Geoff Norcott to focus on democracy for new Radio 4 show

Friday 2nd September 2022, 11:30am

Right-wing comic Geoff Norcott is due to record a new stand-up special for Radio 4
The programme, entitled Geoff Norcott: Geofferendum, will explore voting and rights in modern society
Geoff says: "I wanted to make a show that drilled down into the culture of us constantly voting or being asked what we think"

Geoff Norcott is to focus on democracy for his next Radio 4 stand-up special.

Geoff Norcott: Geofferendum will see the stand-up comedian focusing on how voting and rights work in society.

Speaking to British Comedy Guide, Geoff jokes: "I wanted to make a show that drilled down into the culture of us constantly voting or being asked what we think, from elections and referendums to whether our toilet experience was 'satisfactory'.

"But let's also be clear, 'Geoff' sounds like 'Ref'. That was also a big part of the commission."

The programme will be recorded on Sunday 25th September 2022 at The George IV pub in Chiswick. Free tickets

Producers Pier Productions say: "As a believer in democracy - and as someone who was on the winning side of the Brexit referendum - Geoff Norcott generally believes that if we, the people, vote for something, that thing should happen. But are there limits to Geoff's belief in populism, as this is now generally called?

"For example, every opinion poll shows that if there were to be a referendum on the death penalty, it would be brought back, despite the fact that there's no evidence it works. In America the individual right to an abortion has been taken away from women 'democratically' in some states, something Geoff views as abhorrent (not to mention unconservative). And there's little doubt that if every new building had to have democratically approved, the United Kingdom would never build another house ever again.

"Join Geoff as he works out if he - and you - actually have democratic principles at heart, or if they just like the world to be arranged the way they like it, no matter how inconsistent that might be."

Norcott has made a string of shows for Radio 4 since 2018. His previous productions include Geoff Norcott: Right Leaning But Well Meaning, Geoff Norcott's Withdrawal Disagreement, Geoff Norcott Hates Being Told What To Do, Geoff Norcott: It's OK To Change Your Mind, Geoff Norcott: I Would Never Be Friends With... and Geoff Norcott: Well Classy.

Geoff Norcott: Geofferendum will air later this year on BBC Radio 4.

His debut book, Where Did I Go Right?: How The Left Lost Me is out now in hardback, paperback, ebook and audiobook formats.

Geoff Norcott - Where Did I Go Right?: How The Left Lost Me

By Geoff Norcott

"Voting Conservative is like buying a James Blunt album: loads of people have done it, but weirdly you never meet them..."

Comedian Geoff Norcott should have been Labour through and through. He grew up on a council estate, both of his parents were disabled, and his Dad was a union man. So, how was it that he grew up to vote Tory?

Through his colourful childhood in South London, we meet Geoff's vibrant family. His mother, a council estate matriarch crossed with Tony Soprano, ever willing to offer frank sexual advice or make life hell for the housing office. His maverick one-armed dad with blunt homespun philosophies on everything from punctuality to women and a dream to drive all the way around the M25. We also witness young Geoff's disastrous attempts to put out a kitchen blaze using an aerosol, and join him diving in and out of industrial skips with his best friend, as if they were holidaying in a lagoon.

The big myth about the British working-class is that they're born Left-wing and generally stay that way. The working class intention to vote Tory has frequently flirted with the 50% mark. Labour haven't won the popular vote in England since 2001. And as the Left is increasingly diverted by identity politics, the one identity they often forget is the working-class.

Written with warmth, wit and often laugh-out-loud humour, Where Did I Go Right? is Geoff's attempt to understand why he ended up voting 'for the bad guys', and the perfect place to start if you want to understand why in Britain, blue-collar conservatism might be here to stay.

First published: Thursday 13th May 2021

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Audiobook