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.

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679 episodes
Updated Saturday

Episodes679

Newest first

May 31, 2024 · 1 hr 19 min
How did Diane Abbott derail Keir Starmer?
How did Keir Starmer allow the row over Diane Abbott swamp the early days of his election campaign? What is the upside? And had Abbott been mistreated to the point where the Labour leadership looks petty and vindictive? The Matts weigh in on the big campaign trail talking point. Also - in part two - the brilliant Alan Edwards, author of I Was There, tells all about life with Bowie, The Stones, The Spice Girls … and a whole A-Z of rock’s rich and famous. It’s an absolute treat of an interview… enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 26, 2024 · 34 min
Q&A: Blood Scandal, Paula Vennells and Rishi's new job
In this Q and A episode The Two Matts discuss whether the blood scandal will be forgotten in the mayhem of the election, if bosses will take more responsibility for company failings in the wake of Paula Vennell's inquiry breakdown, and does Rishi have another job to go to? If you'd like to get a question in to The Two Matt's email 2matts@tnepublishing.com You can subscribe to The New European here: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 24, 2024 · 54 min
Caitlin Moran and the trouble with men
The Matts are joined by author and journalist Caitlin Moran to talk about men and the manisphere. What can men learn from the progress women made with feminism? It’s a broad spectrum conversation veering from pornography to football, from the benefits of banter to why so many men are so bad at friendships. Also - is the new play Boys From The Blackstuff a match for the brilliant 80s Alan Bleasdale television series? The Matts have a night out at the theatre and find out. Caitlin Moran: What About Men? Subscription Offer: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 23, 2024 · 30 min
Welcome to six weeks of political mayhem and the end of an error
Special bonus podcast on this week's big story ... no, not Paula Vennell's disgrace in the Post Office Scandal ... no, not the Infected Blood scandal ... no, not the huge upswing in migrants crossing the channel ... not the news that mortgage rate cuts will be delayed until August, nor the news that the Rwanda flights will probably never happen... it's the big news that Rishi Sunak has decided that everything's getting better and decided now is the time to hold a General Election. The Matts are joined by New European political editor James Ball and say Bring It On! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 19, 2024 · 41 min
Q&A: Should we believe Starmer's pledge card and compulsory voting
In this Sunday Q&A episode the two Matts take on your questions on compulsory voting, online voting, Article 7 and more on the Elphicke defection. Get your questions in to 2matts@tnepublishing.com You can subscribe to The New European here: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 17, 2024 · 54 min
Lies, damned lies, and Rishi Sunak
Not only was Rishi Sunak’s election campaign salvo this week one of the laziest, divisive and incoherent collections of gaslighting gibberish in recent political history - it was littered throughout with misleading suggestions and basic untruths. The Matts do a bit of fact checking on our dear leader’s latest spell behind baby’s first lectern. Also… a day out at the Sir Harry Evans Summit on investigative journalism inspires the Matts and provokes questions on how can the media do better. Get a FREE Bollocks To Brexit passport cover when you subscribe to The New European: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 12, 2024 · 36 min
Q&A: Elphicke's Defection & Should We Let 'Let It Be' Be?
'Potential' coalition governments, defections, the Beatles... it's the Q&A that has it all! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 10, 2024 · 1 hr 3 min
Gaza and Israel: The endless ripples of war
Who would have predicted the extent to which the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 would have changed the world to such a degree, in such a short time? The Matts debate their differences in a conversation that lays bare the tragic complexity of a crisis spreading division throughout the world. It’s a difficult listen - and all the better for it. Also - the Matts relish the new Withnail and I stage play and pay tribute to the late great Bernard Hill. Go ‘ed.. gizza listen! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 5, 2024 · 41 min
Q&A: Starmer EU optimism, Trump's Time and Prom hate backlash
In this Sunday Q&A episode the two Matts explore whether a potential Starmer government bodes well for GB/EU relations, if we should be worried about a 2nd term of Trump and Matt Kelly responds to his criticism of the last night of the Proms. Thanks for all of your questions. You can leave them on Spotify or email 2matts@tnepublishing.com Trump in Time: https://time.com/6972021/donald-trump-2024-election-interview/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 3, 2024 · 49 min
Catastrophe for Sunak from the jaws of defeat
Sunak is isolated and facing certain defeat in a General Election as this week’s local results make clear. What is left for the embattled PM as he states catastrophe in the face? Should he go to the country now, or tough it out even as his own party plots against him? And what of Starmer… how much of this week’s election results is down to his political brilliance or the political incompetence of his opposite number? All this and more as the Matts dissect the agitated state of British politics today… enjoy! LISTENER OFFER! https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 28, 2024 · 33 min
Q&A: Rishi's Rwanda Bill, separation of powers and Sam Smith
In this Sunday Q&A edition of The Two Matts, the pair try to your questions on everything from Rishi's Rwanda Bill to Sam Smith and whether a new legal age needs to be set, to buy the Daily Mail. Subscribe to The New European today! https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 26, 2024 · 49 min
Is it really okay to be proud about being English?
What is England? What is Englishness? The Matts are joined by Tom Baldwin and Marc Stears, authors of a fascinating new deep dive into the question of nationalism, called England - Seven Myths That Changed A Country And How To Set Them Straight. It’s a wide-ranging conversation on their journey from Runnymede to Hull via Plymouth, Wolverhampton, Oxford, Blackpool and Greenwich to discover the real England. Enjoy! Subscribe to The Two Matts: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 21, 2024 · 42 min
Q&A: Honeytraps, comms and commissioners
Have the Matts ever been victim to a honeytrap? What is a 'Police and Crime Commissioner' and should we bin off first names for MP's? This and more discussed in this weeks Q&A. Exclusive listener offer >> https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 19, 2024 · 47 min
You can take our fags.. but you’ll never take our FREEDOM!
The Matts get philosophical about smoking and what a ban means for Britain. Whisper it… but has Rishi Sunak done something not completely crap for once? Or is his proposed age-related ban on smoking the start of slippery slope towards big government invading the rights of its citizens? Also … the magnificence of Salman Rushdie’s response to 27 seconds of madness which saw him lose and eye and almost die less than two years ago. This week he is back with a Knife of his own - the title of his book centred on that awful attack. It’s not just a triumph of the will to live, says Matt D’Ancona; it’s a remarkable love story. Plus a terrific offer to subscribe to the UK’s fastest growing newspaper title The New European. Exclusive listener offer >> https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 14, 2024 · 33 min
Q&A: Poverty vs culture wars, Trump on abortion, and adultery
In this Q&A episode, Matt and Matt take on questions from you on poverty in the media, Trumps stance on abortion and Harold Wilson's love life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 12, 2024 · 58 min
How trans activists ended up on the wrong side of history
How did we get to the point where troubled children have been damaged by a health system that should have protected them? How did the dogma of trans activists subsume standard medical practices? And how do those who cynically cheered them on from the sidelines sleep at night? The Two Matts discuss the Cass Report, released this week, and what it says about media, activism and the right to have an open discourse without fear of censure. Also - how movie portrayals of Amy Winehouse and Emily Maitlis both fell short. Get a FREE signed copy of James O’Briens hardback book – How they broke Britain worth £20 when you subscribe today from just £1 a week - go here 👉 https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 5, 2024 · 48 min
The year so far (Spoiler alert: It’s worse than we could imagine)
How time flies when the world is on fire… a quarter of 2024 has already passed and the Matts check global progress against their expectations at New Year. It’s a grind reality check as Gaza and Ukraine go from bad to worse and Trump appears to be gaining ground on the White House. On the upside, there’ve been a bunch of cultural highlights to provide welcome distraction - not least the publication this week of Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan. “It’s like Bonfire Of the Vanities… but better” says Matt d’Ancona. Enjoy! Subscribe to the New European and get a free signed copy of James O'Brien's hardback book, How They Broke Britain (worth £20!) when you use this link >> https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 29, 2024 · 49 min
Stick or twist? Is it time the Tories gambled on dumping Sunak?
Have the Tories hit rock bottom.. or could things get even worse? The Matts gameplay their options with outcomes ranging from disastrous to cataclysmic. In the second half, they examine the role of satire in society and ask the question: Have we all lost our sense of humour? Subscribe to the New European and get a free signed copy of James O'Brien's hardback book, How They Broke Britain (worth £20!) when you use this link >> https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 24, 2024 · 37 min
Q&A: Does Owen Jones Deserve Better?
The Matts discuss Owen Jones resigning from the Labour Party, ponder the need for an upper chamber in the UK parliament, debate the influence of unions, Donald Trump's latest rhetoric and briefly touch on the identity of the next James Bond. Happy Sunday! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 22, 2024 · 51 min
Is Rachel Reeves right that Blair was wrong?
Rachel Reeves speech on the future of the economy is dense with ideas that will affect all our futures under a Labour government. What did she mean and why does it matter? The Two Matts do the deep dive into one of the most interesting and important speeches from Labour since they lost power. Also - the time Steve Harley gave Matt K the death stare … and George Lucas sent Matt D into a world of journalistic anxiety. Subscribe to the New European and get a free signed copy of James O'Brien's hardback book, How They Broke Britain (worth £20!) when you use this link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.