But his act is not outwardly political is it... and it's quite obvious he's doing for comic effect. Challenging what he believes to be the beliefs of the audience and scratching beneath the surface.
That's the difference.
Have to massively disagree. There is nothing worse than observational comedy because bloody every other comedian does it these days.
Very few comedians use shock tactics for a laugh either. Audiences simply don't react to it, except for the odd exception.
Go and watch some comedy live. I think...
I'm a massive fan of Mark Thomas but having seen him live on a number of occasions I struggle to view him as an outwardly left wing comedian.
You really need to see him live, especially his last thing about his dying father. Very little politics there.