I’ve had exactly this feeling with The Guardian Today in Focus and Matt Forde ‘s Political Party but having felt like a musical imposter my whole life, it was brilliant on a whole new level to be on stevepretty ‘s Origin of the Pieces, which is highly recommended for music lovers!

I’ve worked hard all my life but won’t survive to claim any state pension, credit or any other retirement benefits. I’m lucky to be well enough to work - for now. But not a day goes by where I don’t worry about living and dying in poverty. I don’t much like the cold either.

Save the date! Saturday 26th October My solo album launch, documentary premier screening and 2 year survival party!!! Time and venue TBC in London - but I’m working on it. All proceeds will go to Macmillan Cancer Support Everyone’s invited 🙂

Really looking forward to the Led By Donkeys debut album release! Xmas no 1???

State schools ALREADY have debating clubs. And as for teachers encouraging more discussion in class, it would help if the curriculum weren’t so crammed that taking the time to find out what students think about any subject is an unimaginable luxury! theguardian.com/education/2024…

I was worried that when I went so public with my story, I’d receive death threats. But no - I’m a middle aged white man and though I’m not exactly lucky in life, I’ve got to check my privilege. This abuse is off the scale.

I shall go to the ball! And by ball, I mean the Labour conference (as long as I can find somewhere to stay - eek!). If you see me wandering around looking lost, please say hello - no staffers employed to talk to me this time!

Visiting No. 10 was even more significant than I hoped it would be and it hasn’t quite sunk in that I’ve survived to take up the invitation. Thanks so much to the team of staffers behind the scenes for organising as well as the big hitters in the Cabinet for saying hello!

I appear to have found my way onto this most esteemed panel at the Labour conference. I won’t be offering many (if any!) answers but plenty of questions and concerns from someone confronted by the immediacy of these issues.

As an asthmatic with a history (or very possibly present) of lung cancer, I’m quite a fan of clean air. I also quite enjoy clean water.

Exhibit A right here

Ofsted has established and deliberately maintained a culture of fear. This language is no accident. The organisation is toxic and a new body must be established that has kindness, decency and professional respect at its core. The current inspectorate displays none of these.

Context! Here is some context!!

Does anyone know how old Larry the Cat is and how long that breed tends to live? I’m curious as to which of us might last longer…

I was born three months prematurely. Under an insurance based system, I’d have been considered too much of a risk to even GET insurance. Fast forward to the expensive cancer treatment - who’s paying for that? Who’s being denied lifesaving surgery etc. and dying in poverty? Me.

Backpack ✔️ Suit bag ✔️ Trombone … ?! Ok…I’m aware that there is precisely no reason to bring brass instruments to the The Labour Party conference, but because…reasons, it’s happening. So how can I turn this into an opportunity? Karaoke aid? DJ collaboration? Sound FX for speeches?!

You forgot ‘generic cancer patient put on panel for heartbreaking yet inspiring emotional context. 11am Sunday, Arena Room 9

Conference Olympics Event 1: 🏅 Arrive at Euston an hour early for your train reservation, watch the departure board like a hawk and sprint onto Coach D in order to find an available seat! #winning