The Matt Forde Focus Group

The Matt Forde Focus Group

From Comedy of the Week by BBC Radio 4

March 30, 2026 · 29 min

About this episode

Matt Forde explores the concept of tribal loyalty in politics with a live audience and a panel of guests.

We like to think we vote with our heads. But what if we've always voted with our tribe? Top political comedian Matt Forde convenes his Focus Group in front of a live theatre audience with a razor-sharp panel — former Conservative adviser Salma Shah, ex-SNP MP and broadcaster John Nicolson, and stand-up comedian Pierre Novellie — to ask whether tribal loyalty is the secret engine of political life. From parties haemorrhaging members to rivals, to the flag-wrapped contradictions of nationalist politics, to the question of whether multicultural Britain is importing conflicts it never signed up for, this is an episode about belonging, identity - and the ridiculous places both can lead This featured episode is The Politics of The Tribe from Series 2 of The Matt Forde Focus Group on BBC Radio 4. Written and performed by Matt Forde Additional writing from Karl Minns, Ruth Husko and Richard Garvin Producer: Richard Garvin Co Producer: Daisy Knight Broadcast Assistant: Ocean Holder Sound Design: David Thomas Editor Chris Maclean An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4

People in this episode

Host: Matt Forde

Guests: Salma Shah, John Nicolson, Pierre Novellie

Topics covered

  • tribal loyalty
  • political identity
  • nationalism
  • multiculturalism
  • political life

Keywords

  • politics
  • comedy
  • focus group
  • tribalism
  • identity
  • nationalism
  • multiculturalism

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Radio 4, Avalon

Books & works: The Politics of The Tribe

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