I don't think he's 'pretending' to be anything other than a middle-aged, middle-class liberal-lefty type. And that's okay by me, because there are worse things to be, and he's cognizant of the fact and self-deprecating with it.

And Stewart Lee skewers Frankie Boyle pretty well himself in 'If You'd Prefer a Milder Comedian Please Ask For One'.

'Has he got a painting, Glasgow!? What he done himself!?'. Hahaha.

I actually quite like Frankie Boyle as well - he's even tweeted a link to my blog in the past, which indicates nothing if not good taste - but Lee is definitely a cut above him in the stand-up stakes, regardless of their politics.