether the party had asked the band for permission.

“There was a range of options and she chose that one,” Truss' press secretary said.

In response to Pickering’s criticism, the press secretary said: “I don’t know who he is.”

James Small-Edwards, a Labour councillor and son of M People’s singer, Heather Small, also weighed in on the situation.

“An apt choice! This tired and out of touch Tory government is indeed moving on out,” he tweeted.

An apt choice!

This tired and out of touch Tory Government is indeed moving on out 🎶🌹 https://t.co/1BG86JPcxa

— Cllr James Small-Edwards (@JSmallEdwards) October 5, 2022

Pickering has said that the Prime Minister should pay closer attention to the lyrics of 'Moving On Up'.

Speaking to PA Media, he said: “I was just looking at the lyrics. It’s amazing. I hope she takes note. It’s about: ‘Go and pack your bags and get out.’”

Pondering why he thought the song had been used, the songwriter replied: “No one said to them: ‘Tony Blair and New Labour used that song all the time’ or, ‘Heather’s son is a Labour councillor’ or, ‘Mike is really vociferous on Twitter and social media about being an anti-Tory.’

“I don’t know why they have used it. They are so useless at everything. Who knows?”