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The Two Matts

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May 13, 2025 • 46min

Mr Starmer’s strange island of strangers

Join Matt Kelly and Matthew d’Ancona as they try to make sense of Labour’s latest plans for immigration. Are they trying to outflank Farage? What will their core voters think? And does this make their chances of a second term more or less likely? Also - are the Tories finished as a political force? Matt D lays out a compelling case for their terminal condition. What does this mean for UK politics? 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.
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May 11, 2025 • 32min

Q&A: Rip-off train fares, vile Andrea Jenkyns and bye bye Weightwatchers

The Matts get their heads around the cost of travelling in the UK by train, wonder if the death of Weightwatchers signifies a stage of human evolution, lament the disgraceful comments of Reform’s Andrea Jenkyns and offer their guiding hand to Downing Street… 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.
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May 8, 2025 • 46min

The problem with this Labour government is…

The Matts are joined by New European political editor James Ball to step back and reflect on why Keir Starmer’s government is conspicuously failing to excite and unite a British public desperate for change after so many years of Tory rule. They have their theories. Is there an easy(-ish) answer? And who should they really be worried about if it’s not Reform? In the second half, the Matts take a look at the new documentary into the life of Leni Riefenstahl, filmmaker to the Nazis, and ask what her post-war rehabilitation tells us about the intersection of culture and politics.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.
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May 6, 2025 • 53min

Zbig: the man who shaped the world

The Matts are joined by acclaimed author and FT journalist Edward Luce to talk about his new book Zbig— the definitive biography of Zbigniew Brzezinski, Cold War strategist and key architect of U.S. foreign policy. More than just a biography, Zbig offers sharp insights into the nature of power and America’s role in the world. If you want to understand how global strategy is shaped, this episode is essential listening.Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America's Cold War Prophet is out on May the 13th. Preorder here.EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get The New European for just £1 for the first month. Head to theneweuropean.co.uk/2matt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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May 4, 2025 • 41min

Disaster prepping, taxing sugar and enough of Tony Blair already

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.
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May 2, 2025 • 46min

Election special - Be clear, Keir: You’re failing

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.
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Apr 29, 2025 • 48min

The murder of Virgina Giuffre and Trump’s 100 days

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 scorecardsEXCLUSIVE 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.
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Apr 27, 2025 • 32min

Q&A: Does Keir Starmer possess a moral compass?

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.
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Apr 24, 2025 • 1h 5min

The truth about Pope Francis … and your reaction to our trans debate

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.
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Apr 22, 2025 • 1h 11min

How to grow your moral ambition, with Rutger Bregman

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.

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