
The Two Matts
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.
Latest episodes

Dec 12, 2024 • 44min
Robert Jenrick’s fascist foghorn
Robert Jenrick started demanding Syrian refugees are deported from the UK less than a day after the fall of the tyrant they fled. But who is he really talking to? Who is he trying to impress? The Matts pick him apart. In part two they discuss the extraordinary response to the murder of US heath insurance boss Brian Thompson. How can anyone celebrate his cold blooded killing? The Matts test their theory that everything before “but” is bullsh*t. Enjoy.Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 9, 2024 • 45min
Is news from Syria too good to be true?
Al-Assad has fled to Moscow and the Damascus is in the throes of a revolution after decades of autocratic tyranny and the deaths of hundreds of thousands. So we should celebrate, right? Yes … but … the Matts explore the history of Syria, how we got here and how the past will bend the narrative of what’s to come. What should we make of the liberation of Syria this week? Enjoy.Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 8, 2024 • 33min
Q&A: why wasn't Putin on The Sh*t List?
Is there too much needless complexity in the progressive cause? How worried should we be by Musk's millions? And have The Matts suffered with 'brain rot?'Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 6, 2024 • 48min
We’ve heard enough to make up our mind about Keir
There’s a problem with Keir Starmer. He is a terrible communicator. His speech on Thursday was a mish-mash word-salad when what this country needs is a clear sense of leadership and direction to counter the rising tide of populism represented by Nigel Farage’s Reform. What we got instead was milestones, missions and foundations. If Britain is in a battle against far-right nationalism, is Keir Starmer the right general to lead it? The Matts discuss. And what does the chaos in France tell us about European politics? Can Macron survive the resignation of Barnier and what will Trump make of it all when he comes calling for the reopening of Notre Dame?Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 2, 2024 • 53min
Today’s wall of shame - Joe Biden and Gregg Wallace
How much damage has Joe Biden done to his legacy and, more importantly, the credibility of American justice? Granting Hunter Biden a pardon is a kick in the face to anyone clinging onto the idea that the Democrats held the moral high ground in US politics. The Matts discuss the ramifications, and the extraordinary back story, to his decision. Also - is Gregg Wallace finished? Should Jeremy Clarkson give him hope of salvation from terminal disgrace? How complicit is the BBC in Wallace’s behaviour and his downfall? Why is Nigel Farage so coy about it all? The Matts try to make sense of it all. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 1, 2024 • 28min
Q&A: Petitions, Labour bashing and what's up with Kamala?
In this weeks Sunday Q&A, The Two Matt's are asked why they keep giving Labour a hard time, why some people respect some votes and not others and what on earth is going on with Kamala Harris? All those and more, answered. Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 29, 2024 • 46min
Migration madness and reaction to our Sh*t List
Are the massive immigration numbers all they seem? Is there a better story to tell about immigration? And what do we do about Nigel Farage hijacking the news for the cause of nationalist populism? Also this week - reaction to The New European’s Shit List. Who’s on it? And who took it well (spoiler alert - it wasn’t Owen Jones!) … enjoy!Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 25, 2024 • 26min
The alarming rise of the far right in Europe
In the first half, the Matts discuss Labour’s chronic struggles since taking power. How did they get it so wrong, so quickly and what can they do to get back on track? Then the Matts take a cold look at the alarming rise of the far right across Europe. No longer a curiosity, it’s now a theme. What’s going on? The Matts have a couple of ideas.Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 24, 2024 • 29min
Q&A: A Referendum On Referendums?
Your questions answered, including why Keir Starmer should stay abroad, Trump's political maneuvers and whether we should have a referendum on referendums. The Matts share advice on how to maximise your cultural consumption and address how the beloved Barbour jacket, can become politically charged. Tune in for a comprehensive Q&A session analyzing these pressing topics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 22, 2024 • 1h 9min
The second most dangerous man in the world
The coming Trump administration appointment of Robert F Kennedy Jnr should terrify us all. An oddball conspiracy theorist who has a track record of causing real damage to the health of millions is to be the next Health Secretary of the United States. The Matts are joined by one of the world’s leading authorities on vaccines - Mark Honigsbaum - to understand the danger RFK Jr represents, not just to the US but to us all. But first - the Matts bid a fond farewell to John Prescott and wish there were many more of his ilk around today. Enjoy!Join The Two Matts LIVE this Monday! https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2mattslive/Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.