Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Geoff Norcott: Geofferendum

Award-winning comedian Geoff Norcott examines the limits to our belief in democracy, from the death penalty to town planning.

As a believer in democracy 鈥 and as someone who was on the winning side of the Brexit referendum 鈥 Geoff Norcott generally believes that if we, the people, vote for something, that thing should happen. But are there limits to Geoff鈥檚 belief in populism, as this is now sometimes called?

For example, opinion polls suggest that if there were to be a referendum on the death penalty, it would be brought back, despite disputes over its effectiveness. In America the individual right to an abortion has been taken away from women 鈥渄emocratically鈥 in some states, something Geoff views as abhorrent (not to mention unconservative). And there鈥檚 little doubt that if every new building had to be democratically approved, the United Kingdom may never build another house.

Geoff will see where his audience land on these issues, and work out if they 鈥 and he 鈥 actually have democratic principles at heart, or if they just want the world to be arranged the way they like it, no matter how inconsistent that might be.

Written and performed by Geoff Norcott
Produced by Ed Morrish
Executive Producer: Caroline Raphael
Sound Engineer: David Thomas
Broadcast Assistant: Jacob Tombling

A Pier production for 大象传媒 Radio 4

Release date:

29 minutes

Evil Genius with Russell Kane

Evil Genius with Russell Kane

It鈥檚 good, bad, ugly - and very very funny.

Friday Night Comedy from 大象传媒 Radio 4

Friday Night Comedy from 大象传媒 Radio 4

Download the best satirical comedy from Radio 4, every Friday.

Podcast