

The Two Matts
The New World
Join The New World'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 World newspaper - irreverent, witty, surprising, argumentative ... and annoying all the right people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apr 20, 2025 • 38min
Q&A: why can’t we go to the bleedin’ shop today?
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.

Apr 17, 2025 • 53min
Supreme sense? The aftermath of the trans rights ruling
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.

Apr 15, 2025 • 49min
But what is Britain anyway?
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.

Apr 13, 2025 • 34min
Starmer v Chamberlain and The Stones v The Beatles … fight, fight, fight!
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.

Apr 10, 2025 • 45min
Trump blinks – but don’t relax yet!
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.