The Thought Police

Mike and Matt get stuck into the week's news including the fallout of the shocking death of George Floyd, US policing and racial tensions, the reaction of President Trump and the ongoing protests taking place across the USA. Other topics include food poisoning, the latest goings-on in Westminster, potential positives in the fight against coronavirus (but will we learn anything from it?), the histo...

Mike and Matt discuss Dominic Cummings' actions in the reasoned and measured way they've virtually made their trademark at this point - did he flout the regulations? Was he in the wrong? Or is it all just one big game? Also today they share their feelings about the coronavirus pandemic now that the first wave appears to be settling down - when will life go back to normal? Other topics include The...

Mike Graham and Matt Kelly discuss: the heat, being trapped in lockdown, your own kids taking liberties, Captain Tom, the clap for the NHS, Shoreditch, the pedestrianisation of London city centre, social-distancing, do-gooders, cycling to work, international travel, when clubs and bars might reopen, Michael Jordan and his extreme wealth and why a sense of achievement doesn't have to be financial....

Better late than never, Mike Graham (via studio) and Matt Kelly (via phone) are back in time for the weekend. They discuss: country life, the next steps of lockdown, shooting a gun, David Mamet movies, the complexities of the coronavirus crisis, being stuck inside with the same person, the antiquated art of cashing cheques, Alan Clark MP, the dearth of interesting ministers, Priti Patel's whereabo...

Mike and Matt are back to help relieve some lockdown boredom as we enter week seven! Today's news and views include: the stress of being housebound and seeing too much (or too little) family, the broadband situation in Norfolk (spoiler: it's bleak), Nigel Farage's behaviour, preparing to coexist with the virus, how newspapers functioned before the Internet, Hugh Grant and the hooker, Mark Di Stefa...

Mike and Matt are back to help relieve the lockdown boredom as they get stuck into the week's political news. The reappearance of Boris Johnson, never taking a day off work, the unhealthy nature of the gambling industry, why Las Vegas is not all it's cracked up to be, being fleeced by energy companies, projections on when restrictions might be lifted, and Alaskan cruises are the cards being dealt...

Mike and Matt return to deliver the most biting comment and opinion on the week's news as you've come to expect by now. The unfair dismissal claim against Priti Patel, income tax demands, the latest chapter in the farcical Harry & Meghan story, lockdown frustrations (especially for the pets) and the tough environment for journalists are the items on the docket.  Subscribe from your favourite p...

Mike Graham and Matt Kelly reconvene as coronavirus-related lockdown continues to discuss the impact social distancing measures may have on kids, the idiots who are taking to the streets despite warnings and how other countries are dealing more severely with flouting offenders. There's also room for other matters such as the latest Labour gaffe, not being a local in an area full of locals, being c...

Mike and Matt are back via long distance communication as we enter week 3 of lockdown. But what will the other side look like after we're through with the coronavirus crisis? What tips do the Thought Police have for entertaining yourself while shacked up at home? And what do they most miss about normal life? Find out here. Also up for discussion are Peter Hitchens, Marco Pierre White, MG's new coo...

Despite location restrictions, Mike Graham (in studio) and Matt Kelly (self-isolating at home - via phone) still manage to come together for a meeting of minds as they discuss the latest goings on with the coronavirus pandemic. How will the world operate on the other side? Why do certain people change their behaviour so dramatically during times like these? How have the government reacted? And wha...

Matt and Mike discuss MG's recent illness, being useless around the house, lackadaisical handymen, mixed dining experiences, posh party invites and gin.  Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP. Mike is: @IROMG and Matt can be found via his publication: @TheNewEuropean. New episodes are available to download every Tuesday and Thursday so subscribe from your favourite podcast provider so yo...

You'll never guess what dominates the Thought Police today...it's the virus none of us can escape from and it's led to some of the most unusual and bizarre circumstances ever witnessed in human history (including certain behaviours!). Mike and Matt philsophise about just how exceptional this situation is and how it may be remembered including the ghostly nature of the empty streets, the devastatio...

Mike and Matt answer more of your questions from the mailbox including how to revamp our politics, the spread of coronavirus, what form a Thought Police live show might take and more. Matt also shares the challenges faced by losing your eyesight and being left-handed and Mike expresses his love for YouTube and disdain for arch-feminists.  Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP. Mike is: @...

Mike and Matt are back for more topical chat. The spread of covid-19 dominates the conversation as it does the conscience but there are plenty of other subjects and tangents including tone deaf tweeters, Jolyon Maugham, people who panic for no reason, keeping chickens, the RSPCA, travelling on the bus, turning 60 and why "Mugabe" was innocent.    Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP. Mi...

Mike Graham and Matt Kelly discuss the coronavirus, American English, fast driving, road accidents, dead geckos, giant fish, locusts and ducks.  Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP. Mike is: @IROMG and Matt can be found via his publication: @TheNewEuropean New episodes are available to download every Tuesday and Thursday so subscribe from your favourite podcast provider so you never mi...

Mike and Matt are back on top form...for now(!) as they catch up on a busy week of news including Priti Patel vs. the Home Office (which leads to a long rant about the political structure in the UK), Boris' new baby and the challenges of having children later in life, the oldest man in the world, VAR in the Premier League and the impact its having on football and the story still dominating the new...

Mike Graham and Matt Kelly are back from their winter break and pick up where they left off with the usual provocative mixture of news, views and life experiences. Today's topics include: Learning Spanish and the delights of Spain, the Pandora's box that is the Twittersphere (and why you are better off leaving it - and them - behind), social media's impact on modern politics, the validity of the L...

Matt's had to go away for a bit, so why not enjoy the Thought Police's Best bits of 2020 so far! All the major news is covered including Brexit, Megxit and social media trolling and of course the biggest story of all #ChristmasTreegate. There's also plenty of craziness from Fleet Street and films to family and flying cars. It's all here!  The boys are back next week but if you need a bit more (and...

More philosophical musings from Mike and Matt now as they discuss the ladies leading the leaders, the mental health of the privileged including hard done-by Harry & martyr Meghan, skilled manual work, taking a mission to the sun, whether there's life after death, the Catholic church and its nefarious practices and Phillip Schofield's sexuality announcement. They also take a very quick dip into...

The commanding commentariat, Mike Graham and Matt Kelly, are back to look down on the rest of the world as they pontificate over the week's news including: the destruction caused by Storm Ciara, the UK transport network's atrocious handling of adverse weather, stunt driving experiences, The Oscars, travelling to Dubai, the wonder of IKEA, the potential of a United Ireland, Mark Thatcher, whether a...

Mike Graham and Matt Kelly are here to brighten up your day as they muse over a little bit of sport and culture from over the last few days including reaction to the Super Bowl and its half time show, unmissable recent movies, Robert De Niro's renaissance, the legend of the Mafia, tear-jerking rom-coms, and steamed vaginas. Interspersed is some serious chat about the Nobel Peace Prize, Donald Trum...

Mike and Matt are back and ready to deliver some more hard hitting news and views. Topics up for discussion today include: the mood of the nation (and your co-hosts) the morning after Brexit, the struggles of working from home, observations about the restaurant business, how MG ended up enjoying a Jonas Brothers gig, the media's primitive coverage of Brexit day and what constitutes bullying in the...

We'll soon be living in a post-Brexit world and Mike Graham and Matt Kelly are here to discuss what it might look like weeks, months and years from now in Britain and beyond. Debate includes: the inner workings of the EU, how the Norman invasion may have missed the South East, the potentially twisted future of transport at home and abroad (and the pros and cons of what might be used to power it!)...

Mike Graham and Matt Kelly discuss the week's news including how the media reported Kobe Bryant's death, the ongoing saga of Harry and Meghan and the upcoming Brexit deal and the benefits of leaving the EU. As you've come to expect, there's a few tangential tales from the news room including the unsung skill of being succinct, appeasing difficult editors, running cringeworthy and factually incorre...

It's a big day on The Thought Police as #wormgate reaches a conclusion and there's also an update on the life of MG's rootless outdoor Christmas Tree. Other topics up for discussion include whether to challenge or ignore someone who obnoxiously offends, celebrity bubbles, gang tourism, being the victim of crime and the intimidating world (and experiences of) fight sports. Follow the podcast on Twi...