The Two Matts

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...

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...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey sums up another day awaiting Sue Gray, describes the curious similarities between Barry Cryer and Boris Johnson and discusses reader suggestions on what film title best sums up Boris Johnson's years at Number 10. Journalist and writer John Kampfner then joins the podcast to explain his thoughts on the runners and riders to be the next prime minister, how...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey starts the podcast by reading listeners a story, the tragic tale of Agent Blond in Now, Time to Die, starring Boris Johnson. Broadcaster and writer Jonty Bloom then joins the podcast to discuss why the end of Boris Johnson won't mean the beginning of the end for Brexit, what the next prime minister could do to ease the strain border red tape is putting o...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey breaks down for listeners what constitutes a party, being at work and a work party, if, like the prime minister, listeners often get them muddled up. Award-winning journalist James Ball joins the podcast to discuss how this week's scandal has been different from the ones Boris Johnson has usually ridden out and how Keir Starmer has stepped up to the plat...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey introduces more Brexit news, this does include, however, Presidential grifter and election crybaby Donald J Trump's golf courses losing a combined £7m in 2020... Writer and The New European columnist Paul Mason joins the podcast to discuss if Tony Blair needs a knighthood, or indeed if anyone does, the storming of Capitol Hill exactly a year on and how t...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey shares his political lowlights and cultural highlights of the year, in which Succession receives glowing praise. Writer and The New European 's editor-at-large Alastair Campbell,  The New European senior journalist Clár Ní Chonghaile and Writer and The New European 's foreign editor John Kampfner all join the podcast to discuss their reviews of 2021 and...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey shares his thoughts on the Downing Street Christmas party last year that definitely didn't happen... or did it? Playwright and author Bonnie Greer joins the podcast to discuss her belief that the British are inherently decent, even if the prime minister isn't. She also discusses why sending Anne-Marie Trevelyan to woo Joe Biden wasn't only a mistake but...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey hears listeners thoughts on how the government can approach the migrant crisis, and shares his own on the Downing Street Christmas party last year. Award-winning journalist John Lichfield joins the podcast to discuss the fascism of French journalist turned presidential candidate Éric Zemmour. He then gives an analysis on the recent tragedy in the Channel...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey promises not to lose his place or make references to Peppa Pig, unlike Boris Johnson during his CBI conference address. He ponders what colour the sky is in Dominic Raab's world after he claimed the speech was a success and that the prime minister is excelling in his performance. Comedian Mitch Benn joins the podcast to discuss Boris's history with unpre...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey asks if Britain is getting buyer's remorse over Boris Johnson. He takes listeners' thoughts on this issue and on Ken Clarke ahead of speaking with Tim Walker who interviewed Clarke for The New European 's latest edition. Walker then joins our host to delve into the interview in detail. Why is there a lack of talent at the top of the political ladder? Has...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey hears listeners thoughts on MPs having second jobs and their answers as to what second jobs they would like to see Boris Johnson and his cabinet occupying in an ideal world. Former minister for Europe, former MP and Theresa May's de facto deputy David Lidington joins the podcast to discuss this timely issue further and the government's impatience with th...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey discusses the latest Brexit fallout that's led to the government being hated on both sides of the Channel and sets listeners a challenge of crafting headlines of Brexit disasters, as if they had been reported in pro-Brexit publications (responses of which certainly did not disappoint him). Media commentator and journalist Liz Gerard joins the podcast to...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey discusses the other elephant in the room - Covid-19. Dr Joe Pajak joins him for a fascinating, and concerning, analysis of the rising Covid rates and shares some personal anecdotes on how his son has been affected by long Covid since catching the virus in March 2020. When will the government act, and are we in for a catastrophic winter if they don't? Als...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey discusses the plight of the British 'expats' (not migrants) returning to Britain because of Brexit, before hearing listener's thoughts on what the government should be doing to tackle climate change. Columnist and award-winning journalist James Ball joins the podcast to analyse the challenges that COP26 presents, essentially for developing nations, and o...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey hears listeners' thoughts on Boris Johnson's recent jaunt to Marbella, most of whom weren't best pleased. Senior journalist for The New European Suna Erdem joins the podcast to discuss the situation in Poland and the seriousness of the threat of 'Polexit'. Is European populism in its final days and, back home, how much longer can the government emerge fr...

The New European Podcast is back from its break! In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey hears your thoughts on both Keir Starmer's and Boris Johnson's party conference speeches - with the latter, "Build Back Blather" came to mind for one listener. Journalist and pollster Peter Kellner joins the podcast explaining that he fears the conferences did not teach the public anything they didn't alre...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey gives Brexiteers a new name, 'It's-nothing-to-do-with-Brexiteers', as politicians blame the gas crisis and further product shortages on anything but the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Writer, political strategist and The New European 's Editor-at-Large Alastair Campbell joins the podcast to discuss why politicians, and the media, won't acknowledge Brexit,...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey ponders if we've reached a point where everything , from HGV driving qualifications to the Ryder Cup, has become a metaphor for Brexit. Journalist, author and European Editor of The New European John Kampfner joins the podcast live from Germany, fresh off his first appearance on German daytime TV, to discuss the cabinet reshuffle, what's next for Germany...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey dissects the latest calamities of Brexit and hears listeners thoughts on the latest government tax increase to fund social care and the NHS backlog. Author and journalist James Ball compares this latest social care plan to Theresa May's (spoiler alert - this one is much worse), before explaining the similarities between Brexit and the latest version of ...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey looks at the NHS blood tube shortage and the conspicuous absence of some beers on Tim Martin's Wetherspoon's menu before asking what it takes for Brexiteers to hold their hands up and apologise? Author and journalist Sarfraz Manzoor joins the podcast to discuss his latest book, They: What Muslims and Non-Muslims Get Wrong About Each Other , how hope can...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey delves into the shortage of lorry drivers that has led to supply line issues around the country - if you're heading to a pub beer garden this bank holiday, you may need to think twice about what beer you order - it might not be on offer. Journalist, writer and filmmaker Paul Mason joins the podcast to discuss how to stop fascism, from Poland to the US. H...

In this week’s episode, host Steve Anglesey delves into the latest choice remarks from foreign secretary Dominic Raab and hears The New European Podcast 's listeners thoughts on what Britain can learn from its involvement in Afghanistan. Broadcaster and Journalist Mark Mardell guest stars on the podcast to discuss if the BBC's independence is under threat, his new documentary podcast Trading Blows...

In this week's episode, host Steve Anglesey is joined by journalist Suna Erdem who discusses the pan European qualities of a British term - levelling up - and explains what can be achieved in the short term for an issue that has decades ahead of it. Author and journalist James Rodgers shares his first-hand experiences of being in Russia in 1991 during the fall of the Soviet Union and what it was l...

For this week's bumper summer special issue episode, host Steve Anglesey is joined by journalist Rashmee Roshan Lall who discusses if the government's love of India is reciprocated and emphasises the importance of keeping your word in politics. Global editor of The Bureau of Investigative Journalism James Ball considers the issues on both sides of the Cannabis legalisation debate, commenting that...