How Farage sucks the oxygen out of the political debate and the media fall for it every time PLUS what would life be like of the Tories get as badly wiped out as polls suggest and as a special treat for listeners, Matt D delivers Donald Trump’s Fathers Day message in full. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 17, 2024•41 min
In this Sunday's Q&A, The Two Matts are asked whether a Labour 'super majority' is good or bad drawing on historical results to try and predict the impact of a huge majority. They also dive into the unique structure of The Reform party and its implications, and are challenged on what they went without in their childhood. Subscribe to The New European with this OFFER: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 16, 2024•26 min
After an opening half dissecting the latest election news, the Matts hook up with Dylan Jones, editor of the Evening Standard and ex-editor of GQ in the UK whose new memoir These Foolish Things is out now - an extraordinary trip through modern British culture taking in some of the biggest names in pop, rock, media and art. And it’s a very personal conversation; Dylan talks about growing up with a violent father and also the rape he suffered aged 17. It’s a must listen for anyone interested in ho...
Jun 14, 2024•56 min
The Matts explore the depths of Sunak’s catastrophic decision to bail from D-Day, trying to understand what might have possessed him… and they question if the gift he’s handed Nigel Farage could have possibly come at a worse time, coinciding as it does with Europe’s far-right gaining collective momentum. On a more hopeful note, they agree Lib-Dem leader Ed Davey is putting a good audition … not for PM, but Leader Of The Opposition. Could he be the voice of conscience standing across the dispatch...
Jun 10, 2024•36 min
The Two Matts dive into Labour's stance on Sunak's honours list and discuss what a truly independent honours system could look like. They debate Nigel Farage's potential to lead the right and the notable silence on Brexit from opposition parties. They also explore gonzo journalism, media influence, and the peculiar phenomenon of 'time slips.' Tune in for a deep dive into current political dynamics and media trends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 09, 2024•28 min
The Two Matts digest the aftermath of the Sunak v Starmer TV debate and find big problems with both candidates … but at least one of them is actually capable of opening his mouth without a lie spilling out. In Part Two, they reflect on the inimitable courage of the D-Day generation … and consider a family story that perfectly illustrates just how much was lost on those Normandy landing stages. Subscription Offer: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
Jun 07, 2024•45 min
Welcome to the first Two Matts General Election special podcast - and you join us with the breaking news that Nigel Farage has thrown himself into the campaign in a surprise announcement - taking over the leadership of Reform and running to win the Tory-held seat of Clacton. It’s the worst news Sunak could have wished for - but how should Starmer be feeling? Is the Labour leader fully aware of what he’s up against? The Matts are, as you’d expect, sceptical. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
Jun 03, 2024•43 min
Topics include the impact of Brexit on the UK and the Conservative Party, the reasoning behind voting Tory in this election, what the new portrait of King Charles III says about politics in the country, and the future of AI in various fields such as defence and medicine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 02, 2024•21 min
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… en...
May 31, 2024•1 hr 19 min
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 [email protected] You can subscribe to The New European here: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...
May 26, 2024•34 min
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 Abou...
May 24, 2024•55 min
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 ...
May 23, 2024•31 min
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 [email protected] 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 19, 2024•42 min
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 ...
May 17, 2024•55 min
'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 12, 2024•37 min
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 ...
May 10, 2024•1 hr 4 min
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 [email protected] Trump in Time: https://time.com/6972021/donald-trump-2024-election-interview/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 05, 2024•41 min
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 t...
May 03, 2024•50 min
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 28, 2024•33 min
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 Acas...
Apr 26, 2024•50 min
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 21, 2024•42 min
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...
Apr 19, 2024•47 min
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 14, 2024•34 min
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 Maitl...
Apr 12, 2024•59 min
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” say...
Apr 05, 2024•49 min
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 aca...
Mar 29, 2024•49 min
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 24, 2024•37 min
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 hard...
Mar 22, 2024•52 min
Did Deggsy do well for Liverpool? Why is no one intervening in Gaza? Can you ban “extremism”? And is Fargo better than the Big Lebowski? The Two Matts take the big questions of our times head on Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 17, 2024•26 min
The inside track on how Princess Kate and the Royal press offices messed up so badly … and how some of the most famous photographs ever were faked. But first … another week of shambolic governance courtesy of the Conservative Party. Racism, misogyny, dodgy contract relationships and abject failure of leadership. In other words, just another week in Tory land. The Two Matts offer their inimitable perspective on Sunak’s house of chaos. Further Reading: Racism Without Racists: Color-Blind Racism an...
Mar 15, 2024•42 min