Finding the BNP's funny bone

Being a doctor sets you up well for a career in stand-up comedy, at least that's the view of former GP Paul Sinha.

“Because it is such a stressful job, I think it makes it easier to deal with the stress of being a stand-up comedian,” said the 41-year-old, adding: “Whatever happens it's never as bad as what happens if you make a mistake as a doctor.”

Paul began stand-up around the same time he qualified as a medical doctor, in 1995, seeing patients during the day and dashing off to comedy gigs by night.

While he has since hung up his stethoscope to focus on a career as a full-time stand-up, Paul has not washed his hands of the social and political ills that blight society.

Indeed, racism and bigotry and the politicians who incite them form the cornerstone of his latest act Extreme Anti-White Vitriol, which is performed in Luxembourg on March 22.

The show centres around a radio debate in which Paul took on deputy of the British National Party (BNP) Simon Darby. The party had announced it would accept members from different ethnic origins and asked Paul if he would like to join, to which the comedian graciously declined.

“It was a big thing for me but it was nothing for him. In the world of politics I'm a mere insignificant speck,” said Paul, adding: “I know the deputy leader was astonished to find I had written a show based around it. He was planning to watch the show but he never came through on his threat.”

While Paul takes a concerned interest in the view of the British far-right, he modestly suggests that he lacks knowledge when it comes to expressing a political view. In his act, he describes his political opinions as “a mixture of pub banter and other people's Facebook status updates.”

That said, he has some strong views on politicians. He suggests that virtually all British politicians are “self-serving” and he'd never dream of becoming a politician himself.

Not that he would need to. With his solid stand-up experience, Paul's slick and entertaining acts, which bring the biggest bullies down a few pegs, are more likely to make people think twice before speaking than any anti-racism laws.

This was one of the reasons the comic was selected to appear in the Comedy for Peace line-up at the Abbaye de Neumunster.

“A comedian's job is to walk on stage and entertain. But if you've a message in your comedy, and I certainly do, then it's a lovely medium because you have this luxury of being allowed to say whatever you like. I have the microphone and the stage and the audience is hanging on every word. That's quite a responsibility,” said Paul.

“I don't think that anything I say will bring peace to the Middle East. But, I think the ability to laugh at yourself is extraordinarily important. One thing I do believe with a passion is we need to embrace life: the good and the bad. I think when I say something stupid it's a springboard to writing material or having a laugh about it.”

Paul Sinha performs in Luxembourg on March 22 as part of the Comedy for Peace line-up at the Abbaye de Neumunster. Tickets cost 20 euros.

Win tickets to see Paul Sinha perform live at the Abbaye

Wort.lu/en is giving away tickets to see Paul Sinha's show on March 22. To win, answer the following question.

What was the name of the BNP deputy who Paul spoke to on a radio debate?

Email your answers to wort-en@wort.lu marked Comedy for Peace in the subject. Please include your full name and contact telephone number. Entrants sending more than one entry will be excluded.