Geoff Norcott to publish memoir Where Did I Go Right?

Thursday 5th November 2020, 9:00am

Geoff Norcott has written a memoir for publication in May 2021
The right-leaning comic will explore his political allegiances in the book
Where Did I Go Right?: How The Left Lost Me is now available to order

Comedian Geoff Norcott is to publish his debut memoir in 2021, British Comedy Guide can exclusively reveal.

Where Did I Go Right?: How The Left Lost Me is earmarked for publication on 13th May 2021 from Monoray.

The comic, who grew up in a stoutly working-class family on a council housing estate, has become a popular fixture on radio and television in recent years as one of only a handful of comedians willing to talk about their right-wing politics, voting Conservative, and being pro-Brexit.

As well as making a name as a performer in his own right, Norcott is also a trusted writer and gagsmith on panel shows and for other comics, and has supported stars including Katherine Ryan and Romesh Ranganathan on tour.

Geoff says: "I'm delighted to be working with a brilliant publisher like Monoray. Between 2010 and 2019 I voted for the Conservatives four times. Where Did I Go Right? charts how I came to politically defy the expectation of my background and - indeed - my parents. I've also tried to capture the tumultuous democratic roller-coaster of the last few years and understand why we all became a bit militant and deranged. Like my on-stage comedy, I want this book to be something a bit different."

The blurb teases: "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."

The publishing house concludes: "Where Did I Go Right? is warm, honest and laugh out loud funny. The perfect place to start if you want to understand why in Britain, blue-collar conservatism might be here to stay."

Publisher Jake Lingwood says: "Geoff has written a really smart, funny memoir, that is so entertaining, but that also really gets to the heart of why the working classes have deserted Labour. Whatever your voting persuasion, if you're interested in either modern politics - or brilliantly witty comedy-- then you will love Where Did I Go Right?."

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

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