HAVE you heard the one about the Labour Party comedy night? It’s called Stand up for Labour and has been taking place all over the country since last year.

It’s now coming to Southampton, to the Hanger Farm Arts Centre in Totton on Thursday. Featuring Radio 4 comedy writer Jessica Fostekew, political satirist Jeff Lane and Southampton’s own Colin Owens (winner of ‘Jimmy Carr’s Comedy Idol’), the night is hosted by Portsmouth’s Joe Wells, who is tipped to be the next big political comedian. Wells, who is still only 24, has performed at Stand up for Labour events all over the country (from Rotherham to Brighton) and, although he has had his political differences with the Labour Party, he has a great affection for the audiences he has performed to.

He sees comedy as a form of therapy during these times of austerity. “I think that good political comedy is cathartic for the performer and the audience; it’s about getting things off your chest in a way that won’t land you in prison,” he adds.