The Two Matts

On Liberation Day +1, the Matts take stock of the maniac’s economic shake-up and what it means for the world and the UK in particular. Stripping away the theatre and bullsh*t, they hone in on what is really happening in Trump’s head and ask the late Ronald Reagan for an explainer about why the coming […]

The Matts are joined by Ian Leslie, author of the stupendously good John And Paul – A Love Story In Songs. They explore the freakish nature of an artistic collaboration that shook the world, as Ian brings fresh insight to the intimate relationship between the most influential songwriters in history. It’s a must listen for […]

The Matts tackle listener questions this week on Gareth Southgate’s inspiring BBC lecture, Rachel Reeves’ survival chances, European defence spend, WhatsApp faux pas, the decline of the Democrats … and the big one; how can a couple of mere mortal journalists like us compete with master baker Adrian Chiles? EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get The New European […]

Is Rachel Reeves merely disappointing, or is there a willful denial of reality going on? Since when did Labour become the party of warfare over welfare? And who thought this was a great way to communicate national renewal? The Matts are bemused and worried that the government seems to have entirely misunderstood the new world […]

The Two Matts podcast on the extraordinary leak of war messages in Washington – and what it reveals about JD Vance

Should the French take back the Statue of Liberty? Will Canada join the EU? Why do Liverpool FC fans boo the national anthem? How can we control social media from brainwashing us? And why the hell are you two talking so fast? All these and more, answered just for you! Enjoy! EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get The […]

It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Nigel Farage and his Reform Party – 20% of whose MPs have been expelled and are now threatening to sue him. But beyond that fun, what does the split in the party mean? Should we take any comfort from it or the Farage juggernaut still on track […]

The ceasefire is over. More than 400 Palestinians, including children, are dead after Israeli air bombardments in the middle of the night, with the assent of Donald Trump’s White House. What end is there now, other than the ultimate ethnic-cleansing of Palestine?  Meanwhile, in New York’s Columbia University, a student is threatened with deportation for […]

Is America Brexiting from the world? Did we learn anything from Covid? Why isn’t history taught more in school? Have we got a problem with young white males? And was Kevin Bridges right about Trump all along? All this and more in this week’s Q&A with the Two Matts. Enjoy! EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get The New […]

The past two weeks have been good for Keir Starmer. As Tom Baldwin writes in this week’s New European, he has fallen back on his core qualities; a kind of radical relentlessness. The Matts assess his performance and ask if Starmer is ready to throw off the Labour obsession with appeasing the so-called red wall […]

The Matts speak with Sam Wetherell, author of the brilliant Liverpool And The Unmaking Of Britain. It’s not only a fascinating dive into the history of Liverpool, a city whose rise and fall impacted the whole world, but it’s also a prism through which we can try to understand our own complex times.  How did […]

The Matts tackle questions from listeners including should X be banned in the UK? Should we withdraw the offer of a State Visit for Trump? Are we AI friendly? And why the hell are we insulting the dignity of the Two Matts podcast by not wearing suits? Enjoy! EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get The New European for […]

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 […]

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 […]

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!

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 […]

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 […]

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! […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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!

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 […]

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? […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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!

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

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/

Robert Jenrick started demanding Syrian refugees are deported from the UK less than a day after the fall of the tyrant they fled. But who is he really talking to? Who is he trying to impress? The Matts pick him apart. In part two they discuss the extraordinary response to the murder of US heath […]

Al-Assad has fled to Moscow and the Damascus is in the throes of a revolution after decades of autocratic tyranny and the deaths of hundreds of thousands. So we should celebrate, right? Yes … but … the Matts explore the history of Syria, how we got here and how the past will bend the narrative […]

Is there too much needless complexity in the progressive cause? How worried should we be by Musk’s millions? And have The Matts suffered with ‘brain rot?’ Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell’s 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/

There’s a problem with Keir Starmer. He is a terrible communicator. His speech on Thursday was a mish-mash word-salad when what this country needs is a clear sense of leadership and direction to counter the rising tide of populism represented by Nigel Farage’s Reform. What we got instead was milestones, missions and foundations. If Britain […]

How much damage has Joe Biden done to his legacy and, more importantly, the credibility of American justice? Granting Hunter Biden a pardon is a kick in the face to anyone clinging onto the idea that the Democrats held the moral high ground in US politics. The Matts discuss the ramifications, and the extraordinary back […]

In this weeks Sunday Q&A, The Two Matt’s are asked why they keep giving Labour a hard time, why some people respect some votes and not others and what on earth is going on with Kamala Harris? All those and more, answered. Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell’s 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/

Are the massive immigration numbers all they seem? Is there a better story to tell about immigration? And what do we do about Nigel Farage hijacking the news for the cause of nationalist populism? Also this week – reaction to The New European’s Shit List. Who’s on it? And who took it well (spoiler alert […]

In the first half, the Matts discuss Labour’s chronic struggles since taking power. How did they get it so wrong, so quickly and what can they do to get back on track? Then the Matts take a cold look at the alarming rise of the far right across Europe. No longer a curiosity, it’s now […]

Your questions answered, including why Keir Starmer should stay abroad, Trump’s political maneuvers and whether we should have a referendum on referendums. The Matts share advice on how to maximise your cultural consumption and address how the beloved Barbour jacket, can become politically charged. Tune in for a comprehensive Q&A session analyzing these pressing topics.

The coming Trump administration appointment of Robert F Kennedy Jnr should terrify us all. An oddball conspiracy theorist who has a track record of causing real damage to the health of millions is to be the next Health Secretary of the United States. The Matts are joined by one of the world’s leading authorities on vaccines […]

What does Joe Biden’s move to permit the use of US missiles against Russian territorial targets mean for the war in Ukraine and the security of Europe? Also – what does the interminable Allison Pearson saga tell us about free speech in the UK? Enjoy! Join The Two Matts LIVE! https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2mattslive/ Subscribe to The New European […]

The Matts tackle Rory Stewart’s optimistic predictions and why hope alone isn’t a strategy. They delve into Elon Musk’s influence on politics and the uniqueness of Trump’s second presidency. The discussion then inevitably shifts to Brexit, and then takes a turn into dinner with Bob Geldof. With the Best Sweetcorn Ever. Enjoy! Join The Two […]

The full horror of sexualised abuse in the Church of England has claimed the scalp of Archbishop Justin Welby. Was he the victim of a witch hunt; a man forced out of office by unfair pressure as many seem to think? No, say the Matts. And there’s a CONTENT WARNING on this episode: some of […]

The election of Donald Trump poses huge challenges to the UK … but can Keir Starmer act to protect his government from the Trump storm to come? How can a small nation off the coast of the EU best defend its interests in the new global reality? And if Starmer’s challenge is daunting, his predicament […]

You join the discussion on the implications of Donald Trump’s election victory, the public’s perception of political candidates and the role of right-wing media and dark money. Plus Starmer’s advisor problem.

YOU join the discussion on the implications of Donald Trump’s election victory, the public’s perception of political candidates, and the role of right-wing media and dark money. Plus Starmers’ advisor problem. Join The Two Matts LIVE! https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2mattslive/ Subscribe to The New European and get 2 FREE packs of our 2024 festive cards worth £20: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/

In a moment of clarity, the Matts reflect on what just happened .. and why. And find themselves strangely energised by the thought of what is to come. Enough of the hand-wringing already – yes you Rory! – now is the time for action. Also – Matt D talked about working with the great Michael […]

It’s an earthquake and it changes everything. The Matts take in the scale of Trump’s victory and discuss how it happened and what it means; for the UK, for Labour specifically, for Ukraine, for the Middle East, for the climate. And they start to map out a response for fighting back against the oncoming tide […]

In this edition of The Two Matt’s Q&A, the pair take on questions on Reeve’s budget, taxes on the rich and lowering the voting age to 16. Also in this episode, where should the line be drawn on slavery reparations and what will the Matts be doing on the 5th of November? Email your questions […]

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 […]

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 […]

More on the contentious debate on assisted dying, including a view from Canada. Plus: alternatives to X and NHS reform insights.

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

As Keir Starmer enthuses to merchant banks and global conglomerates about opening up Britain for investment … and tearing down regulatory barriers that get in their way … the Matts wonder who actually runs the country? Not least since one of the shiny new investors are the very same people who ransacked Thames Water. And […]

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

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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

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. […]

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

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 […]

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 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.

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 … […]

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 […]

The Matts rifle through your inbox, covering everything from pensioner pushback to Jenrick’s rise from mediocrity to… irrelevance. Also: a non-apology over swearing. 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

The Matts speak to Andy Cowper, one of the leading journalists on health policy in the country – so someone who actually knows what he’s talking about. Andy gives a brilliant assessment of why the NHS is so broken today and how Keir Starmer should approach its repair. Also – are you holding your pets […]

The winter fuel debacle has been mismanaged by a Labour leadership long on misery and woefully short on a vision Britain can get behind. It’s early days but things have to improve. The Matts debate whether Keir Starmer understands what Britain needs right now … and that pointlessly punishing pensioners isn’t it. Also …. The […]

Join The Two Matts for this week’s Q&A as they delve into the integrity of British journalism and the concept of licensing for broadcasters. Also this week, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the English Channel, with a critical look at the government’s response, Oasis alternatives, medical alternatives and Christmas. Yes, Christmas. Love this? Then you’ll […]

The appalling negligence and greed that resulted in 72 people dying in the Grenfell disaster is laid bare. The Matts wonder why nobody is already on remand for manslaughter. They wonder whether the system is actually broken or if it’s working as it was set up to. They wonder how people like Jacob Rees-Mogg sleep […]

As Germany reckons with the rise of far right AfD politics in German regional elections, the Matts ask if simply demonising them is inviting disaster. Meanwhile – one Matt is feeling both smug about landing tickets for Oasis and furious that dynamic pricing has become the debate raging at the heart of our new Labour […]

Should smoking should be banned in designated outdoor spaces? The Two Matts answer this and other listener questions on the Conservative leadership contest, and a 101 on government debt. Plus, they ponder whether it’s still possible to maintain friendships across political divides in today’s polarised landscape. Love this? Then you’ll love The New European. Subscribe […]

Broadcasting legend Adam Boulton has, over forty years as a journalist, seen the media’s relationship with politics disintegrate. In the episode, he tells the Matts where things started to go wrong, what puzzles him about Starmer’s apparent fear of upsettting the right, and why an entire generation no longer understands the difference between news and […]

The Two Matts delve into your questions, including the UK’s daunting economic outlook amidst high public borrowing figures; the need for a hopeful roadmap from the government and compare the current situation with past examples of large-scale social upliftment like Lula’s policies in Brazil. They also explore if a Keynesian economic resurgence is on the […]

Listeners shower the Matts with universal adulation after last week’s interview with Charlie Mullins … apart from the 74 who wrote in asking what the hell were we thinking? Well, dear listeners … THIS is what we were thinking. But before that, in the first half, the Matts consider an extraordinary week for Kamala Harris […]

Charlie Mullins is the founder of Pimlico Plumbers and despite his challenging upbringing, has managed to build a highly successful business. He is a big supporter of remain, but despite being an ardent opponent of Brexit, has now decided to back Reform, led by Nigel Farage. In his conversation with The Two Matts, Mullins’ discusses […]

The Matts recall the London Olympic opening ceremony and ask if it would be even possible for Britain today to demonstrate such joy and confidence. And if not, then how can Starmer and Reeves rekindle the spirit of ambition and self-esteem that ceremony embodied – only for it all the come crashing down just four […]

The Matts answer your questions, from JD Vance’s political missteps to Netanyahu’s tactics. Also discussed: what did the impact of austerity really do for a ringfenced NHS? And how with it prosper amidst changing demographics? Plus: reflections on global sustainability, an entrenched capitalist system, energy resource challenges, and a glance at US-UK differences in the […]

Nigel Farage this week jumped into the aftermath of tragedy in Southport to cynically incite hate. While families grieved and a community came to terms with the horror of what unfolded at a children’s summer holiday class, Reform leader Farage took his chance to plant questions of conspiracy and terrorism into the minds of his […]

Rachel Reeves is genuinely shocked by the gap in public finances and has moved quickly to put out the binfire she inherited from Sunak and Hunt. But will she and Starmer have the boldness required to realise their talk of a decade of national renewal? The Matts need to be convinced. Also – the race […]

Should Michelle Obama be President? How has the political landscape changed following Kamala Harris’s emergence and what are Starmer and Reeves going to do with the inherited financial mess? These and more listener questions within. Subscribe to The New European for as little at £1/week and get an exclusive offer just for listening to this […]

This week, the Matts talk to Pulitzer-winning author and journalist Anne Applebaum about her terrific new book on modern autocracy – and how different it is to the 20th century totalitarian blocs. How complicit is the West in these new networks of corruption and repression? And – with the UN at a low ebb – […]

As the rest of podcastistan celebrates the dignity of President Biden’s departure from the race to beat Trump, the Matts are fuming and wonder how events might have unfolded had Joe seen sense six months ago. As it is, the contest is between a Black female Californian and an Orange lunatic. Can the Democrats win? […]

The Two Matts discuss Europe’s shift towards right-wing populism and its implications for the UK rejoining the EU; how media brevity has impacted political understanding and debate; the Trump shooting conspiracy theories, and the public’s diminished joy in politics and sports over the years. The intrepid podcasters also dive into how soundbite culture have reshaped […]