The Two Matts

Join The New European'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 European newspaper - irreverent, witty, surprising, argumentative ... and annoying all the right people.<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Farage V Johnson and the Daily Mail

What does the election betting scandal say about Rishi Sunak’s qualities as a Prime Minister? And what is going on behind the scenes as Farage and Johnson go toe to toe over Putin and Ukraine … with a fascinating intervention by the Daily Mail. The Matts discuss all this … and revisit Matt K’s mini-adventure to Stuttgart with the Tartan Army this weekend. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

06-25
53:51

Q&A: Could cultural activism kill the arts and do we need electoral reform?

In this Sunday Q&A, the Two Matts ponder the Tories newfound support for electoral reform, given their historical stance. They also take on the complexities of proportional representation, and the significance of party majorities. Also, are festivals cutting ties with sponsors like Bailey Gifford and Barclays due to activist pressure a problem and what impact will this have on the arts? Want your question answered? You can email 2matt@tnepublishing.comSubscription offer: www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

06-23
33:00

Rosie Holt MP laughs in the face of Tory electoral collapse

The Matts are joined by comedian Rosie Holt whose alter ego MP has done what many thought impossible; successfully (and hilariously) satirised this Tory government. Rosie talks about her new book and faces into life as a political satirist after the chaos of the Conservatives… “we’re going to have to work a bit harder after this lot have gone”. Before that, after successive weeks of kicking the Tories, the Matts turn their focus to Labour and what has been, so far, a fairly uninspiring campaign. How can Keir do better? Enjoy! Subscription offer: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

06-21
47:14

General Election Special Week 3: Farage, contracts and Trump

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.

06-17
46:38

Q&A: Reform's unique setup, super majorities and what we went without

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.

06-16
30:30

The Freewheelin’ Dylan Jones

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 how culture and media intersect. Enjoy!Subscription offer! https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

06-14
01:02:37

Sunak’s disaster, Europe’s far-right... and a glimmer of Lib-Dem light

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 box holding an all-powerful PM Starmer to account? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

06-10
42:19

Q&A: Tackling Honours Lists, Farage's Future, and Brexit Silence

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.

06-09
34:06

“Can you trust Rishi” and other stupid questions

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 more information.

06-07
50:58

General Election Special: Week 1 - Farage is back

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 for more information.

06-03
49:54

Q&A: Brexit, Voting Tory, and AI in Medicine

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.

06-02
28:13

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.

05-31
01:26:02

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.comYou can subscribe to The New European here: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

05-26
41:46

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.

05-24
01:02:14

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.

05-23
37:40

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.comYou can subscribe to The New European here: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

05-19
47:33

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.

05-17
01:00:15

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.

05-12
42:13

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.

05-10
01:08:36

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.comTrump in Time: https://time.com/6972021/donald-trump-2024-election-interview/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

05-05
45:54

Doe

I look forward to your episode where you look at the funding of UK politicians by Israel and its proxies.

02-02 Reply

Simon Weaver

what the hell happened at about 44:15?

09-22 Reply

Pete 🔻🇪🇺 🌈 Manx 🇮🇲 @ Gran Canaria 🇮🇨

LGBTQIEU wasnt funny and you knew it. I blocked New European ages ago on Twitter for dodgy comments about our Trans friends and you 2 can f#ck off as well 🖕

08-15 Reply

Sérgio Oliveira

Almost had an aneurism listening to this lady.

04-21 Reply

Kate McCrickard

I am so pleased to discover your excellent podcast; you bring hope and humour to bleak politics. Thank you.

06-04 Reply

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