The Matts are transfixed by Trump’s address to Congress. Once they get over the sheer magnetism of his schtick, they unpack how it works and why the right is so good at messaging. In part two, they analyse what might be the greatest speech to date about the horrifying implications Trump holds for Europe. A real reality check, articulated perfectly by a French centre-right politician. If you seek clarity in what Trump means for democracy, then click and listen. Enjoy! EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get The New...
Mar 06, 2025•54 min
The Matts are joined by Trump chronicler supreme, Michael Wolff, whose new book All Or Nothing is a riveting and revelatory telling of Trump’s extraordinary journey back to the White House. What are the characteristics that turned a seemingly irredeemable position into a second term? What do his inner circle really think of him? Why does Melania “hate his f***ing guts?” What triggered such an explosion against Zelensky? What has Putin got over him? And how can Europe deal with a President who th...
Mar 04, 2025•52 min
The Matts grapple with our former Prime Minister's latest outbursts, dig into a deep mailbag of Burnham questions and speculate wildly on the Oscars this evening. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 02, 2025•37 min
What is Trump’s real objective? And what do European leaders do now, as the reality that the President of the United States is not simply indifferent to their fate, but actively hostile. Trump hasn’t just abandoned Ukraine - he’s actually switched sides and in siding with Russia over the carve up of its territory and mineral wealth, has sealed the coffin lid on what we grew up knowing as The West. Only one man emerges with integrity and understanding of what Trump wants and how to deal with him ...
Feb 27, 2025•41 min
Manchester mayor Andy Burnham joins the Matts ahead of this week’s Convention of the North - the annual meeting of minds focussed on the ongoing revival of the UK’s great northern regions and cities. Andy delves deep into the opportunities and challenges facing cities like Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds - emerging from the threat of obsolescence into economic and cultural powerhouses of the 21st Century. Does Westminster really have a clue about the North? How much of a blow was the cancellatio...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Should the Matts write the briefing notes for Keir Starmer’s trip to see Trump? What would Mr Kelly do if a populist Government tried to muzzle The New European? And what should we make of Boris Johnson's silence on matters Ukraine these past few weeks? All these questions and more answered on today's Q&A. Enjoy! EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get The New European for just £1 for the first month. Head to theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 23, 2025•31 min
The Matts are joined by New European columnist Tanit Koch who tells them everything they need to know about the weekend’s federal elections in Germany. What are the consequences of the far right AfD’s growing support? What difference will a conservative Chancellor make on illegal immigration and the economy - the two burning issues at the heart of this vote? And what role can Germany play in a Europe suddenly confronted with the reality of a Donald Trump presidency? It’s a fascinating insight in...
Feb 20, 2025•42 min
Keir Starmer has pledged British boots on the ground to keep whatever peace Trump and Putin carve up between them over Ukraine. The consequences are staggering and disturbing, as the Matts discover during the course of a tightly argued podcast. Meanwhile, JD Vance openly humiliates European leaders and sends the clearest signal yet that America First is a slogan representing international menace and opportunism and national selfishness. How can divided and US-dependent European nations hope to d...
Feb 17, 2025•51 min
Is Labour's immigration posturing the last straw for those who wanted a progressive Government? Should Eric Schmidt be listened to about anything? And was the last Liverpool derby at Goodison a game for the ages? The Matts ponder all in this Sunday's bonus Q&A episode. Enjoy! EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get The New European for just £1 for the first month. Head to theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 16, 2025•31 min
The Matts are live at the Media Collective Summit and discuss the extraordinary pace of events in Washington - are we literally watching a coup taking place in the world’s biggest democracy? Who is in charge? Elon Musk or Donald Trump? And what are the consequences for Europe? How should Starmer react? In part two - are politicians getting crapper? The Matts discuss and make an astonishing discovery (for them anyway) about William Gladstone. Enjoy! EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get The New European for just ...
Feb 13, 2025•40 min
The Matts are joined by Bloomberg’s Parmy Olson - author of “ Supermacy: AI, ChatGPT and the race that will change the world ”. Parmy leads us through the development of Artificial Intelligence; the extraordinary story of the two men leading the race towards AGI (don’t worry, all will be explained); and the enormous opportunities and challenges this new technology brings. If you find yourself wondering what the fuss on AI is all about, and why it should terrify you … or not, then this is the pod...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Is the leader of the opposition "Bad Enoch" or just "bad enough"? Are there no red lines for the UK when facing Trump? And do journalists pale in comparison to the Black Country Bard himself, Mr Adrian Chiles? Find out in our latest instalment of our weekly Q&A. Enjoy! Get a FREE bottle of tequila when you subscribe to The New European (over 18s only, see ts and cs): theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 09, 2025•26 min
The Matts are dumbfounded by Trump’s plan to take ownership of Gaza and turn it into a Mediterranean riviera - or, more accurately, force the displacement of millions of Palestinians and totally demolish any chance of progress toward a two-state solution. This lunatic approach to international policy is an entirely new and terrifying form of statecraft - how can leaders react? Also - the Matts watch Go Back Where You Came From … the Channel 4 TV show that has caused outrage for sensationalising ...
Feb 06, 2025•42 min
The Matts are joined by Damian Collins - former Tory minister who launched a national inquiry into fake news and election interference. How can we protect society from online harm? How can government’s hope to contain the whims of a man like Elon Musk? And what does he make of Kemi Badenoch’s first months as leader of the Conservatives? The Matts also explore his fascination with two giants of a bygone era, David Lloyd George and Theodore Roosevelt . What would they make of today’s political car...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 12 min
Have we already lost more cash post-Brexit than the entire time we were in the EU? Should we have been harder on Peter Hyman? Will the UK buy Greenland? These questions and more are answered in today's bonus episode. Plus: is Adrian Chiles the new TS Elliot? Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 02, 2025•37 min
There’s no doubt about it - Reeves and Starmer are at least trying to switch up from the doom and gloom that characterised their first six months in power. Have they finally got the tone right? Is the strategy right? Is it enough? The Matts discuss. Also … why you’ve got to go and see The Brutalist. The film, set largely in post-WW2 America and starring Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce made a big impression on both Matts… in this podcast they delve into the Brutalist’s themes and find them strangely ...
Jan 30, 2025•44 min
In a wide-ranging and fascinating conversation, Peter Hyman - former senior advisor to both Tony Blair and Keir Starmer - discusses his recent New European cover story and the reaction to it. What are the seven deadly sins of progressive centrist politics and its adherents? How can we stem the rising tide of populist nationalism? And how is Keir Starmer’s government doing so far? Peter - who also set up the ground-breaking School 21 in Stratford, London - also discusses what’s wrong with our edu...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 14 min
In this Q & A The Two Matt's discuss Hillary Clinton's reactions to Trump, the rise and strategies of populist leaders like Trump, Meloni, Orban, and Le Pen, and the idea of criminalising ecocide. They also discuss the media's handling of figures like Nigel Farage (aka Mr Fridge) and did Elon Musk know what he was doing? Get a FREE bottle of tequila when you subscribe to The New European (over 18s only, see ts and cs): theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...
Jan 26, 2025•30 min
In the first 48 hours of his presidency, Donald Trump demonstrated all the qualities he’s famous and feared for: absolute lack of inhibition, crassness, provocation .. and, yes, audacity. What do the Matts make of it? Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the atrocities of Southport, Keir Starmer has redefined the term terrorist and promises to get tough on the sale of kitchen knives online. Does his approach make any sense? The Matts have a vigorous exchange of views on a very difficult topic. Enjoy G...
Jan 22, 2025•47 min
The Matts watch the Trump inauguration in real time and give their snap verdict at the beginning of four years of the new world order under President Donald Trump. Is there anything to suggest things won’t be the catastrophe they have feared? Tune in, find out. They also discuss reaction to Peter Hyman’s brilliant essay in The New European on a way forward for progressives versus populists. In the battleground for ideas, the Matts face into some cold, hard home truths. Enjoy. Further Reading: Da...
Jan 20, 2025•47 min
The Two Matts dive into Biden's farewell address on the new tech oligarchy, compare Trump's Greenland ambition to Russia's Ukraine situation, and tackle left vs. right arguments on the culture wars. They also contemplate the implications of modern monetary theory (MMT), AI's black box nature, and who holds more power between Musk and Trump. And there's just time for the Matts to give their verdict on the BAFTA nominations. Enjoy! Get a FREE bottle of tequila when you subscribe to The New Europea...
Jan 19, 2025•38 min
God willing, the catastrophe that began with Hamas atrocities on October 7 and led to the destruction of Gaza and more than 40,000 dead is at an end. The Matts consider what comes next for the region, and what could motivate Trump’s America to ensuring a lasting peace. Also - as fires continue to rage in Los Angeles - is it time populist leaders like Nigel Farage and Donald Trump acknowledged that the climate crisis is anything but a hoax? The world faces enormous changes in the coming generatio...
Jan 16, 2025•39 min
Keir Starmer threw his lot in with a computing revolution today - is his confidence in Artificial Intelligence’s ability to transform the UK economy grounded in reality? The Matts have questions. Meanwhile, and not unrelated to today’s announcement, the economy (you may have noticed this) is proving stubbornly resistant to Starmer’s enthusiasm. As his beleaguered Chancellor defends her recent trip to China, the Matts ask if, and when, it’s the right time for the PM to consider Rachel Reeve’s pos...
Jan 13, 2025•56 min
Should there be a national inquiry into grooming gangs, or one about cultural integration in the UK? The Matts also delve into the origins of Elon Musk's talking points, the economic challenges facing the UK under Rachel Reeves, as well as Labour's Brexit strategy. Plus: more on Neil Oliver as a Lindisfarne roadie. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 12, 2025•32 min
Mark Zuckerberg has picked up the baton from Elon Musk as this week’s most depressing social media titan. His announcement to kick out fact-checking and let the community police itself is a significant moment in the rules (or lack of) governing how most of the world gets its news and opinions. The Matts discuss the potential damage, why this has happened now, and what a if anything - can citizens and governments do to resist the erosion of factual information in our times. Enjoy! Get a FREE bott...
Jan 09, 2025•50 min
What can we expect in 2025? The Matts take a view on the key issues facing the world in the next twelve months … plus: how to deal with a bully like Elon Musk. What can Keir Starmer do in the face of lies and slander spread across the sewer of X? And how low will Kemi Badenoch sink in her efforts to trump the populism of Nigel Farage’s Reform? Get a FREE bottle of tequila when you subscribe to The New European (over 18s only, see ts and cs): theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 19 min
More milestone moments from the Matts prompted by some whistful listener questions concerning the idea of voting tests, those we lost in 2024 and what they're looking forward to in 2025, including Liverpool's potential league win. We'll be back on Jan 6th. Until then - have a merry Christmas, and enjoy the last podcast of the season. Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...
Dec 22, 2024•20 min
The Matts reflect on the momentous year that is drawing to a close. Who made them cheer? Who made them boo? Who made them fall about laughing? It’s all here. Some of the names won’t come as a shock .. but there are a plenty of surprises. How does the Matts list of heroes, villains and clowns compare to yours? Only one way to find out … enjoy! Content warning: references to rape Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted...
Dec 19, 2024•47 min
If one had any remaining shred of doubt that Prince Andrew is the biggest idiot in the realm, it was dispelled this week. Not content with being the close chum of a sex-ring monster, Andrew has also tainted the monarchy by becoming besties with a Chinese spy. The Matts discuss the fall out and wonder who the biggest fool is; Andrew, or the spy who imagined he’d have anything worth revealing. Meanwhile, no contenders for the biggest liar contest. Step forward Boris Johnson with his bizarre rallyi...
Dec 16, 2024•39 min
The Matts are told (not asked) that the EU isn't working, offer up advice to win discussions over Christmas dinner, and while Starmer is bashing Whitehall... is DOGE actually a good idea? Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 15, 2024•34 min
