The Two Matts

The Matts consider life without electricity, are staggered by the sugar in kids’ milkshakes, wonder who will hold Farage to account, celebrate VE Day and ask why Tony Blair feels the need to undermine net zero. Oh, and they also continue their quest for evidence of Neil Oliver’s past life as a Lindisfarne roadie. 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.

The success of Reform in this week’s local elections and at the Runcorn by-election is not so much a wake up call as a fire alarm that should be clanging loud and clear at Labour HQ. But are they listening? If so, do they understand what they hear? The Matts believe a dramatic change is required. Clarity in strategy, excellence in communications. and a new occupant at Number 11. But above all, a focus on Labour’s core support. The Matts have specific ideas on how this can be achieved, but are clear about the alternative; either find a way to beat him, or prepare for Prime Minister Farage. 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.

The Matts discuss the tragedy of Virginia Giuffre and what her story tells us about the impunity of the wealthy and famous. Also - 100 days of Donald Trump. On a scale of 1-10, how’s he doing so far? The Matts fill in their scorecards 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.

What does Keir Starmer’s flip-flop on the definition of a woman tell you about him? Should MPs be getting a £60k pay rise? Have we had enough TV specials on British injustices? What’s the next big crisis to engulf mankind? And what the actual f*** was that person in a bunny suit doing next to Trump? 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.

What kind of Pope was Francis? Is it chaos and division he leaves in his wake… or a pathway for a more liberal, hopeful Roman Catholic Church? The Matts discuss his legacy. Also this week - the Matts’ inbox was bursting at the seams with reaction to their recent pod on trans rights and the Supreme Court’s definition of what a woman is. They take you through a representative selection - with some fascinating points of view. 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.

The Matts are joined by Dutch popular historian and author Rutger Bregman to discuss his new book, Moral Ambition. How does the world change for the better? Why do so many talented people do bullsh*t jobs? And what’s wrong with a life spent worrying about reducing your carbon footprint to zero? Rutger’s a man with strong opinions on all the above and more. It’s a fascinating in-depth interview on what you - yes, YOU! - need to do to fix the planet. 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.

Join the Matts this Easter Sunday as they tackle a wide range of topics: Is it time we abandoned Sunday trading laws? How should we think about assisted dying? Is the death penalty appropriate for people who split infinitives? Why isn’t the minister for technology more important? And is there life on Mars? Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WARNING: If easily triggered by rational discussion of complicated social topics, then this episode may not be for you. This week, the Matts react to the Supreme Court ruling defining women by their biological sex. It’s a landmark in a vitriolic, and sometimes violent, battle over trans rights. Who should hang their heads in shame at their conduct over this issue? Who deserves plaudits for courage in the face of cancellation? And how can we finally start to act constructively to overcome the obvious social challenges being trans creates - so everyone can co-exist in dignity? Also this week: How should society deal with the most reprehensible and dangerous criminals? News that the terrorist brother of the Manchester bomber was able to maim prison officers because he had access to self-catering facilities has shocked the Matts. They explore the options for dealing with the worst of the worst. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The row over Chinese investment in British Steel opens up a whole can of worms for the Matts. How does an astroturf football pitch in Copenhagen, Argentinian Che Guevara and a steelworks in Scunthorpe all add to the debate? Only one way to find out … listen! Also this week - congratulations to Douglas Murray, right-wing author and commentator, for giving the almighty king of podcasting, Joe Rogan, some serious home truths. How can people maintain a grip on reality when podcasts they tune into are so ready to platform, to use Murray’s phrase, pure horsesh!t. It’s a podcast full of the big questions this week - 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.

This week the Matts answer questions on Keir Starmer’s Keep Calm response to global economic mayhem; what Kim Jong Un is getting from Putin; whether the Beatles are any match for the mighty Rolling Stones; whether Nigel Farage is entirely in command of the respect of EU leaders; and do you home in or hone in? 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.

The Assisted Dying Bill gave the Matts plenty to think about a few months ago. Since then much has changed as it made its way through parliament. Has any of it changed the Matts’ minds? The answer is yes - but it’s a nuanced and challenging difficult debate without any easy answers. All the more reason to have it, in true Two Matts style. But first - as Trump doubles down on his trade war with China (or is it now trebles or even quadruples down? We’ve lost count!), the Matts assess the intellectual coherence of those saying we should thank Brexit, and they also think about the long term effects of an effective shutdown of trade between two of the world’s greatest markets. 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.

The Matts are joined by João Vale De Almeida, whose 40 year career as a diplomat has seen him represent the EU in the United States, the United Nations and … thanks to Brexit … as history’s first ever EU ambassador to the UK. João’s new book - The Divorce of Nations - could not be more timely; an exhilarating ride through the political turmoil of this century so far. Why did America turn inwards economically? What drives Vladimir Putin? How and when could the UK ever hope to return to the European Union? And what is the future of the EU itself? All this and more in an engrossing conversation with a man who has seen it all … and still remains an optimist! Enjoy EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get The New European for just £1 for the first month. Head to theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts Buy The Divorce of Nations through our affiliate link and help support the podcast: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13277/9781803997674 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Matts tackle questions from listeners including learned helplessness, a new timezone for Scotland, are the Beatles uniquely great, welfare v warfare (which nearly ends up in a dust-up) and a flood of American refugees into the UK. 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.

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 trade war is every bit as cataclysmic as it seems. If you aren’t yet convinced that this new Trump era represents a fundamental change in how our world operates, then you haven’t been paying attention and you certainly haven’t been listening to enough Two Matts. 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.

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 all Beatles fans but also anyone interested in their creative process and the psychology that bound them together. Before that – the Matts digest the incroyable news from France as Marine Le Pen is barred from political office for five years. Was it the end for her, or just the intro to the far right’s assault on the judiciary? Enjoy… EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get The New European for just £1 for the first month. Head to theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts Buy John And Paul - A Love Story In Songs by Ian Leslie through our affiliate link and help support the show: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13277/9780571376117 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 for just £1 for the first month. Head to theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 we find ourselves in. Also - the ghastly performance of deportations to El Salvador from the States has dark undertones of some of the worst fascist regimes in history. The Matts explore the history of performative cruelty and wonder just how immune from these horrors we here in the UK really are. 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.

Unprecedented scenes from Washington as it becomes apparent the US Government leadership has been wargaming on the equivalent of WhatsApp… and accidentally looped in a top journalist. The leaked security information – including specific details of American military missions – is astonishing enough. But what the messages also betray is the sheer loathing of Europe held by JD Vance and others in the administration. The Matts pick their jaws off the floor and discuss. Also - will Rachel Reeves’ “mission led” welfare cuts cut any ice with voters? And farewell George Foreman - the comeback king of American life. 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.

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 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.

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 to challenge Starmer at the next General Election. In Part 2, The Matts discuss one of the best books they’ve read in ages - Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. It’s an epiphany - how right wing nationalists use scarcity to scare people and how there’s a clear response from liberals if only they have the courage to make it. It will change how you think about this new world we inhabit. 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.