Mike Pickering, founder of legendary Manchester band M People, is not happy that one of their songs was used at the Conservative party conference.
The musician said the group were ‘very angry’ at the sight of Liz Truss walking out to their tune Moving On Up.
He also described the Tories as ‘despicable’, ‘awful people’, and ‘freaks’ in an enraged rant.
The PM chose M People’s 1993 banger as her intro music for the closing speech at the political event – though thankfully refrained from dancing, unlike her predecessor Theresa May.
Ironically, former lead singer Heather Small’s son was elected as a Labour councillor in May.
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Twitter immediately erupted, alerting Mike to the PM’s song choice.
Liz Truss walking out to M People’s Moving On Up today. Credit: ITV News
And he was very quick to set the record straight, insisting ‘no permission had been given for that’ and that they were ‘very angry’.
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He then added that he didn’t want his song to be used ‘as a soundtrack to lies’.
Mike tweeted: “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.”
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He has since appeared on LBC to further tell his side of the story – and he didn’t hold back.
Mike told presenter James O’Brien: “I’m not have that woman or that party having anything to do with my music. I wouldn’t have had that.”
Liz Truss walked onstage to deliver her Conservative Party Conference speech to the sound of M People's 'Moving On Up'.@themike_p, the band's founder, tells James O'Brien why he's not happy.
He clarified that the Tories can use songs without permission – but if M People had known it was coming, they could have sent cease and desist letter to the venue itself.
He said: “We’re all in fear that these freaks are gonna use our music!
“There’s a few things really. New Labour used it all the time, with our permission, and also the lyrics – ‘you’ve done me wrong, you took a sip from the devil’s cup, move on out of here, pack your bags and leave’.
Noel Gallagher to be awarded prestigious Songwriter of the Year at 2026 BRITs in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Noel Gallagher is set to receive a special honour at this year’s BRIT Awards.
The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard has just announced that Noel Gallagher is the recipient of this year’s ‘Songwriter of the Year’ award, which is an accolade that recognises exceptional songwriting talent, and is decided by a select panel of expert judges – with previous recipients ranging from Ed Sheeran through to Charli xcx.
Noel will accept the award in person when the BRITs comes to Manchester for the first time ever at Co-op Live on 28 February.
According to the panel of expert judges, Noel’s songwriting has permeated the fabric of British culture for more than 30 years, from his seminal work with Oasis, to his ambitious and acclaimed solo albums with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.
His songs span generations and have continued to resonate with audiences around the world like no other.
Of course, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that Oasis ended 16 years of speculation by confirming a return to the stage last year in a reunion that many thought would never come to pass. The Oasis Live ‘25 tour became a cultural phenomenon, with 41 electrifying performances in cities across the world – including right here in Manchester’s Heaton Park.
Oasis sold in excess of one million albums in 2025 alone, the only UK artist to achieve such a feat… and the albums didn’t even come out in that year.
Alongside his brother, Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, Noel has multiple BRITs to his name so far, but this time around, it’s Noel’s chance to shine in his own right with this important accolade.
The BRIT Awards are coming to Manchester for the first time in its history in 2026 / Credit: ITV / BRITs / Co-op Live
“For more than three decades, Noel has crafted songs that have become part of our collective story – bold, brilliant, and always recognisable,” commented Stacey Tang, who is the Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK, as Noel’s songwriting honour was announced last night.
“His songs have soundtracked memories for multiple generations and defined the spirit of British music globally. Honouring Noel as Songwriter of the Year celebrates a remarkable body of work and a creative force that continues to connect and inspire artists and fans worldwide.”
The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard will take place on Saturday 28 February from Manchester’s Co-op Live, and audiences at home can watch on ITV live or stream later on ITVX.
Comedian and actor Jack Whitehall will return to presenting duties in 2026 – his sixth time hosting the show.
Featured Image – RTP (via Flickr)
Music
Harry Styles announces one-night-only ‘intimate’ show in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Harry Styles has announced a surprise gig here on home turf – a one night only party to celebrate the release of his latest album.
The pop megastar will be performing a show at the Co-op Live – the arena in which he’s a major investor, but hasn’t yet played.
The rumours of a hometown (ish – he was born in Cheshire) show for the former One Direction star have been swirling for weeks, and now the man himself has confirmed it’s happening.
The gig will take place on Friday 6 March, the same day that his new album is released.
And shockingly, tickets for the intimate (by his standards) gig will cost just £20.
Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally is set for release earlier that day, and Harry Styles will perform all the songs live for the first time here in Manchester that very same day.
Details are, at the minute, light on the ground – but he’s hinted at tickets being sold by ‘request’.
In a post in Instagram, Harry Styles wrote: “One Night Only. Manchester. Co-op Live. March 6th.
“Ticket requests begin Friday. More details to follow.”
Fans had been dismayed until now that Harry’s Together Together tour was only visiting Wembley Stadium in London for his UK leg.
But now he’s announced the chance to see him on a comparatively tiny arena stage, I think we might have won?
Daisy Jackson -
5th October 2022 
