My Politician Is Funnier Than Yours

Comedian Ava Vidal examines whether devolution has changed the way people laugh at politicians and travels the UK to discover why Westminster is no longer the source of all political comedy.

Thirty years ago, when alternative comedy first developed as a scene, the target of its anger was clear - Margaret Thatcher and the Conservative Party. Political comedy was all based around Westminster because the decisions made there affected everyone in the country.

As power has moved from Westminster to Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff, Ava explores whether comedy has followed it and whether politicians are viewed differently in each place. And as Westminster adapts to a new government, she asks if the content of political comedy is due for a change there too and if there is still such a thing as national political satire.

Ava talks to comedian Jeremy Hardy; producer Bill Dare, who has been behind some of the biggest topical comedy shows on television and radio; and Tommy Sheppard who was in London for the start of the alternative comedy scene and is now behind the thriving Scottish stand-up scene, managing clubs and comedians.