The Two Matts

The brass neck of The New European; why are tens of thousands of people dying before their time in the UK; shouldn’t we stop Instagram harming our children; and what superpower would the Two Matts like Elon Musk to implant into their brains? All this and more in the liveliest podcast Q&A in town… Subscribe to The New European Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If Laurence Fox is just the monkey, then who is the organ grinder and why is he pumping millions into causes and individuals so conspicuously damaging Britain? The 2 Matts ask some uncomfortable questions of the people funding culture wars. Also … will Rishi Sunak’s fasting regime endear him to the millions of Brits who can’t afford to eat properly after thirteen years of a Tory government? And th...

This week the Two Matts tackle division in Ireland, independence in Scotland and personal abuse from Julia in south London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When more than a million people came out in cities across Germany to protest against the far right AfD party, it was an indication of how perilous that nation’s political situation has become. New European columnist Tanit Koch joins the Two Matts from Bonn to explain the origins of the crisis and what it means for her country … and beyond. Also - let’s celebrate the brilliance of recent movies as...

A little bonus episode of a podcast we like: the Disorder podcast, by friend of the pod Jason Pack (alongside former British diplomat Alexandra Hall Hall), tackles the big question of how the world got so disordered. We've picked a taster that we think you'll like: the theme is the EU, and the guest is trade negotiator John Clarke. Enjoy. Get more Disorder when you follow the show: https://tr.ee/k...

The Matts discuss Scottish National Party's political strategies, ponder the what-if scenario of a centrist incursion oining the Tory party and delve into data protection issues. Plus: some podcast plugs and Oscar tips. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It seems certain that Trump will become the Republican nominee for President. We take a deep breath and let that sink in - along with all the horrendous consequences to American democracy and the inescapable reality that this os not a blip in 21st Century politics but a taste of how things will be… forever on. Also - who cares if the Daily Mirror newspaper collapses into a state of abject irreleva...

In this week's Sunday Q&A The Two Matts are asked whether Sunak is wrong-footing Labour, if the English people or press are royal obsessed, and what books we should be reading. Thanks to Ben Valentine, Jonathan Fogell, Paul in Woolwich and Mira Starmore for this week's questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has justice been done in the appalling scandal of the Post Office’s prosecution of subpostmasters? Not by a long chalk. The convictions may be overturned, the compensation cheques arranged … but what about punishing those responsible? The Two Matts anticipate the next phase of this sorry saga - and try to understand the mindset of Post Office management over two decades who allowed a culture of co...

Should Liz Truss have had an honours list? Are 'Thinktanks' fit for purpose? And is Dave Chappelle still funny? All of these and more are answered by The Two Matt's in this Sunday Q&A episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How bad can it be? Well… pretty bad is the answer. 2024 is shaping up to be a seismic year in so many ways - but the Two Matts aren’t all doom and gloom (just mostly). Will the 14th Amendment change the course of US history? Will Keir Starmer find the recipe to restore trust in politics? Will the West sell Ukraine down the river? And how can we start to step forward to a solution in the Middle Eas...

The Two Matts review the year through the prism of people: going through their heroes, villains and the dearly departed. Who will make the list? Tune in to find out... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is the New European suing Michelle Mone? The full story unfolds here .. together with what we think it might mean for future writ-happy individuals trying to silence honest reporting. Plus - we are joined by the brilliant Zoe Gardner who looks back at an appalling year for the demonisation of migrants and looks forward to 2024 for what we all hope will be a year of better discourse and so...

Is a thirty-five day suspension for one MP really enough? Are ID cards a good idea or an invasion of privacy? And 'Slow Horses' or 'The Crown'. All these questions and more are answered in this edition of The Two Matts, with Matt Kelly and Matt d'Ancona. Thanks to these wonderful people for their questions Highland Girl (via Spotify) Anthony Laukaitis Trevor Dobson Michael Rosenthal Jane in Primro...

Farage is back from the jungle and picking fights with anyone who thinks he’s a wanker! Count us in, Nige! Meanwhile Rishi Sunak presses his Rwanda bill through the commons at a running cost of close to £400m just as Channel 4 reveals the crisis in the NHS under the Tories is worse than we even thought - begging the question has the PM really thought this through? And in a special episode of Keepi...

Is Nigel Farage 'hard right' or 'far right'?. The Two Matts pass judgement on James Cleverly, celebrate the cultural highlights of 2023 and give their alternative choices for Person Of The Year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is he actually having a breakdown? Certainly the country he leads is… as Rishi Sunak comes to terms with another 24 hours of pure parliamentary chaos, the Two Matts ask: How much more of this can anyone take?! Also - in part two - Matt and Matt are joined by Middle East expert and host of the Disorder podcast , Jason Pack. Jason unpacks the complexities in how a long term solution involving Qatar...

You asked the questions, and we've responded... Matthew d'Ancona and Matt Kelly don't hold back over proportional representation, immigration, benefits, and the power of Elon Musk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Two Matts discuss the legacy of the former Secretary of State, who died this week. How will he be remembered? As one of the most effective diplomats of our times … or a mass murdering war criminal who should have died in The Hague? Or is the answer, just possibly, a bit more nuanced than that? After the break, Matt and Matt consider how that other giant of international politics (and that’s a...

Happy Sunday - the Two Matts are back in the mailbox to answer your questions. #ama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to spot an actual fascist in your midst! The Two Matts explore a fascinating checklist that sends shudders down their spines … and sheds light on the persistent rise of right wing populists from Geert Wilders in Holland to Javier Milei in Argentina to Nigel Farage in… as James Cleverley would say… a sh*thole in the Australian rainforest. Plus.. how to respond if invited to the cinema to watch...

In this Q&A episode Matt Kelly and Matthew d'Ancona answer questions on Jordan Peterson, the EU, podcasting, and politics. Can the use of humour counter charlatans and populists? Does the EU need to undergo reformation before the UK rejoins, and who should you vote for? Thanks to Roland, Keith, Andrew, J.Wells and Micheal for their questions. Subscribe to The New European TODAY and receive six...

First half… a sharp dissection of the asylum that has become UK politics. How did Rishi Sunak manage to make Suella Braverman look like the competent one? In the second half, the Two Matts are joined by the inimitable Dom Joly whose new book on conspiracy theories is a treat. Well, that’s the rumour we heard anyway. Subscribe to The New European TODAY and receive six New European Christmas cards a...

Braverman out, Cameron in. What does it all add up to? In the first ever Two Matts emergency podcast, Matt and Matt get inside the head of Rishi Sunak (they things they do for you!) and work through his thinking and the consequences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt d'Ancona and Matt Kelly answer the important questions on; the possibility of civil war in America if Trump wins the election, the introduction of mandatory ID in the UK, the impact of right-wing media on British political discourse, favourite George Michael songs, and opinions on the new John Lewis advert. Questions from Ben Valentine, Dave, Michael Rosenthal, Liz in Bicester, and a fellow M...