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The Two Matts

The New World

Join The New World's Matt Kelly and Matt d'Ancona plus occasional guests for weekly chat on politics and media with a side of cultural stuff. A podcast in the spirit of the award-winning New World newspaper - irreverent, witty, surprising, argumentative ... and annoying all the right people.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  • 679 episodes
  • Updated Saturday

Episodes679

Newest first
  • Nov 1, 2024 · 51 min

    Feargal Sharkey interview: The unbelievable scale of the sewage scandal

    Feargal Sharkey has galvanised the nation over the scandalous - and criminal - negligence our water companies and their so-called regulators have displayed for years. Our rivers are flooded with sewage on a daily basis and the privatised water companies have been pillaged. On Sunday he’s leading a march for clean water in London and he tells the Matts why he is so determined to correct this enormous injustice. It’s a brilliant, searing interview. If you’re not already furious about this, you will be soon. Join the March for Clean Rivers this Sunday: marchforcleanwater.org Subscribe to The New European: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Join The Two Matts LIVE! https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2mattslive/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Oct 28, 2024 · 40 min

    Labour’s heavy-weather Government

    Why are Labour making life so hard for themselves? The Matts assess the ups and downs of the government’s first months in power ahead of what promises to be a defining moment for Keir Starmer - Wednesday’s Budget. Also - what does Jeff Bezos’s interference in Washington Post editorial policy matter? Quite a lot as it turns out. Tune in to find out why! Enjoy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Oct 25, 2024 · 37 min

    Trump versus Starmer, Starmer versus slavery reparations

    Does the fact that Donald Trump now thinks Keir Starmer’s Labour Party are actively interfering in the US election matter? The Matts consider how a story that should be a nothingburger has the potential to upset relations between the UK and the US for years to come. In Part 2, the Matts discuss whether or not Britain should pay reparations to the descendants of the slave trade from which this country profited so much. Also - details of how to see the Matts in the flesh on November 25! Enjoy Get tickets for The Two Matts LIVE! https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2mattslive/ Ta-Nehisi Coates: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Oct 21, 2024 · 38 min

    Jon Sopel on Britain, America… and the future of journalism

    The Matts spend some quality time with fellow podcaster Jon Sopel … reflecting on the state of Britain as described in his hit book Strangeland. And they tap into his deep Washington insight for a long view of American politics - and just how scared should we be about the prospect of a second Trump presidency. Also - podcasts! Are they the future of journalism? Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Oct 20, 2024 · 25 min

    Q&A: Kamala, Climate, and Compulsory Fun? 👻

    This week, Matt Kelly and Matt d'Ancona dive into Kamala Harris's Fox News interview - smart move or not? Plus, why aren't we talking more about the climate crisis?! They also tackle immigration, those cultish Trump/Johnson fans, and the age-old debate: audiobooks vs. real books. Oh, and Matt d'Ancona REALLY hates Halloween. Further reading/watching/listening "The Uninhabitable Earth" by David Wallace-Wells "The True Believer" by Eric Hoffer "Lincoln in the Bardo" by George Saunders "Sonny Boy: A Memoir" by Al Pacino "Don't Look Up" (Netflix film) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Oct 18, 2024 · 44 min

    To kill or not to kill… is assisted suicide in the UK really a good idea?

    As parliament prepares to debate legalising assisted suicide, the Matts argue their respective corners on its desirability. Also - if they think having a German football manager is bad, wait until they find out about the King’s antecedents. The Matts despair at little England’s bottomless capacity for xenophobia when it comes to Germans. Enjoy! Content warning: strong language, references to suicide, depression In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14. Hotlines in other countries can be found here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Oct 13, 2024 · 29 min

    Q&A: Disappointing Keir, Tory freebies and a bit of drumming

    In this Sunday edition of The Two Matts the pair chat about Labour's terrible start, Tory freebies and the US support for Israel. Coming from Berlin this week, the Matts also dip into drumming and whether young people not being able to read long books is a problem. Subscribe to The New European today!: theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Oct 11, 2024 · 38 min

    LIVE FROM BERLIN! Germany’s woes and Johnson’s lies

    The Matts are in Berlin, discovering all is not well in the powerhouse of Europe. Is the rise of the far right AfD party inevitable? And how is migration warping the political discourse? Also - Boris Johnson’s worst lie yet? Could be. His mendacious outpouring about Trump’s innocence over the insurrection is a signal of a dark ambition; a return to power alongside his mate in the White House. The Matts weigh up the evidence. Warning! Contains impressions. Enjoy! Subscribe to The New European today!: theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Oct 7, 2024 · 46 min

    An unbelievable year of horror after October 7… is there any hope?

    Sue Gray has been resigned - also known as fired - as Keir Starmer’s chief of staff. Can she be blamed for Labour’s shaky start or is the problem more deeply-rooted? Also - one year after the Hamas atrocities of October 7, and the subsequent carnage in Gaza, the Matts take stock and explore some plausible outcomes of the raging conflict in the Middle East Subscribe to The New European today!: theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Oct 6, 2024 · 31 min

    Q&A: Lucy Letby, Proporational representation and Wernham Hogg

    Happy Sunday! Today The Two Matt's hear your questions starting with the case of Lucy Letby. Should her case be scrutinised amidst doubts, despite the distress it may cause? Also, are the progressive press more critical of the left than the right and should Labour back proportional representation? The Matt's wrap things up by trying to work if Sue Gray is Gareth or Tim from 'The Office'. Oh, and what about Morgan McSweeney? And who's Keith? It's all very important. Subscribe to The New European today!: theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Oct 4, 2024 · 41 min

    One month to doomsday

    We are in the final stretch of what may be the most important election of our lifetimes - and everything is still on a knife edge. The Matts consider the state of play between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris and anticipate the consequences of all eventualities. Enjoy! Subscribe to The New European today!: theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Sep 30, 2024 · 36 min

    Tearing into the Tories: like shooting fish in a barrel

    The Matts pick off the Tory leadership candidates one by one with the nagging doubt in their minds that, whoever wins, it doesn’t really matter. The Tories are in such deep trouble as a party that restoring any sense of relevance and legitimate opposition to Keir Starmer’s monster majority will require Churchillian energy and determination. And sorry to break it to you Kemi, Robert, James and Tom … but you ain’t no Churchill. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Sep 29, 2024 · 23 min

    Q&A: These are the best impressions you'll hear all year

    Come for the impressions but stay for Keir Starmer's ethics in comparison to Boris Johnson's corruption, the Matt's giving Keir a hard time and 'Have I Got News for You,' going stateside. Happy Sunday! Subscribe to The New European today!: theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Sep 27, 2024 · 53 min

    Alarm in Lebanon: Why the conflict in the Middle East is escalating

    The Matts try to understand just why an already desperate situation in the Middle East is getting worse. What links the Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois boxing match in Wembley and the conflict in Lebanon. And who are the silent winners while international diplomacy battles to contain any escalation? Also - did Keir Starmer’s conference speech give any further insight into how he intends to stem the rising tide of right wing nationalism in the UK? And do the freebies matter? The Matts have a view. You will too! Enjoy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Sep 23, 2024 · 42 min

    Do Labour REALLY understand what’s at stake here?

    Something fundamental is missing in the way Labour have set about governing. It’s not just about free dresses, spectacles, Taylor Swift freebies and a box at the Emirates. It’s about an appreciation of what happens next if Keir Starmer doesn’t establish - quickly - a real sense of purpose for this term of office that the nation can understand, get behind… and hold him accountable for. He hasn’t done it yet. The Matts are worried. We should all be worried. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Sep 22, 2024 · 32 min

    Q&A: Where's The Hope? And Should We Feel Icky?

    The Matts dive into the Labour Party's promises at their Liverpool conference, get taken to task over Tony Blair's relationship with autocrats and the ethics of promoting his new book, On Leadership. Plus Mossad's tactics against Hezbollah, and more on the intricacies of swearing. All in 30mins! Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Sep 20, 2024 · 41 min

    John Major is 100% right about Brexit

    John Major is scathing about Brexit in his interview with BBC’s Amol Rajan. The Matts find themselves nodding vigorously in agreement - not just on the Referendum … but Ukraine, Rwanda, far-right entryism and Britain as a nation I’ll at ease with itself. Also - is A Very Royal Scandal worth a watch? Yes … but with a few caveats. The Matts can’t agree about whether this version of the Emily Maitlis / Prince Andrew drama is all it should be. Enjoy! Love this? Then you'll love The New European. Subscribe today and get a FREE, SIGNED copy of Tony Blair's new book, On Leadership when you use this link: theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Sep 16, 2024 · 50 min

    Trump assassination attempt, Lib Dem’s Brexit strategy and Starmer’s wardrobe

    Today, why the US election is revealing itself to be an unprecedented cocktail of violence and fiction - and what Kamala Harris needs to do to get back in front of the story. Also - why aren’t the Lib Dem’s more explicit about reversing Brexit and how did Keir Starmer expect the story of Lord Alli’s remarkable benevolence to play out, if not terribly. Enjoy! Love this? Then you'll love The New European. Subscribe today: theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.