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Politically Homeless
Part memoir, part behind-the-scenes insider view, Politically Homeless is both a fascinating and funny book for anyone who feels annoyed by the current state of politics. Which should be around 65 million people in the UK alone.
Matt Forde has been obsessed with politics ever since he was 9 years old. Raised by a single mum on benefits in inner city Nottingham, he joined the Socialist Workers Party as soon as he could, foisted issues of Marxism Today on innocent bystanders and attended his first political party conference. From then on, despite some career suicide moments such as chatting to the Prime Minister at Number 10 while badly drunk, Matt's whole future looked wedded to the Labour Party as he started working for MPs in dingy back rooms in Nottinghamshire.
But then Labour started to fall apart, and so did Matt's sense of purpose. With the rise of Corbyn, Brexit and Trump, his love for politics that had been so profound began to quickly crumble.
Exploring themes such as tribalism, the curse of complacency and why some politicians refuse to speak normally, Politically Homeless is a hugely entertaining book of (often hilarious) personal stories and thought-provoking insights into this complicated world. And despite everything, Matt's passion is still there. Through hosting his award-winning weekly podcast, 'The Political Party' (over 5 million downloads) involving interviews with some of politics' most powerful and notorious figures including Tony Blair, Nicola Sturgeon, Sadiq Khan, Michael Heseltine, Nigel Farage and Jacob Rees-Mogg and performing critically acclaimed stand-up comedy shows, Matt has been able to keep enough faith that politics will get better. Maybe.
Matt Forde has been obsessed with politics ever since he was 9 years old. Raised by a single mum on benefits in inner city Nottingham, he joined the Socialist Workers Party as soon as he could, foisted issues of Marxism Today on innocent bystanders and attended his first political party conference. From then on, despite some career suicide moments such as chatting to the Prime Minister at Number 10 while badly drunk, Matt's whole future looked wedded to the Labour Party as he started working for MPs in dingy back rooms in Nottinghamshire.
But then Labour started to fall apart, and so did Matt's sense of purpose. With the rise of Corbyn, Brexit and Trump, his love for politics that had been so profound began to quickly crumble.
Exploring themes such as tribalism, the curse of complacency and why some politicians refuse to speak normally, Politically Homeless is a hugely entertaining book of (often hilarious) personal stories and thought-provoking insights into this complicated world. And despite everything, Matt's passion is still there. Through hosting his award-winning weekly podcast, 'The Political Party' (over 5 million downloads) involving interviews with some of politics' most powerful and notorious figures including Tony Blair, Nicola Sturgeon, Sadiq Khan, Michael Heseltine, Nigel Farage and Jacob Rees-Mogg and performing critically acclaimed stand-up comedy shows, Matt has been able to keep enough faith that politics will get better. Maybe.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published October 8, 2020
20 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
October 15, 2020
Funny, discerning, honest and a hugely insightful read that will undoubtedly resonate with political feelings of many of us today (me included). Forde has achieved so much more in the political field than I ever knew and his knowledge and understanding of the UK’s political environment is impressive, which makes for fascinating reading. Despite many people also feeling politically homeless right now, or frustrated at it all, this book still gives a lot of hope and lessons that could be learned as we move forward, which is exactly what I needed to be reading - says a lot in general about Forde’s optimistic default. Highly recommended read!
November 2, 2020
Extremely unfunny, hard to believe this was published.
Having a byline by Tony Blair, celebrated war criminal, and calling yourself 'politically homeless' is in extremely poor taste, and that sense of being tone deaf only get worse the more you read.
He isn't a writer, and I dont know why he thought he could write a book.
Avoid.
Having a byline by Tony Blair, celebrated war criminal, and calling yourself 'politically homeless' is in extremely poor taste, and that sense of being tone deaf only get worse the more you read.
He isn't a writer, and I dont know why he thought he could write a book.
Avoid.
January 5, 2024
Matt Forde correctly points out that factionalism is interlinked with people thinking that just because the people around you support a view - it means the rest of the country supports your view.
He underscores the Lefts strange relationship with the Lib Dems, who Labour seem to dislike more than the Tories.
He adds that the Left makes the annual Labour Party conference a fraught affair because of the power of the ruling committee, creating a showdown every year between members who vote on key issues, while the Tory conference is positively mundane.
He highlights a great way to prove peoples’ hysteria about immigration wrong when you hear people say that they do not like all these illegal immigrants, ask which ones they mean and how you would report about these illegal immigrants. It's a great way to prove to somebody that illegal immigrants means that they do not like Poles.
Key rules in politics:
If your opponent’s say you are pedophile never respond by saying that you are not.
Answer the question that you want to ask, not the question that you are asked.
Journalists are lazy - always write what you want them to say about you - so that all they have to do is some minor edits.
Tailor your message to your audience, something Boris J is extremely good at. When speaking to Brexiteers talk about the WW2 and how Great Britain is - when speaking to One Nation Conservatives (Liberal Tories) then talk about how much you love Europe, and want to remain friends with them.
Avoid saying these phrases:
We stand with
The squeezed middle
From Durham to Dundee (avoid any form of alliteration)
Hold their feet to the fire.
Putting the government on notice
The best of us
Change for you
He underscores the Lefts strange relationship with the Lib Dems, who Labour seem to dislike more than the Tories.
He adds that the Left makes the annual Labour Party conference a fraught affair because of the power of the ruling committee, creating a showdown every year between members who vote on key issues, while the Tory conference is positively mundane.
He highlights a great way to prove peoples’ hysteria about immigration wrong when you hear people say that they do not like all these illegal immigrants, ask which ones they mean and how you would report about these illegal immigrants. It's a great way to prove to somebody that illegal immigrants means that they do not like Poles.
Key rules in politics:
If your opponent’s say you are pedophile never respond by saying that you are not.
Answer the question that you want to ask, not the question that you are asked.
Journalists are lazy - always write what you want them to say about you - so that all they have to do is some minor edits.
Tailor your message to your audience, something Boris J is extremely good at. When speaking to Brexiteers talk about the WW2 and how Great Britain is - when speaking to One Nation Conservatives (Liberal Tories) then talk about how much you love Europe, and want to remain friends with them.
Avoid saying these phrases:
We stand with
The squeezed middle
From Durham to Dundee (avoid any form of alliteration)
Hold their feet to the fire.
Putting the government on notice
The best of us
Change for you
February 27, 2021
Audiobook in the £3 sale that I whipped through doing the decorating at home.
Matt Forde’s podcasts are good. I don’t dislike him. However, this book is awful. It reads as a hagiography to Blair and the EU, with, admittedly, some funny stories thrown in.
The book is marred by its hypocrisies. In the opening chapter, the author says how it is important in politics to not be ideological and why it is important to change your mindset. He denotes an entire chapter to this. The entire premise of the book from that point on is to run down Brexit, pedestal the EU and then in the conclusion discuss rejoining the EU and the strategy to undertake.
You also get a glimpse into the mindset of the centrist authoritarian. Forde claims that a good political leader should expel dissenters to send a message to the rest that dissent will not be tolerated.
It’s ironic that those who use the words, progressive and moderate on repeat are the ones who produce passages that would not be out of place in Mein Kampf.
It contains some good stories so probably worth reading if you are into British politics from 2000-2015. If not then avoid this book.
Matt Forde’s podcasts are good. I don’t dislike him. However, this book is awful. It reads as a hagiography to Blair and the EU, with, admittedly, some funny stories thrown in.
The book is marred by its hypocrisies. In the opening chapter, the author says how it is important in politics to not be ideological and why it is important to change your mindset. He denotes an entire chapter to this. The entire premise of the book from that point on is to run down Brexit, pedestal the EU and then in the conclusion discuss rejoining the EU and the strategy to undertake.
You also get a glimpse into the mindset of the centrist authoritarian. Forde claims that a good political leader should expel dissenters to send a message to the rest that dissent will not be tolerated.
It’s ironic that those who use the words, progressive and moderate on repeat are the ones who produce passages that would not be out of place in Mein Kampf.
It contains some good stories so probably worth reading if you are into British politics from 2000-2015. If not then avoid this book.
June 20, 2022
A really honest and impactful read. My politics don't align with Matt in many areas, but my principals do. The ability to disagree agreeably appears to have all but vanished in the UK in recent years. It's refreshing to hear from someone who is so understanding of other people's views, and has a sense of humour about it. This is a perfect read for anyone who loves politics but has become so angry with the direction of the UK in recent years. I also think there are parts to this book that would really appeal to readers outside the UK who wish to understand more about the UK political system and its struggles since the Blair years. Bravo Matt
April 30, 2021
I try to avoid politics because it is all pervading. The last eleven years has been so depressing, I was worried that I wouldn’t enjoy this at all. It was the title that spoke to me. I feel like no one represents me and that when I vote, I vote against who I definitely don’t want. If “Politically homeless” is how you feel, give this a go. I don’t always agree with his assessment but he captures the political landscape of the last twenty years well.
July 14, 2021
Excellent, easy to read book - clear flowing explanations of how we've ended up in this political mess, better than many other analyses I've read. Should be required reading for anyone interested in politics, regardless of your allegiances.
October 25, 2020
Genuinely appalling
October 10, 2025
I read this book because I felt the same as the title. I still feel the same but I no longer feel alone in that. Great book for those that care about politics but are not partisan.
May 22, 2022
This was an accessible and easy read but too concise for me, making lots of assertions without the evidence to back it up or being generally quite vague. It was interesting to get a view of politics from someone who was never so big a figure that they had to protect high-ranking allies or their own record in office, and it appeared to be an honest account - it was just lacking something.
When browsing through the TV schedule recently I found out there are two Matt Fordes in comedy - the "hilarious" one who was to appear on a comedy show, and the middling impressionist who wrote this book. The humorous bits weren't my cup of tea really, this part of a paragraph emblematic of writing that I found annoying rather than funny: "...Wayne Rooney's wages and she managed to link it back to Genesis. The book in the bible, not the prog-rock band, even though that would have made more sense. I can't remember her point now, maybe it was that on the seventh day God rested by watching Super Sunday on Sky Sports. Probably on his tablet." I can see what's meant to be funny, but it didn't resonate with me, and I much prefered the more serious parts about his time in politics.
Without diving too deeply into procedure, I did get a feel for the realities of local politics and the behind-the-scenes reveals of photos that are taken for press or campaign literature. However he was dismissive of the left of the party without really explaining why, with references to crusty beard types and not why their political views were so bad - they might be, but Forde seemed to make the circular argument that good politicians are successful and successful politicians are good ones. He was at least specific when it came to Corbyn, about a tolerance of anti-semitism and his Brexit stances. He seems enthusiastic about Keir Starmer without really explaining why, though.
There was an interesting chapter about the mistakes candidates make in campaigning for leadership or a seat in an election, and it was the specific insights that were worth reading. There were times when I found myself agreeing with him, such as him dismissing the idea that if only poor people stopped reading The Sun, they would all vote Labour like they ought to according to some idealistic Labour members. However he never really put forward what his own political views were. He's allowed to do that, but if you leave a party because of the direction they are taking, you need to do more than give general platitudes as to what you want. Focus on getting elected by all means, but I would like to have been told what Forde actually wanted to do with that power before compromising, rather than just chastising easy targets.
This was presumably short so as not to put readers off, but I would have preferred more details in either his criticisms or proposed solutions, so that I could understand why he felt like he had to leave the Labour party. As noted above, his humour annoyed me and although there were insightful sections the overall book had the potential to be a lot better.
When browsing through the TV schedule recently I found out there are two Matt Fordes in comedy - the "hilarious" one who was to appear on a comedy show, and the middling impressionist who wrote this book. The humorous bits weren't my cup of tea really, this part of a paragraph emblematic of writing that I found annoying rather than funny: "...Wayne Rooney's wages and she managed to link it back to Genesis. The book in the bible, not the prog-rock band, even though that would have made more sense. I can't remember her point now, maybe it was that on the seventh day God rested by watching Super Sunday on Sky Sports. Probably on his tablet." I can see what's meant to be funny, but it didn't resonate with me, and I much prefered the more serious parts about his time in politics.
Without diving too deeply into procedure, I did get a feel for the realities of local politics and the behind-the-scenes reveals of photos that are taken for press or campaign literature. However he was dismissive of the left of the party without really explaining why, with references to crusty beard types and not why their political views were so bad - they might be, but Forde seemed to make the circular argument that good politicians are successful and successful politicians are good ones. He was at least specific when it came to Corbyn, about a tolerance of anti-semitism and his Brexit stances. He seems enthusiastic about Keir Starmer without really explaining why, though.
There was an interesting chapter about the mistakes candidates make in campaigning for leadership or a seat in an election, and it was the specific insights that were worth reading. There were times when I found myself agreeing with him, such as him dismissing the idea that if only poor people stopped reading The Sun, they would all vote Labour like they ought to according to some idealistic Labour members. However he never really put forward what his own political views were. He's allowed to do that, but if you leave a party because of the direction they are taking, you need to do more than give general platitudes as to what you want. Focus on getting elected by all means, but I would like to have been told what Forde actually wanted to do with that power before compromising, rather than just chastising easy targets.
This was presumably short so as not to put readers off, but I would have preferred more details in either his criticisms or proposed solutions, so that I could understand why he felt like he had to leave the Labour party. As noted above, his humour annoyed me and although there were insightful sections the overall book had the potential to be a lot better.
December 14, 2022
As a currently somewhat disillusioned member of the Labour Party, the title and blurb ('how a love of politics turned into a nightmare') of this book enticed me. Having been an active member for many years, I thought it was an accurate depiction of meetings, canvassing and campaigning sessions and especially of the sense of tribalism amongst the most ardent activists. The characters he described were so recognisable to me; his experiences were as funny as they were true. There's no denying that Matt Forde worked hard for the party: I can't see many people dressing up as a chicken to heckle the opposition!
Many parts of his story were poignant, including his recognition that 'standing for public office...is an exposing experience. It takes guts to submit yourself and your opinions to public judgement and ridicule'. Oh, I know, Matt: I stood as the general election candidate in a very safe Tory seat in 2019!
He's also quite right that we should all give much more credit to the last Labour government: 'the minimum wage and tax credits helped reduce economic inequality...investment in the NHS helped reduce waiting times form over thirteen weeks to four weeks, and improvements were made in cancer ace and tackling heart disease...the huge leap in educational attainment'...etc.
However, what I didn't like was his constantly flowing diatribe towards the left of the party, after saying several times that we should all be open to all sides of the debate. I also disagree with him that the BBC is impartial: it isn't! Ask Mick Lynch!
Nevertheless, I cannot deny that he learned a great deal during his years working for the party and his advice ‘you have to be talking to voters all year round’ rings true. Politicians and campaigners shouldn’t just pop up every four or five years; they should be in constant dialogue with the public. Despite Matt’s lefty bashing, today’s activists can learn a lot from him.
Overall, I did enjoy it and have passed it on to a friend, as it was passed to me.
Many parts of his story were poignant, including his recognition that 'standing for public office...is an exposing experience. It takes guts to submit yourself and your opinions to public judgement and ridicule'. Oh, I know, Matt: I stood as the general election candidate in a very safe Tory seat in 2019!
He's also quite right that we should all give much more credit to the last Labour government: 'the minimum wage and tax credits helped reduce economic inequality...investment in the NHS helped reduce waiting times form over thirteen weeks to four weeks, and improvements were made in cancer ace and tackling heart disease...the huge leap in educational attainment'...etc.
However, what I didn't like was his constantly flowing diatribe towards the left of the party, after saying several times that we should all be open to all sides of the debate. I also disagree with him that the BBC is impartial: it isn't! Ask Mick Lynch!
Nevertheless, I cannot deny that he learned a great deal during his years working for the party and his advice ‘you have to be talking to voters all year round’ rings true. Politicians and campaigners shouldn’t just pop up every four or five years; they should be in constant dialogue with the public. Despite Matt’s lefty bashing, today’s activists can learn a lot from him.
Overall, I did enjoy it and have passed it on to a friend, as it was passed to me.
June 3, 2023
Politically Homeless is an easy and enjoyable read, written by comedian/podcaster and ex-Labour staffer Matt Forde.
Forde is always at his most interesting when he's recounting various political episodes, from his early, naive and brief membership of the SWP, through his experiences as a Labour regional organiser and eventually Mayor's assistant, and his ongoing Political Party event/podcast.
His reminiscences on the nature of politics in practice will be recognisable to anyone who's had some level of involvement (in the UK, at least), even if some of the episodes he recounts are particularly grim. From members of the public angry at a new school to factional infighting, British politics in its day to day reality outside of Westminster is on display here.
Where he's less good as is a sort of representative for the viewpoint of Labour centrists. I have a lot of sympathy for many of his various positions - that Labour needs to win to do good, that pragmatism is important in politics, that the Blair and Brown governments did a lot of good for the poorest in Britain.
But he struggles to really move beyond the clichés of this viewpoint. He believes that politicians should put country before party, but lambasts figures like Ed Miliband and the soft left for failing to put party first in their decision-making. Never mind the possibility that they were putting what they thought was right first.
Ultimately a great weakness of many Labour centrists is that they assume their political positions have an objectivity to people who don't share their viewpoint, and that their political heroes like David Milliband would certainly have been much better leaders (maybe - but it isn't obvious to me). And Forde in drawing on these narratives falls prey to this in some of his analysis.
Nonetheless, as both political memoir and articulation of the politics of Labour centrism in the era of Corbyn (and especially of how disillusioning that period was), this book is a fun read for any politico.
Forde is always at his most interesting when he's recounting various political episodes, from his early, naive and brief membership of the SWP, through his experiences as a Labour regional organiser and eventually Mayor's assistant, and his ongoing Political Party event/podcast.
His reminiscences on the nature of politics in practice will be recognisable to anyone who's had some level of involvement (in the UK, at least), even if some of the episodes he recounts are particularly grim. From members of the public angry at a new school to factional infighting, British politics in its day to day reality outside of Westminster is on display here.
Where he's less good as is a sort of representative for the viewpoint of Labour centrists. I have a lot of sympathy for many of his various positions - that Labour needs to win to do good, that pragmatism is important in politics, that the Blair and Brown governments did a lot of good for the poorest in Britain.
But he struggles to really move beyond the clichés of this viewpoint. He believes that politicians should put country before party, but lambasts figures like Ed Miliband and the soft left for failing to put party first in their decision-making. Never mind the possibility that they were putting what they thought was right first.
Ultimately a great weakness of many Labour centrists is that they assume their political positions have an objectivity to people who don't share their viewpoint, and that their political heroes like David Milliband would certainly have been much better leaders (maybe - but it isn't obvious to me). And Forde in drawing on these narratives falls prey to this in some of his analysis.
Nonetheless, as both political memoir and articulation of the politics of Labour centrism in the era of Corbyn (and especially of how disillusioning that period was), this book is a fun read for any politico.
November 9, 2023
My husband listened to Matt Forde's audio recording of his book and I kept hearing snippets. And that was all it took for me to start the book myself. I wouldn't have thought a political book could be particularly amusing, but Matt Forde is wonderfully open about some of his experiences and this, coupled with his great sense of humour, make this book genuinely funny.
Matt Forde by his own admission is obsessed by politics. He loves the whole working of the political system and in particular is really interested by the people who become involved in politics. He is interested in their story and why they have developed allegiance to one party or another. Forde himself is a Blairite, but what is so very refreshing is that he is interested in people of all political backgrounds. In fact he says that he finds it almost more interesting to talk to someone from a different party as he wants to know their thinking. He is very open to hearing different ideas and remembers that there is a person behind each politician.
If you have any interest in politics I really recommend this book. It explores, from an insider's point of view, some of the huge political issues of recent years: the tensions within the labour party, Scottish independence referendum and Brexit. The book will make you laugh but also want to weep at some of the ineptitude and people's inability to put aside personal issues for a greater good. Matt Forde became interested in politics as a means to make things better and yet so often in his book we hear about the politics getting in the way of improvement.
I haven't heard any of Forde's podcasts but will definitely be checking them out now. His message is that we would do well to listen to each other and find out about each other. There is merit in sharing ideas and in the end there we may find we have more in common with people from other political parties than we realised.
Matt Forde by his own admission is obsessed by politics. He loves the whole working of the political system and in particular is really interested by the people who become involved in politics. He is interested in their story and why they have developed allegiance to one party or another. Forde himself is a Blairite, but what is so very refreshing is that he is interested in people of all political backgrounds. In fact he says that he finds it almost more interesting to talk to someone from a different party as he wants to know their thinking. He is very open to hearing different ideas and remembers that there is a person behind each politician.
If you have any interest in politics I really recommend this book. It explores, from an insider's point of view, some of the huge political issues of recent years: the tensions within the labour party, Scottish independence referendum and Brexit. The book will make you laugh but also want to weep at some of the ineptitude and people's inability to put aside personal issues for a greater good. Matt Forde became interested in politics as a means to make things better and yet so often in his book we hear about the politics getting in the way of improvement.
I haven't heard any of Forde's podcasts but will definitely be checking them out now. His message is that we would do well to listen to each other and find out about each other. There is merit in sharing ideas and in the end there we may find we have more in common with people from other political parties than we realised.
November 11, 2022
Following the recent political mess the UK has found itself in I fancied reading a political book that could potentially restore my faith in the sanity of politicians. Although this book ticked all the boxes I hesitated before purchasing as I previously hadn't been too keen on Matt Forde's mix of politics and comedy on podcasts and appearances I had seen. However I was completely wrong to hesitate on this book as the mix works really well, the comedy alleviates the book above just being another dry political book and provides a much needed friendly tone.
The book is a part memoir of Matt's political life covering his early experiences which led to the formation of his political beliefs and part political insight. I thought the two were balanced well and the friendly conversational tone that Matt used helped make this an easy read. Matt talks about his early experiences within the Labour Party in the early 2000's and tracks it through to the Corbyn years (the book ends around 2020) as the years progress Matt's passion for the Labour Party decreases until he feels politically homeless. If you are looking for comfort amongst the current political whirlwind in the UK, this book won't provide it, if I'm honest it probably made me feel worse about the competence of politicians.
Although not the main point of the book I particularly enjoyed reading Matt's opinions about the impact of the rise of social media on politics both in the UK and America, in particular how it has led to people only reading/hearing the opinions of those that they agree with and how instead we should open ourselves up to view alternative opinions in order to learn.
I've read quite a few reviews of this book saying that Matt praises Tony Blair too much and criticises Jeremy Corbyn too much, I would argue that whilst both these things occur it is to be expected as it is part-memoir and Matt is obviously going praise/criticise those who he has strong feelings about. Matt backs all his opinions up with the reasons why he has those opinions, those opinions aren't going to be held by all readers (including myself) as politics is always going to be a divisive subject.
Recommended to anyone with an interest in UK politics.
The book is a part memoir of Matt's political life covering his early experiences which led to the formation of his political beliefs and part political insight. I thought the two were balanced well and the friendly conversational tone that Matt used helped make this an easy read. Matt talks about his early experiences within the Labour Party in the early 2000's and tracks it through to the Corbyn years (the book ends around 2020) as the years progress Matt's passion for the Labour Party decreases until he feels politically homeless. If you are looking for comfort amongst the current political whirlwind in the UK, this book won't provide it, if I'm honest it probably made me feel worse about the competence of politicians.
Although not the main point of the book I particularly enjoyed reading Matt's opinions about the impact of the rise of social media on politics both in the UK and America, in particular how it has led to people only reading/hearing the opinions of those that they agree with and how instead we should open ourselves up to view alternative opinions in order to learn.
I've read quite a few reviews of this book saying that Matt praises Tony Blair too much and criticises Jeremy Corbyn too much, I would argue that whilst both these things occur it is to be expected as it is part-memoir and Matt is obviously going praise/criticise those who he has strong feelings about. Matt backs all his opinions up with the reasons why he has those opinions, those opinions aren't going to be held by all readers (including myself) as politics is always going to be a divisive subject.
Recommended to anyone with an interest in UK politics.
October 18, 2020
I’ve been a follower of Matt Force’s work for a few years, enjoying his podcast, TV show and live gigs. So I was really looking forward to this.
But looking forward in trepidation. Books by people you admire in other fields of entertainment can often let you down (see my reviews of efforts by Billy Connolly and Chrissie Hynde). Comedians often try too hard to be funny in a format where humour works differently. As a result, it often falls flat.
There are a few signs of that in this book but fortunately the forced jokes are outweighed by a more natural humour elsewhere. I rarely laugh out loud at something in a book (despite the inevitable review promising side splitting guffaws) but I did reading this. A couple of times.
It’s an interesting challenge balancing serious political insight with humour and light hearted campaign stories. It means that there are two different books here and a focus on one or the other may have been better. But it’s still an excellent read, both enjoyable and eye opening even for those who follow politics.
But looking forward in trepidation. Books by people you admire in other fields of entertainment can often let you down (see my reviews of efforts by Billy Connolly and Chrissie Hynde). Comedians often try too hard to be funny in a format where humour works differently. As a result, it often falls flat.
There are a few signs of that in this book but fortunately the forced jokes are outweighed by a more natural humour elsewhere. I rarely laugh out loud at something in a book (despite the inevitable review promising side splitting guffaws) but I did reading this. A couple of times.
It’s an interesting challenge balancing serious political insight with humour and light hearted campaign stories. It means that there are two different books here and a focus on one or the other may have been better. But it’s still an excellent read, both enjoyable and eye opening even for those who follow politics.
February 28, 2021
In 'Politically Homeless', comedian Matt Forde shares the story of his years growing up as a political obsessive, working for the Labour Party, moving in wider political circles through his Political Party podcast and becoming increasingly frustrated and disillusioned with the state of modern politics.
This was always going to be an easy sell to me - I'm pretty much the same age as the author, have shared some similar experiences and views politically, and certainly the same disappointments, especially with Labour in recent years. So of course I found a lot to like and empathise with here. Forde makes his arguments well, but keeps the tone accessible and light, even as he vents his frustrations on some pretty serious issues. As a book it's hard to pigeonhole - it's part-memoir, part-polemic, part-comedy, and admittedly at times I wished it would settle down a little into one thing or the other - but it is certainly very enjoyable stuff, and I can think of many friends I'll be recommending this to.
This was always going to be an easy sell to me - I'm pretty much the same age as the author, have shared some similar experiences and views politically, and certainly the same disappointments, especially with Labour in recent years. So of course I found a lot to like and empathise with here. Forde makes his arguments well, but keeps the tone accessible and light, even as he vents his frustrations on some pretty serious issues. As a book it's hard to pigeonhole - it's part-memoir, part-polemic, part-comedy, and admittedly at times I wished it would settle down a little into one thing or the other - but it is certainly very enjoyable stuff, and I can think of many friends I'll be recommending this to.
June 13, 2021
Matt Forde's Politically Homeless is, unashamedly, a lament for the decline of British politics since New Labour. Forde's practiced humour ("Even Bin Laden allowed himself the odd wank") makes it a charming and convincing narrative, albeit probably only for the already sympathetic reader. A quick read, the book relays Forde's political background and his working class upbringing in Nottingham. He recounts some of the more entertaining anecdotes from his time as a Labour staffer during the Blair and Brown eras. Chicken suits, cock ups and late nights all make an appearance. Later chapters give Forde's perspective on how radicals on the right and left found their way to the top of British politics. His chapter on the BNP in Stoke is particularly enlightening and disturbing. It's obviously a single perspective, and I expect the author would admit that he often strains at the limits of his own advice when it comes to giving your opponent's views a fair hearing, but overall this is a pleasant, entertaining and thought-provoking read.
February 16, 2021
I only laughed-out-loud once...
I love his podcast, and the podcast chapter was my laugh-out-loud moment. The book will be a good historical document in 50 years or so for people wondering how the country (countries?) lost its way, but it meanders everywhere whilst going nowhere I had’t been before.
To be brutally honest, I don’t rate him much as a comedian although he does a few good impersonations: obviously these come across badly in text; perhaps I should have got the audio version instead? For me, he is one of the great political interviewers of the age so I hope this lessens the personal impact to him of any criticisms inherent in this review.
Do read the book if you want an introduction to the dark and silly side of British politics, but if you listen to as many political podcasts as I do (10 hours or more per week), give it a miss: you’ve already heard the best bits.
I love his podcast, and the podcast chapter was my laugh-out-loud moment. The book will be a good historical document in 50 years or so for people wondering how the country (countries?) lost its way, but it meanders everywhere whilst going nowhere I had’t been before.
To be brutally honest, I don’t rate him much as a comedian although he does a few good impersonations: obviously these come across badly in text; perhaps I should have got the audio version instead? For me, he is one of the great political interviewers of the age so I hope this lessens the personal impact to him of any criticisms inherent in this review.
Do read the book if you want an introduction to the dark and silly side of British politics, but if you listen to as many political podcasts as I do (10 hours or more per week), give it a miss: you’ve already heard the best bits.
October 21, 2020
Matt Forde is a former Labour Party activist and employee who has turned his politics obsession into a successful second career as a stand-up comic. He's very good at this. He also has a podcast I enjoy, where he interviews political figures sometimes in a live setting. It has a wide ranging guest list who cover all manner of topics, usually in an interesting way. It's why I bought the book.
The main trouble is, as he admits, that he was approached to write the book, then wrote it during lockdown (in between podcasts recorded over Zoom). So it's a book he had no clear urge to write, put down in a matter of months. It shows. It is rushed, and rambles. The secondary issue is that being a political fanboy doesn't qualify you for political analysis. But that's a secondary problem.
I'm probably being kind with 2 stars. But his podcast (The Political Party) is eclectic and excellent.
The main trouble is, as he admits, that he was approached to write the book, then wrote it during lockdown (in between podcasts recorded over Zoom). So it's a book he had no clear urge to write, put down in a matter of months. It shows. It is rushed, and rambles. The secondary issue is that being a political fanboy doesn't qualify you for political analysis. But that's a secondary problem.
I'm probably being kind with 2 stars. But his podcast (The Political Party) is eclectic and excellent.
June 2, 2021
An excellent book and for someone who's political leaning are definitely 'the middle ground' I found Matt to be honest, articulate and laugh out loud funny in places. A real insight to not only the life of the boots on the ground political activist but also the political tribalism and in fighting that takes place in every party at every level. Some of the goings on actually beggar belief and had my checking the 'virtual' back of the book, I listened to it as an audio book, to make sure this wasn't fiction.I'm sure supports of various factions within the Labour Party especially, will take offence to the comments about the Milliband and Corbyn years, okay maybe not Milliband, but I found Matt's commentary to be an honest cry from the heart of a social democrat who saw the party he was enthralled with self destruct. And excellent read
November 21, 2021
There is much to enjoy in this book. It must be difficult to write from a Blairite perspective but Forde gives it a right go and there is so much to agree with. His main point, listen to opposing viewpoint, is well written as is his analysis of local politics and local activists . There are lots of things I disagree with his analysis of Brexit and Brexit supporters is miles of the mark as is understanding of racism in society both of which surprise me if he really did have the working class Nottingham upbringing that he claims. I also did not see how he went from doing a bit of work experience to landing a job with the Labour Party. From what I've seen those kind of leaps don't just happen. I think Mr Forde is not being entirely truthful in something in those early years. That all said , its amusing and illuminating in many areas and really worth a read.
May 30, 2021
Good left wing Nottingham boy — what’s not to love?!
I really really enjoyed this memoir as an audiobook. Matt Fforde’s narration was so engaging and authentic - there’s nothing like someone reading their own work. It was like breathing a sigh of relief hearing his soft Nottingham accent.
I can see some scathing reviews and understand that comes from differing political views - but the whole point of what Fforde says throughout the book is of collaboration and listening. He couldn’t be further from being a Tory, but he is and has been in constant dialogue with right-wingers, in order to understand what has radicalised them. It’s so vital.
I thought this book was great! Will be on the lookout for more from him.
October 17, 2020
I’m a huge fan of the Political Party podcast so felt duty bound to buy this book. I want to be generous in my review because of that but if I’m brutally honest it’s a pretty thin book comprising a modest collection of amusing anecdotes (plus one stonker - the Evian story that I’ve definitely heard him tell somewhere else). I feel I’ve got many more such stories myself from private office days in Government.
So buy the book and be mildly amused but better still subscribe to the podcast and listen to some of the old classic episodes if you’ve not heard them before.
So buy the book and be mildly amused but better still subscribe to the podcast and listen to some of the old classic episodes if you’ve not heard them before.
March 27, 2021
I enjoyed this book. My only criticism is that it seemed on the short side, not that further expounding on its message would have been worthwhile, but more anecdotes would have been fine. It’s also more overtly Blairite than even I was expecting (being of a broadly similar persuasion and already being aware of Matt Forde’s politics), so for some readers I imagine that could be offputting. I still think the points made are compelling though and it’s funny enough to be worth reading regardless of your politics.
April 23, 2021
This is a fascinating insight into the workings of the labour movement from someone involved in the grassroots who also happens to be a successful comedian and communicator. He makes no attempt to hide his own centre-left politics but doesn't push his ideology as much as his passion for pragmatism for getting things done. As someone from a deprived background he has a platform and voice worth listening to. This is a witty, heart-felt, compelling account of how politics got into the mess it's in and what's needed to get it out.
May 20, 2021
Listened to the audio version.
Covers Matt Forde's political journey from the early 90's onwards. Plenty of humour; some jokes land better than others. Contains elements of advice, anecdotes and opinion. Generally praises Brown / Blair and quite critical of the leaders then on, save Starmer.
It's quite clearly written in the middle of the pandemic and some great insights are revealed. Not sure I agree with everything.
Only 3 stars because the purpose of the book is not clear.
Would read from the author again.
Covers Matt Forde's political journey from the early 90's onwards. Plenty of humour; some jokes land better than others. Contains elements of advice, anecdotes and opinion. Generally praises Brown / Blair and quite critical of the leaders then on, save Starmer.
It's quite clearly written in the middle of the pandemic and some great insights are revealed. Not sure I agree with everything.
Only 3 stars because the purpose of the book is not clear.
Would read from the author again.
October 26, 2020
Political wit
This book resonated with me as I feel politically homeless too. In an age of extreme populism we desperately need moderation. I still haven’t rejoined the Labour Party as I still think there’s more to do to get rid of the tainted Corbyn ideology. I also despair at the awful populist right. Ultimately we have to join with the moderates from both parties and create something far better.
This book resonated with me as I feel politically homeless too. In an age of extreme populism we desperately need moderation. I still haven’t rejoined the Labour Party as I still think there’s more to do to get rid of the tainted Corbyn ideology. I also despair at the awful populist right. Ultimately we have to join with the moderates from both parties and create something far better.
January 7, 2021
To start with this was a very difficult read for me. I knew Matt when he worked for the LP as I was doing a similar job in the West Midlands. I knew some of the incidents and people he talks about. I didn’t realise his politics are virtually identical to mine and having the failures of successive leaders after Tony Blair, and the descent of the LP so accurately charted was awful. But I felt it ended on an optimistic note. PS I haven’t left the LP.
March 14, 2021
I think this gets a 3.5?
I came to Politically Homeless as a big fan of Matt Forde's standup - his shows in 2018 and 2019 made my Fringe both times. I did enjoy this book but I'm not sure what it is trying to be. Part memoir, part comedic commentary, part political critique? I'm not sure, the book felt a bit homeless to me. I enjoyed the anecdotes and nice to hear another perspectives on politics before I was properly conscious. Needless to say, my parents loved this one.
I came to Politically Homeless as a big fan of Matt Forde's standup - his shows in 2018 and 2019 made my Fringe both times. I did enjoy this book but I'm not sure what it is trying to be. Part memoir, part comedic commentary, part political critique? I'm not sure, the book felt a bit homeless to me. I enjoyed the anecdotes and nice to hear another perspectives on politics before I was properly conscious. Needless to say, my parents loved this one.
January 2, 2022
Overall quite funny. Although I agreed with many points, I found there was too much exaggeration, making points absurd rather than
explanatory. It was also structured in a 'how to' way giving you information useful for joining politics. Personally, I was not looking for this information and so did not relate to this. I much preferred the humour and personal anecdotes of the book. I would still say it was a good, easy read.
explanatory. It was also structured in a 'how to' way giving you information useful for joining politics. Personally, I was not looking for this information and so did not relate to this. I much preferred the humour and personal anecdotes of the book. I would still say it was a good, easy read.
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