Following the devolved elections in May (2026), Commissioners from Poverty Truth Commissions across the UK recently sent a welcome message to newly elected Members of the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd Cymru.

Alongside congratulations and best wishes for the parliamentary term ahead, MSPs and MSs were invited to listen to a specially curated playlist titled “Stubborn Hope” — a collection of songs chosen by Commissioners to encourage, sustain and inspire political leaders through the challenges of public life.

Songs for the road ahead

In the message, Commissioners acknowledged the reality of political leadership today:

“We know that you have a tough job ahead of you, making decisions for the nation in fractious times is not easy, so we have put together a playlist of songs to encourage you when things get tough, and to inspire you to give the best of yourself.”

The message also reflected the heart of the Poverty Truth Network’s approach and the belief that lasting change grows through relationships:

“We believe that poverty can end, but it will not end through technical fixes alone. Systems change when relationships change. A slower, deeper, more humane politics is not only possible — it is more effective.”

Systems change when relationships change

For 18 years, Poverty Truth Commissions have created spaces where people who know the struggle against poverty sit alongside civic, business and political leaders to listen, learn and shape solutions together. As the message shared:

“The struggles people face are most effectively addressed when those who experience them most acutely are directly involved in creating the solutions.”

Commissioners also reflected that poverty is not inevitable, but emerges when systems are shaped without listening to those who live with their consequences. Across the Network, Commissions continue to show that when people meet as people, the shared wisdom that emerges can lead to better questions, better decisions and better outcomes.

The playlist itself included songs such as Lean On Me by Bill Withers, Rise Up by Andra Day, People Have The Power by Patti Smith and What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.

Listen now

You can listen to the Stubborn Hope playlist on Spotify now. (Please note, you will need a Spotify account and to be logged in, in order to access the playlist).