The Two Matts

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! EnjoyEXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get The New European for just £1 for the first month. Head to theneweuropean.co.uk/2mattsBuy 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/2mattsBuy 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/2mattsBuy Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson through our affiliate link to help support the podcast: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13277/9781805226055 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ceasefire is over. More than 400 Palestinians, including children, are dead after Israeli air bombardments in the middle of the night, with the assent of Donald Trump’s White House. What end is there now, other than the ultimate ethnic-cleansing of Palestine? Meanwhile, in New York’s Columbia University, a student is threatened with deportation for pro-Palestinian activism. The Matts look deep into the authoritarian regime forming in Washington. But don’t worry about any of that! Simply take your daily prescription of Copium and let your liberal anxieties drift away in a warm, fuzzy blur of complacency. It’s all the rage - and it’s why the Matts pledge the New European will forever be a Copium Free Zone. Tune in and find out why!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.