The Two Matts

The Matts consider the violent protests sweeping the continent and try to understand where it is coming from and what it signifies. Could they spread here? What can progressive governments do to stop them? Is Andy Burnham's approach any different to Emmanuel Macron’s? Tickets are still available for Alastair Campbell and Mishal Hussain at London's Cadogan Hall on October 22 here Produced b...

The Matts answer listener questions in this, their regular Sunday morning Q&A episode, including: is Marie Le Pen bad news for the UK? Why is Sally Rooney not selling books here any more? Will standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine actually help? Should Elon Musk be allowed such power? Does Russian interference in the Brexit vote help the argument to join the EU? And what new word, in the...

The Matts discuss the developments in Ukraine in the past week and Donald Trump's oil deal with Vladimir Putin. Connected much? They think so. It adds up to a ghastly - but all too predictable - betrayal of Ukraine at its hour of deepest need. Also - the potential spectacle of a live streamed execution in America. What does that tell us about the Trump mindset.. and what's become of our sp...

The Matts answer listener questions in this, their regular Sunday morning Q&A session, including: why is Zack Polanski’s popularity plummeting? How bad are the riots in France? Who would you put in the cabinet? Is Andy Burnham courageous or cowardly on Europe? What's the best political speech in history? And what movie did you once think was amazing but makes you cringe now? Enjoy! Produce...

The Matts discuss the impact of the Green Party resolution that “Zionism Is Racism”. Will Zack Polanski survive as leader? What does it mean for Jews living in the UK? What does it mean for the party's supposed core eco agenda? Also this week: what's the story behind Kemi Badenoch's conference speech? What does success look like for her? It's a lively conversation. Enjoy! Produced...

The Matts answer your questions in this, their regular Sunday morning Q&A episode. Including: what should you do with your collection of New European / New World magazines? What will dominate the next 500 issues? Is Andy Burnham the real deal? Has football sold its soul? Should we proscribe Patriot Platform? And which beloved movies flopped at the box office? Enjoy! Produced by Matt Withers OF...

The Matts give a considered analysis of Andy Burnham’s conference speech. So much to talk about and so many obvious strong points - but where will the testing moments come from? They go deep into the policies he announced and try to put together the evidence for a big plan - and rate his chances of pulling it off. Enjoy! Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: To celebrate our 500th edition, get The New W...

The Matts answer listeners' questions in their regular Sunday morning edition, including: How does Andy Burnham take Britain into the EU? Is ketamine the new heroin? Why are CS Lewis fans suddenly furious? What does podcasting mean for the future of media? And is Trump right about the Chagos deal? Enjoy! Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New World and get a free copy of Paul Mas...

The Matts discuss Andy Burnham's speech to the United Nations - and what it tells us about both the opportunities and challenges facing the new PM and Britain as we seek to rediscover our place in the world 10 years after Brexit. In part two the Matts discuss the waning effect of Adolf Hitler on the global conscience and what it means in concrete terms for all our futures. Enjoy! PS: Use code...

The Matts answer listener questions, including: Why do crypto billionaires fall over themselves to give Nigel Farage money? Does Canada joining the EU help or hinder the UK’s return? Why isn’t the UN dealing with AI? Is the rise of the far right in Germany something to worry about? And isn’t Ed Sheeran basically right? Enjoy! Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New World and get a fre...

The Matts open with a heartfelt tribute to the late, great Bonnie Greer, who died this week. In the first half they discuss the extraordinary pace of developments and concern around AI, explain exactly what has happened and why everyone really should be very worried indeed. In part two, they reject the outright demonisation of the citizens of Piddington, the small Oxfordshire village which held a...

The Matts answer listener questions including: why can’t we have decent welfare and a strong defence? Was Reform stung or entrapped? Why is Liz Truss still costing us so much money? Is AI really going to kill me? And why is everyone losing their minds over the Bayeux Tapestry? Enjoy! Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New World and get a free copy of Paul Mason's new book Reds . Head...

As Ed Miliband announces sanctions against illegal settlements in the West Bank, the Matts take a holistic look at what the government hopes to achieve and at what cost. Does this make British Jews less safe? Are challenges to Miliband’s level of Jewishness fair? And will this action make any difference to the chances of a two-state solution? Also - 25 years after 9/11, the Matts discuss Matt d’An...

The Matts answer listener questions in this, their regular Sunday morning question and answer edition. Including; is Farage finished; what tax pledge should Burnham break; is Michael Gove stupid; how should we think about China; apart from Dante, Giotto, Thomas Aquinas, Chaucer and the Bayeux Tapesty, what’s the Middle Ages ever done for us; maintaining a dignified silence in the face of Will Self...

The Matts are joined by The New World contributing editor Paul Mason to discuss his blockbuster book Reds: A Global History Of Communism . We cover a lot of ground - from pre-historic society through the French Revolution to the USSR and finally modern day China, where the entire definition and history of Communism is being rewritten as we speak. Paul’s book has been receiving glowing reviews from...

The Matts tackle listener questions in their regular Sunday morning Q&A edition, including: Is there a resurgence of homophobia? Should Harry and Meghan be welcomed back to the UK? Are we heartbroken over Dolly Parton? What does the Meta mega settlement mean? Are online comments a good thing? And what should we be reading next? Enjoy! Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New World...

The Matts think about Andy Burnham’s first month (and a bit) in Downing Street and anticipate a period of difficulty ahead for a PM whose inclination may be to keep people happy in an age when dramatic change is required. In the second half, what does the release of Jason Arday’s autobiography tell us about attitudes towards truth in publishing? Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New...

The Matts answer listener questions including: Is the Kelly Plan for an early election a non-starter? Is Richard Tice a secret Labour asset? How should we respond to the huge numbers of suicides in the UK each year? And is Wetherspoons right to ban speaker phones? Enjoy! Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.u...

The Matts discuss the government’s response to the severe heat this summer in England and Wales (sorry Scotland!)… and whether this year will be a turning point in the public’s perception of urgency around the changing climate. But first, they deal with the charge they were “lily-livered” in their response to the tragic death of Jason Arday. Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New Wor...

The Matts answer listener questions in their regular Sunday morning episode, including the tragic death of Jason Arday, whether Nigel Farage has lost his touch, what Andy Burnham is trying to do on social media and whether the solar eclipse was all it was cracked up to be. Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co...

The Matts remember an astonishing letter of 45 years ago which provides stark contrast with Andy Burnham’s politics of place. Also - how the Jason Arday saga has shamed not just one academic but an entire university… and much of the liberal establishment whose instinctive rush to defend Arday is indicative of a deeper problem. Enjoy! Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New World for j...

The Matts answer listeners' questions including: when will politicians actually face up to the climate crisis? Is Andy Burnham being creepy on social media? Has Zack Polanski’s bubble burst? Where would you start when fixing social care? Is The Odyssey really all that? And should Gianni Infantino be allowed to sell the World Cup? Enjoy! Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New World fo...

The Matts appreciate the velocity of action in Andy Burnham’s first days as PM. And the big intention to fix social care is of enormous consequence. But it also makes them wonder if Burnham is being completely open about the possibility of an early election. Enjoy! Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2mat...

The Matts answer listener questions including: Has Andy Burnham made a mistake appointing so many loyalists? Why aren’t the courts more honest about what time prisoners will actually serve? What do the Matts miss about the 70s? Should Gianni Infantino run the United Nations? Are generation gaps a real thing? And what can you recommend to someone who has zero interest in The Odyssey ? Enjoy! Produc...

The Matts dig into the reaction to Andy Burnham’s first few days in government. Obviously the usual suspects - such as the Daily Mail and GB News - have already declared it a failure. But one column by Janan Ganesh in the Financial Times stands out as an utterly miserable misreading of the reality of where British politics is. Is the biggest problem Burnham faces a hostile right wing media, or is...