THERE’S something a bit masochistic about listening to Mhairi Black’s time in Westminster.
It features heavily in the ex-SNP MP’s Fringe debut, Politics Isn’t For Me. And however inane the tradition she shares, or infuriating the anecdote, you find yourself egging her on to tell you more.
And Mhairi certainly doesn’t hold back in her first foray into stand-up after announcing she was standing down as an MP last year.
Resembling more of a political TED talk at times – or “Ned talk”, as Mhairi puts it – its strength lies in the trademark forthright style and dry wit she put to good use in the House of Commons.
READ MORE: Mhairi Black takes on Tories over mass graves in Palestine
The entertaining hour-long show pulls back the curtain on the daily slog of being an MP, often sitting in the chamber for eight hours at a time without a bathroom break. “Everybody pocket-munches,” she said – sharing an anecdote about ex-DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr manspreading before then asking her: “Do you wanna sweetie?”
Her biggest critique is kept for Westminster’s archaic lobby-voting system, as well as how its wood-panelled walls and golden picture frames perfectly resemble Eton – where she once was invited to speak on Scottish independence. “It went as well as you’d think,” she said.
But Black’s show is more than just an expose of Westminster nonsense. “It’s live therapy,” she told the sold-out crowd at the start. “Not only am I going to pull back the curtain on what Westminster's really like, but also pull back the curtain on myself.”
She revealed for the first time that she has been diagnosed with ADHD. And speaks about her brother, with whom she has “one of those relationships where the darker and more twisted the insult, the more it comes from a place of love”.
The former MP also discussed a feud with Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, accusing him of bullying her despite knowing she had health issues. And takes aim at her other detractors – former SNP colleagues included.
The show ends with a call to arms, Mhairi arguing that people should engage more in politics.
“One of the things that Westminster thrives off is knowing that people are oblivious to what goes on in it,” she said.
It is clear that Mhairi is done with Westminster. With politics? Less so.
But after this barnstorming comic debut, she can rest assured that a career in stand up is also well within reach.
Mhairi Black’s Politics Isn’t For Me is at the Gilded Balloon at the Museum between 31 July and 25 August (except 12 and 13 August ) at 1.15pm each day.
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