Mark Steel's in Toon

Post-Brexit, Edinburgh has become a safe haven for pro-EU voters spilling across our border. Many shows begin with a tribute to Scotland’s vote in the referendum. Of course we’re happy to have you (and not just to feel smug). After all, as Mark Steel points out, Scotland is a totally unified and undivided utopia. Plus, we love you English so, so much.

An Englishman coming to Edinburgh with a show about Scotland’s regional differences is incredibly brave, like Daniel making jokes about lions’ manes. But listeners to Mark Steel’s in Town on Radio 4 know there’s nothing to worry about here. Steel doesn’t temper his take-no-prisoners approach, but he backs it up with an eye for the absurd and a huge amount of research. Most comedians have some ‘local colour’ to sweeten crowds on the road, but Steel has turned this into an art form. 

Even locals are likely to learn something, and hearing gags this good about your hometown (or even better, Glasgow) is one of life’s purest pleasures. By the end Smith is preaching to the choir – not that that was ever going to be an issue for Mark Steel at the world’s largest festival of luvvies and lefties.

But this isn’t about political hectoring, or even stirring up local rivalries. Underneath the teasing there’s a subtle message about how all of these divisions—Orkney/Shetland, Edinburgh/Glasgow/Paisley and yes, Scotland/England—are ridiculous: a joke that can go too far. There are enough borders these days. Let’s not make any more.