The Political Party with Matt Forde

Running Time: 2 hours approx with an interval

Special Guest: David Lammy

Matt Forde (as seen on Jon Richardson Grows Up, Have I Got News For You, 8 out of 10 Cats & This Week) hosts a comedy night combining topical stand-up and a big interview with a political heavyweight. A celebration of politics with “a first-class comic” (The Guardian).

An unashamed political fan, Matt had a career in politics before becoming a stand-up comedian, radio presenter and writer. As well as hosting his own show on talkSPORT he has appeared on The Now Show and The News Quiz. He also writes for 8 Out Of 10 Cats, The Last Leg, Stand Up For The Week and Russell Howard’s Good News.

The Political Party podcast is regularly in the Top 10 comedy podcasts on iTunes with over 30,000 subscribers.

David Lammy MP is one of the bookies’ favourites to be the next Mayor of London. He has led a fascinating life, growing up in Tottenham next to the infamous Broadwater Farm estate. Just a few years later thanks to a scholarship to the Kings School in Peterborough he became the first black Briton to study at Harvard University. At just 27 he became the MP for Tottenham and was the youngest MP in the Commons. In the aftermath of the Labour leadership contest he declined Ed Miliband’s offer of a place in the Shadow Cabinet preferring to be a backbencher. Just a year later the Tottenham riots tore through his constituency. He blamed the riots on “a Grand Theft Auto culture that glamorises violence. A consumer culture fixated on the brands we wear, not who we are and what we achieve. A gang culture with warped notions of loyalty, respect and honour”. David Lammy has a unique perspective on the future of Labour and the country, having witnessed the effect of some of society’s most destructive forces. This is a great opportunity to hear directly from a politician who is poised to become one of Britain’s most powerful politicians either as London Mayor or in a potential future Labour government.

‘Perfectly timed’ Metro

‘Good solid gags and a great deal of charm’ Time Out

‘A class act… you definitely won’t be disappointed’ George Galloway

‘Certain to ruffle the feathers of the right-on brigade’ The Guardian