Prime Minister Liz Truss performed M People’s song “Moving On Up” at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham today (October 5).
The Prime Minister delivered a 35-minute speech this morning at the International Conference Center (ICC). As the BBC points out, this was the shortest personal conference address by a Tory prime minister to date.
In it, Truss outlined his economic vision for the UK, saying he advocated “growth, growth, growth”. He also reiterated that the recent reversal of plans to remove the 45p tax rate for the highest earners was because he had lost his temper.
Addressing those worried about the economy, the Prime Minister said she is “working flat out” to ensure they get through the current crisis: “So let me be clear: we have your back, ” she said. However, he failed to mention that last month’s mini-budget did not help low-income people at all.
Truss took the podium as M People’s 1993 hit “Moving On Up” was played over the public phone system. Behind her was the slogan “Get Britain Moving”. The song in question contains the following phrase: “Move right out of here, baby, go pack your bags.”
In response, M People founder and co-writer of ‘Moving On Up’ song Mike Pickering tweeted: “So apparently we can’t stop Truss from walking with our song – very strange!”
He continued: “It’s very sad that this despicable government used it. By the way, Truss Labor used it with permission in the ’90s. I don’t want my song to be a soundtrack of lies.”
In another message, Pickering wrote: “I sincerely hope you listen to the lyrics.”
James Small-Edwards, son of M People singer Heather Small, is a Labor and Co-operative Councilor for Bayswater in the City of Westminster. He said Truss’ use of “Moving On Up” was a “sensible choice”.
Small-Edwards said: “This Conservative government is really tired of going out of touch.”
Heather Small has yet to comment on the use of the single – NME has contacted her representatives for comment.
Elsewhere at today’s conference, Truss was interrupted by Greenpeace activists holding a yellow banner reading “Who Voted For This?” A protester could be heard shouting, “Who voted for fracking?”
Greenpeace later shared a clip of the moment on Twitter: “Greenpeace activists interrupted the speech [de Liz Truss] in
Speaking to NME earlier this year, Heather Small recalled the time Boris Johnson referenced lyrics from M People’s 1994 song “Search For The Hero” when discussing his experience with COVID-19 and his mission after it that of weight loss.
“At the moment, I’m from an immigrant background, I’m working class, I’m black, I’m a woman and if a Conservative Prime Minister is going to quote my words, I accept it! I’ve always liked the Conservatives,” explained she
“And if you look at the strict immigration regulations that they want to implement, I think: you are mentioning the daughter of immigrants. We give something positive, give us something different and give us a lot of work that should be. recognized.”
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