The Two Matts

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey has Tory leadership race fever. He begins by discussing Liz Truss's disappearing policies and Rishi Sunak's disappearing chances of success before hearing listeners' thoughts on what a choice between the two candidates is similar to. Then, journalist and global editor of The Bureau of Investigate Journalism James Ball joins the podcast to share his thoug...

In this week’s episode, Steve Anglesey is joined by The New European journalist Suna Erdem to discuss the Conservative leadership race, whether we should be nostalgic for the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony and the increasing number of cities going car-free. He goes through listener suggestions as to what films or songs best sum up the Tory TV debates. And Priti Patel, Nadine Dorries and the Daily T...

In this week’s episode, Eleanor Longman-Rood and Matt Withers hear readers' thoughts on what jobs Boris Johnson could do next now he's finally leaving Downing Street. They are joined by journalist Clár Ní Chonghaile to discuss the forest fires sparking into life in Athens again and what the summer might bring. Plus Nadhim Zahawi, Rishi Sunak, Bob Stewart, Shailesh Vara, Tatler magazine and Rehman...

In this week’s episode, The New European journalist Eleanor Longman-Rood steps in while our editor and host Steve Anglesey is away. She discusses Boris Johnson's resignation and the events that led up to his departure before asking: what will they do with that wallpaper now? Then, she hears listeners' thoughts on what fictional character could make Brexit work, after Keir Starmer's speech on Monda...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey begins by talking about Nigel Farage's GB news show (but don't let that put you off), before hearing listeners' thoughts on which politicians would headline at the worst music festival ever and what their band would be called. Then journalist and broadcaster Jonty Bloom joins the podcast to discuss why economic predictions are far worse for Britain than...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey hears how listeners would ruin a film or song title by adding the word Brexit. Then, The New European journalist Clár Ní Chonghaile joins the podcast to discuss, on the sixth anniversary of the Brexit vote, how it is now clear to all that it really wasn't a good idea. She outlines the dossier of disasters that Brexit has created, suggests how Labour need...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey hears what our listeners' will be doing to mark 23rd June, six years since the Brexit referendum took place. Then journalist and author John Kampfner joins the podcast to discuss the diversion politics designed to save Boris Johnson's skin as he weaponises Brexit, how Europe has grown tired of Britain's parliamentary antics and how Britain is viewed abro...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey hears listeners' suggestions on what Boris Johnson's next job should be, considering 148 of his own MPs don't think he should be in the one he's in now. Then Comedian Mitch Benn joins the podcast to give his take on this, his objections to the prime minister's lack of ethical judgement and his thoughts on how Britain celebrated the Platinum Jubilee. Plus...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey discusses if Boris Johnson has managed to escape unscathed from the Sue Gray report before hearing listeners' suggestions on what famous book title best sums up her findings. Then, The New European 's editor-at-large Alastair Campbell joins the podcast to discuss the report's aftermath and why Labour needs to start thinking seriously about what they stan...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey ponders what Boris Johnson’s mood is like after the Met announced they've finished issuing partygate fines. He then hears listeners’ suggestions on what politicians they would like to see on Eurovision and what songs they should sing. Also in this episode, journalist Rob Burnett explains what it is like to live on the Falkland Islands, how Brexit is acco...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey tackles Michael Gove's bizarre BBC interview before hearing listeners' thoughts on which politicians they would like to see in Doctor Who and in which role after the news that Ncuti Gatwa is to be the next Doctor. The New European 's Suna Erdem then joins him to discuss why Europe is lagging behind on legalising cannabis, what Sadiq Khan's latest moves o...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey takes a look at the local election campaigns and hears readers' suggestions as to what the Conservative slogan should be at the next general election. He is joined by National Farmers Union president Minette Batters to discuss how war in Ukraine is worsening the sector's Brexit-driven problems and why a food supply crisis could follow. Plus Nadine Dorrie...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey discusses the biggest news story of the week - which isn't porngate nor Angela Rayner's legs - but surrounding Rishi Sunak before hearing listeners' thoughts on what sportsperson they would like to see as prime minister. Then journalist and broadcaster Jonty Bloom joins the podcast to discuss his exasperation over David Frost's opinion that Brexit has go...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey wishes Boris Johnson well as he finds cover on a visit to India while MPs vote on whether to launch an investigation into claims he misled Parliament over the partygate row before hearing listeners' thoughts on what Boris Johnson's next job could be. Then, award-winning journalist Marion van Renterghem joins the podcast to discuss if Marine Le Pen has ch...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey discusses the news that Channel 4 is to be privatised before hearing listeners' thoughts on what the name of a drama starring Nadine Dorries would be called, answers range from It's A Sin to (thick) Skins. Media commentator and journalist Liz Gerard joins the podcast to share her thoughts on what lies in store for the television network, the reason behin...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey suggests what Boris Johnson could have said in response to Partygate fines being issued and takes listeners' thoughts on the latest episode of the saga. Former BBC R4 presenter, North America Editor and Europe Editor Mark Mardell joins the podcast to discuss why the idea of a European army haunts Brexiteers, if Ukraine can get their application to the Eu...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey likens some of the pie in the sky dreams The Apprentice finalists had to those of the chancellor before hearing listeners' thoughts on what Rishi Sunak's memoir may be called. Head of National Anti-Crisis Management of Belarus, the country’s shadow government in exile, Pavel Latushka, then joins the podcast to discuss the dictator that has been in power...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey shares what he enjoyed this week, including president Zelensky's address to Congress, and what he didn't particularly enjoy this week, featuring Michael Gove being called a hero. Journalist and campaigner Fiona Millar then joins the podcast to discuss why Boris Johnson surrounds himself with individuals from who went through the private school system, ho...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey begins by dissecting James Cleverly's comments on the government's response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis, concluding that Britain is only really world beating in one category - failure. Broadcaster and journalist Jonty Bloom then joins the podcast to discuss one very angry annual farmer's conference. He shares his thoughts on how the industry has been...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey pokes fun at the government's flag-waving, photo op filled and somewhat lacking response to Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Author and Foreign correspondent James Rodgers joins the podcast to share his expertise on whether Putin has lost his mind, the thinking behind his military tactics and if the 21st century dictator could be toppled. Plus, Ann Widdecomb...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey begins by reciting a somewhat ironic quote from Nigel Farage who said that Putin had no interest in invading Ukraine and won't do so. Award-winning journalist James Ball then joins the podcast to discuss what is next for Ukraine and if Putin has been showing us his true intentions for years. He also shares his thoughts on how to improve Westminster for t...

In this week’s episode, our host Steve Anglesey returns! He questions Jacob Rees-Mogg's logic of calling Brexit a success by reading out a letter from a listener who recounts the struggles he has had importing from a British business to where he lives in Poland. Comedian Matt Forde then joins the podcast to discuss how, despite him being easy to make fun of, he won't miss Boris Johnson when he goe...

Supply teachers Eleanor Longman-Rood and Matt Withers are on presenting duties to sift through another quiet week in British politics. They discuss Boris Johnson's 'heshuffle' and hear listeners' suggestions as to what role Jacob Rees-Mogg should hold. After Keir Starmer is harassed by protesters repeating the PM's Jimmy Savile slur they examine whether we should expect more of these kind of attac...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey has many questions from another sane week in British politics, including will Boris Johnson change his name to Boris Dorries when he and his culture secretary tie the knot? He also introduces  The New European 's three-part pop-up podcast, The 27, a superb investigation into the deaths in the Channel by Clár Ní Chonghaile and Suna Erdem. Author Andrei Ku...

The stream of people risking their lives to live in Britain is relentless.  In November 2021, at least 27 people drowned trying. Within hours, their tragedy became a global political and journalistic storm. Within days, this most human of stories had been subsumed into the rolling news agenda.  This three-episode podcast attempts to re-humanise this tragedy, in the hope that truly understanding th...