‘I think there’s a demonisation of poor people...’

Squeeze will be raising funds and awareness for the Trussell Trust food bank network on their 27-date tour, which stops off in Nottingham and Leicester. GLENN TILBROOK explains why

A LMOST three years ago, deep in the heart of the BBC, Glenn Tilbrook was preparing to perform with Squeeze on The Andrew Marr Show. Sitting on the couch, ready to listen, was former Prime Minister David Cameron. At the last minute Glenn changed the lyrics of Cradle To The Grave to sing: “I grew up in council housing/part of what made Britain great/ There are some here who are hellbent on the destruction of the welfare state.”

Not just a political Machiavellian, Glenn has made an effort to inform himself greatly, and that’s how he came across the Trussell Trust.

It’s clear to see in the way he talks about it that, for him, this is a new raison d’être.

“I watched a programme on iPlayer about foodbanks, and it really stayed with me.

“The grinding desperation of people who don’t have enough food to put on the table for their kids.

“Anyone can end up in that situation and I’m ashamed that in 2019 our politicians can’t come up with a better solution.”

The Trussell Trust is an anti-poverty charity that supports a network of over 420 food banks across the UK.

In 2017-2018, 1,332,952 three-day emergency food supplies were provided to people referred to foodbanks in the Trussell Trust’s network – a 13 percent increase on the previous year.

“I just wanted to help the Trussell Trust and what they do with coordinating collections and distribution. It’s just a very practical solution to a heartbreaking problem.”

Audience members will be able to donate non-perishable foods and other essential items at all venues, where they’ll be collected by the local food bank.

Glenn also released a solo acoustic EP to raise money during his own tour dates.

“I wanted it to be really stripped back and just me singing and playing because I’ve never really done that before.”

Ever the musical tinkerer, Glenn’s voice rises in excitement at the prospect of trying new things out on the road during the upcoming tour, aptly titled The Difford And Tilbrook Songbook.

“We’ve had something of a renaissance in the last few years, and look forward to this continuing, as we will play a set of

songs that are both new, contemporary and as innovative as people have come to expect from us, along with the old beauties.”

Glenn is quick to admit that food banks, however good, are not the definitive answer to a larger crisis.

“I think there’s a demonisation of poor people that’s been going on too long, where they somehow seem as spongers if they don’t have enough money.” Glenn is more solemn now. “I grew up in council housing and my parents can remember when being poor was an awful stigma. You had no help from the Government, and we seem to be gradually wending our way back to that position.”

Do you think it’s a sense of apathy?

“Maybe apathy on the part of people that let this sort of thing happen, but I don’t think it’s political apathy.” He pauses. “I think it’s sort of an agenda – not to create poverty – but poverty is the by-product of a totally free market society.”

There’s a point to be made, that while some of Squeeze’s later records have been extremely politically charged (cuts like A&E and Rough Ride from 2017’s The Knowledge are a call to arms for the country’s welfare services), their early records are just as poignant.

“I think the politics of songs like Labelled With Love and Up The Junction were more personal, but coming from a similar place.”

From a similar place of the troubles of the ordinary working person?

“Exactly that. Honestly, Up The Junction could be a Trussell Trust story, you know?”

Begging may not be his business, but Glenn comes across as someone making a genuine and concerted effort.

In the age of celebrities getting involved in politics, Glenn and Chris are putting their money where their mouth is, and singing for not just their own supper this autumn.

Squeeze will be heading for Leicester De Montfort Hall on Tuesday, October 22 – tickets: demontforthall.co.uk or 0116 233 3111; prices: £37.50-£51 inc booking fee; VIP packages £125 – and at Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, on Saturday, November 9 – tickets: trch.co.uk or 0115 989 5555; prices: £36-£49.50 plus fees.