The discussion about whether Labour is left-wing enough is proof that the Labour party is mad The idea that the Tories won the election because Labour wasn't left enough is misunderstanding the people to a wilfully ignorant level: they voted Tory, for god's sake! But some people can't accept that.
I like being around people who are a bit odd I've met Nigel Farage a few times and he is very good company, and there's a part of him that's absolute crackers. If I had to spend a year on a desert island with any politician, it would be him. It would be non-stop partying, as he'd be fermenting pineapple and making moonshine. The irony would be that if we were marooned on an island, we would be the immigrants.
Hosting a late-night phone-in toughens you up quickly The first couple of months I was on talkSport, there was such a barrage of forceful, irrational stuff, it had an effect on me. Then you realise these people aren't really angry at you, they're angry for other reasons. The most memorable rant I had was an eight-minute tirade from a guy called Jonathan from Swansea. He began, "I'd just like to tell you that you're the worst presenter on radio ever, you are a talentless liar, a shameless, sycophantic sell-out with a jelly spine and a mush mind and we hate you." It's one of the best rants you will ever hear.
Mobile phones should not have loud speakers It encourages antisocial behaviour on public transport. It's my pet hate: hearing crap R'n'B when you're on the bus. It takes a lot of guts to ask them to stop playing it, especially if it's a group of lads – I've stopped doing it, as I realised I'd get my head kicked in one day. Though I was on a train once and someone was playing "The Gambler" by Kenny Rogers, and it was brilliant… maybe if they played good music I wouldn't feel the same way.
Nothing gives me the enjoyment football does I'm almost ashamed of myself for not having grown out of [watching] it: society expects you to; certainly my mum does. But there is elation in a goal – particularly if it's against a rival or you're up against relegation. I've never had that intense outburst of energy from anything else.
Payday loan ads wind me up What annoys me is that they're so aspirational, showing people in nice houses with double glazing and a conservatory and a nice car, and their 2.4 children. I'm sure that's not the reality of people who have payday loans. It's almost saying, posh people have them as well, it's fine, don't worry!
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I've always had a deep fear of homelessness My mum has always worked at a charity shop connected to a shelter in Nottingham, so from a young age I could see people whose lives were not on track and the effect drink and drugs had. It occurred to me how fragile we are. I remember seeing a picture of Prince Charles chatting to a homeless guy that he'd been to school with: if a guy who went to the same school as Prince Charles can end up on the street, it can happen to any of us.
I enjoy watching things that feel a little bit immoral The Jeremy Kyle Show is my sinful pleasure; I have the odd moral quandary about watching it, like with boxing, but it's an endless conveyor belt of drama. I grew up around a lot of people like those who appear and I think it's important that people see the harsh reality of British society.
A former political adviser to the Labour Party, Forde, 32, is an award-winning radio presenter, political comic and host of the live show 'The Political Party'. His latest show, 'Get the Political Party Started', is at the Cabaret Bar, Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh, at 3.50pm until 30 August (mattforde.com)
