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 and instead embrace Labour’s natural audience: Us! In the first part, the Matts discuss the latest news from the ongoing Ukraine sell-out. 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 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 one man from North Carolina doom the entire Liverpool dock industry? How did a black pastor try to ignite the cause of Pan-Africanism from two knocked-together terrace houses? How did the Beatles go from being practically ignored by the city to being the centre of its renaissance? And what kind of politics do we need in an age of increasing obsolescence? All these questions are answered, and many more, in one of the most absorbing interviews the Matts have done. Enjoy!Buy Liverpool And The Unmaking of Britain through our affiliate link and help support the podcast: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13277/9781801108881EXCLUSIVE 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 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 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 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 European for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 thrives on instinct, without a plan or philosophy? All this and more in an interview both entertaining and terrifying. If you want to get inside Trump’s head, for better or worse, this is the place. Enjoy!Buy All Or Nothing by Michael Wolff via our affiliate link and help support the podcast: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13277/9781408713945EXCLUSIVE 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 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.

The discussion dives into Trump's shifting stance towards Ukraine, revealing his alignment with Russia and the consequences for the West. President Zelensky emerges as a figure of integrity, effectively navigating these turbulent times. The hosts assess implications for NATO and the EU, as well as the complexity of U.S. foreign policy post-Trump. They also highlight the challenges of maintaining international alliances amid rising geopolitical tensions. The conversation wraps up with reflections on global aid and the intricacies of defense strategies.

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 cancellation of HS2? And how can the north really compete with London and the south east when it comes to driving innovation and economic growth? All this - plus Andy looks forward to his beloved Everton’s move next season to one of the most exciting sporting arenas in Europe - Bramley Moore Dock slap bang on the majestic river Mersey. 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 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.

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 into European politics as Tanit makes sense of an election of enormous consequence. 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.