Frankie Boyle has never been one to shy away from taking on controversial topics, and his recent appearance on The Last Leg was no exception. The comedian, known for his acerbic wit and no-holds-barred approach to comedy, took aim at two of the UK’s most high-profile politicians, Matt Hancock and Keir Starmer, in a segment that left audiences both roaring with laughter and scratching their heads in disbelief.
Boyle’s first target was Matt Hancock, the UK’s Health Secretary, who has faced fierce criticism over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning with a pointed jab at Hancock’s appearance (“He looks like he’s trying to hide a hamster down his trousers”), Boyle then went on to attack the Minister’s competence in dealing with the crisis.
“Matt Hancock’s response to COVID has been like watching a toddler trying to build a Lego castle,” he quipped. “Except, in this case, the castle is a functioning healthcare system and the toddler is a grown man with access to unlimited resources.”
Boyle’s criticisms of Hancock went beyond just his handling of the pandemic, though. The comedian also took aim at the Health Secretary’s personal behavior, referencing reports that the Minister had breached social distancing rules by kissing a colleague.
“You know things are bad when even the person in charge of health and safety can’t follow the rules,” Boyle joked. “I mean, next week we’ll find out the Transport Secretary has been driving without a license.”
But Boyle wasn’t just targeting Conservatives – he also had some harsh words for Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party. In particular, Boyle took issue with what he saw as Starmer’s timidity and lack of vision, suggesting that the Labour leader was too focused on appeasing centrists rather than standing up for his principles.
“Keir Starmer’s like a vegetarian who’s constantly apologizing to meat-eaters,” Boyle said. “He’s too afraid to stand up for what he believes in, and it shows in his lackluster performance in the polls.”
Boyle’s comments about Starmer’s lack of vision were particularly cutting. “He’s like a man who buys a dilapidated house, promises to fix it up, and then spends all his time rearranging the furniture instead of doing the hard work of renovation.”
Of course, Boyle’s brand of comedy is not for everyone. Some viewers felt that his attacks on Hancock and Starmer were overly harsh, and that he was disrespecting the important work that these politicians were doing.
But others praised Boyle’s boldness and willingness to tackle difficult subjects head-on. By refusing to pull his punches or play it safe, Boyle brought a much-needed dose of honesty and humor to a political discourse that is often dry, stuffy, and inaccessible to ordinary people.
Ultimately, whether you agree with Frankie Boyle or not, there is no denying that his comedic style is unique and his insights are often perceptive. By encouraging us to laugh at our politicians and their foibles, Boyle reminds us that politics is ultimately about people – flawed, complex, and often ridiculous people who are just trying to do their best in an imperfect world.
In the end, perhaps it is through laughter and satire that we can begin to see our politicians in a different light – not as pompous demagogues or slick media personalities, but as human beings struggling to navigate the complicated and often thankless work of public service.
So, love him or hate him, one thing is clear – Frankie Boyle has once again shaken up our political discourse, and in doing so, he has reminded us of the power of comedy to challenge our assumptions, provoke our thinking, and bring us together in a shared sense of mirth and outrage.