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.
Episodes
Why place matters so much to Andy Burnham
The Matts discuss the founding principles behind Andy Burnham’s emerging strategy for a “circuit break” in how politics works in the UK. Why is he obsessed with the idea of place? Why does it make so much sense as a corrective to the way Westminster operates? And why should people prattling on about vibes kindly give their heads a wobble? Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get The New World for
The Two Matts Q&A: Burnham’s to-do list and the shameless Brexit villains
The Matts answer listener questions including: What should be on Andy Burnham’s to-do list? How do the Brexit villains get away with it? Is Nigel Farage losing the plot? Should we criminalise climate crisis denial? Has Giorgia Meloni won us over? And why don’t we talk about video games more? Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www
Andy Burnham’s first six months
The Matts bring listeners up to speed with all the inside info coming their way on what Team Burnham may have in store for Britain. Who are the people behind the scenes preparing the ground for the new government - in what is surely make or break for Labour? And what are the policies that will define this new administration? How could Andy Burnham’s sense of a politics of place come to change a na
POD SPECIAL: It’s the end of the Keir show… now what?
The Matts bring you a special edition after Keir Starmer quit as UK prime minister. These monumentally historic events only occur every 18 months or so on average these days, but all the same - Starmer’s going crystallises the profound danger liberal progressive democracy faces in the UK. What awaits Andy Burnham? And what should his big bet be? The Matts have a plan. Enjoy!Produced by Matt Wither
The Two Matts Q&A: Where is Burnham weak? And is America humiliated?
The Matts answer listener questions in their regular Sunday morning Q&A, including… what will prove to be Andy Burnham’s biggest vulnerability? Has Donald Trump just suffered the biggest US military loss since Vietnam? Do UK nukes count for nothing? How do we improve the quality of our politicians? Is the BBC in acute danger? And is there life out there, beyond the stars? Enjoy!Produced by Mat
Game on… Burnham wins; now get on with it Labour
The Matts are in optimistic mood today with news of Andy Burnham’s resounding win in Makerfield. Has the Labour Party got the gumption to seize the momentum and get full square behind the one man we can objectively say has the ability to smash Reform? And what does the defeat of the sexist plumber in Makerfield mean for Nigel Farage? The Matts believe his problems are mounting. So, all in all, an
A history of Brexit in 256 disasters
The Matts celebrate the launch of A History of Brexit in 256 Disasters, a book by Jonty Bloom with a foreword by Alastair Campbell and amazing illustrations by Martin Rowson chronicling the disastrous consequences of the 2016 referendum 10 long years ago! You can get your copy at The New World's website or on Amazon (if you must!). Also, in part two - is Canada a model for British reinvention, and
The Two Matts Q&A: Do you really want your country back?
The Matts answer questions from listener’s including; are we heading for a summer of discontent; do we understand what people mean when they say they want their country back; should pensioners lose the triple lock; is Andy Burnham cutting the mustard in Makerfield; do too many kids go to university; and can you both please have another massive argument about Artemis? Enjoy!Produced by Ruby Mitchel
Farewell David Hockney … and farewell Keir Starmer too?
The Matts digest the events from yesterday and the underlying duplicity at the heart of government that resulted in the blistering resignations of John Healey and Al Cairns. How much longer can (or should) Starmer stay on? Also … the dreadful news that the great David Hockney has died. The Matts have a suggestion for how to mark his passing. Enjoy!Produced by Ruby Mitchell OFFER: Get The New World
Britain is in grave danger of disintegrating
The horrific attack by a Sudanese asylum seeker in Belfast has triggered a wave of disorder. What is underpinning the violence, and what can liberals not afford to dismiss it out of hand? It’s time again to face into very difficult questions … questions the far right have simplistic answers to but which have been left hanging by a Westminster elite out of touch, even contemptuous, of an angry elec
The Two Matts Q&A: Will Starmer survive, and has the Pope got it right on AI?
The Matts answer listeners’ questions in their weekly Q&A session, including: Is Kemi Badenoch now the best chance of beating Nigel Farage; can Keir Starmer actually see off this slow-moving coup; should Palantir be kicked out of the NHS; what is Michael Grade thinking when he defends GB News; has Pope Leo’s encyclical made sense of AI… and humanity; and if England win the World Cup, will it r
Nigel Farage gaslights the nation
The Matts discuss the dreadful murder of Henry Nowak and the ensuing political reaction. In particular, they examine Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s apparent strategy to leverage the murder for maximum political advantage - seeking exactly the division and hatred Henry’s grieving father has warned against. This is a taste of what to expect for the next three years as Farage seeks power. And a dark
The Two Matts Q&A: What hope for the next generation and how does Farage get away with it?
The Matts answer listener questions including: how can we change the system so our young people thrive; has reality TV gone too far; is Elon Musk a legend after all; why does anyone give a damn about bond markets; how does Nigel Farage get away with it; and what did the Victorians know that we seem to have forgotten? Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first
The Two Matts Q&A: A media scandal and a dementia hero
The Matts answer listeners' questions including: will the smear against Misan Harriman work; what will it take to get the UK back in the EU; should the Tories defer to Reform in the Makerfield by-election; and why does Eurovision hate the UK so much? Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast
Britain is failing the next generation. With Peter Hyman and Shuab Gamote
The Matts are joined by Peter Hyman and Shuab Gamote on the day they launch their incredibly impactful, important and moving report into the plight of one million NEETs in Britain - that’s young people Not in Education, Employment or Training. It’s a remarkable piece of work; a total eye-opener into a generational crisis which urgently needs a solution. The personal stories Peter and Shuab encount
SPECIAL with Misan Harriman: Under attack from the UK’s right wing press
The Matts speak with Misan Harriman, the chair of Britain’s largest arts and culture institution, the Southbank Centre. Misan has been under persistent attack from much of the UK’s right wing media - all for something he didn’t say. It’s an extraordinary and ugly case study in how the press in Britain work. But, perhaps, in Misan Harriman they’ve bitten off more than they can chew. Enjoy the podca
The Two Matts Q&A: Farage and the five million plus Palestine Action trial scandal
The Matts answer listeners’ questions including: where is the outrage over Nigel Farage’s ethical void; why do people who think they were sold a pup on Brexit now vote for the puppy salesman; should the entire cabinet now resign; what is China doing right; why are the Palestine Action 24 being sentenced as terrorists; and can the Matts suggest a short list of cultural destinations for a very speci
SPECIAL EDITION: The most consequential by-election ever…
The Matts consider just how much is at stake in the Makerfield by-election, assuming Andy Burnham is allowed to stand. Who will Reform put up against him (we have one idea) and what will Zack Polanski’s move be? Take a chunk of Burnham’s vote or sit it out? And how will Keir Starmer play his cards? If you want to hear two pundits try to work out what the hell any of this will add up to… you’ve com
AND... THEY’RE OFF!
Join the Matts as they discuss the omnishambles in Downing Street. Exciting times as they receive the breaking news that Wes Streeting has resigned and the contest to be the next PM is afoot. Who now holds the upper hand? Matt K has surveyed his most influential contacts on who will be PM by Christmas - their answer may surprise you. Certainly, Matt D disagrees. Either way - enjoy!Produced by Matt
The Two Matts Q&A: Starmer timetable, a Telegraph smear and love for David Attenborough
The Matts answer listeners' questions, including the optimal timetable for a Starmer handover; whether Andy Burnham is trustworthy enough to be PM; if Banksy modelled his statue on Nigel Farage; how you can criticise Israel and avoid accusations of anti-semitism and why the Telegraph is smearing the chair of the Southbank Centre; whether we should be terrified of hantavirus; and, apart from revolu
Election Special: Who will save Britain from Reform now?
The Matts reflect on a terrible day for both Labour and the Tories and ask what it is going to take to keep Nigel Farage from Downing Street. Three years ago they were mocked for suggesting Nigel Farage could be PM. Now he’s even money favourite to win the most seats at the next general election. What does this surge tell us about Keir Starmer and how Labour need to act if it stands a chance of mo
Special: Exploring the Ghosts of Iron Mountain with Phil Tinline
The Matts sit down with Phil Tinline to discuss his book The Ghosts of Iron Mountain - genuinely one of the most fascinating and consequential stories of our age. Phil tells how a 1967 hoax report into the desirability (or lack of it) of peace in America triggered a culture of conspiracy and paranoia which not only infects American politics today, but sometimes dictates it to a quite surreal degre
The Two Matts Q&A: Kings good, zoos bad
The Matts answer listeners' questions, including whether or not the UK should use the King more; whether we bash Starmer too much; if zoos really are the front line of conservation; and what is the most astonishing object the Matts have beheld? Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts/ H
The Starmer Conundrum… with special guest Tom Baldwin
A special episode of the podcast today with real depth of thinking on where Keir Starmer has gone wrong… and why right now is NOT the right time to replace him. Tom Baldwin is the journalist who knows Starmer best. He’s studied him at close range for years. He’s still very much got the inside track on how he’s thinking. In a totally candid conversation, Tom talks to Matt Kelly about the core of St
“A KNIFE THROUGH MY SOUL"... pod special on Morgan McSweeney
Hot from the two-and-a-half hours of select committee evidence, the Matts digest the evidence of Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and his role in the Peter Mandelson affair. It was engrossing testimony - giving a rare insight into how this Labour government operates (and which probably explains why they are in a state of permacrisis). In part two the Matts play out a few scena
The Two Matts Q&A: How to pay for the NHS and will robots rule?
The Matts answer listeners' questions including when Starmer should go; why we don’t vet our politicians; how to fund the NHS; why the news is relentlessly grim; whether banning social media for children is a good thing; and are The Matts looking forward to having robots provide unmentionable services to them in their dotage? Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get The New World fo
Should he stay or should he go now?
Indecision’s bugging the Two Matts… should Keir Starmer stay or should he go? If he stays there will be trouble. But if he goes it will be double. What is the right timing for a deeply disappointing premiership to end? It’s a clash of considerations - what’s right for the country, what would a successor look like, how do we get out of the cycle of endlessly dumping PMs? No easy answers but a diffi
Is a brave new world possible? With John Kampfner
Journalist and author John Kampfner joins the Matts to discuss his stunning new book Braver New World - a global travelogue of bold solutions to some of the world’s thorniest problems. Over three years of globetrotting to see for himself what can be done has given John a sense of belief in the future… but with some important caveats. So if you’re feeling pessimistic about the future, tune in and g
The Two Matts Q&A: The fall of Orbán, Corbyn and Kanye West
The Matts tackle listeners' questions, including how positive should we be about the fall of Orbán, why is Corbyn polling zero percent, is the collapse of the Wireless Festival a good thing, would they welcome Nicole Kidman at their deathbed… and what opinions do they hold which would alienate the most Two Matts listeners?Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get The New World for just £1
A New Hope from Hungary
The Matts assess Péter Magyar’s spectacular ousting of Viktor Orbán in Hungary and what it means for the fight against right-wing populism worldwide. It’s an encouraging moment but no time for complacency. In part two, they catch up with events in Iran and the deepening humiliation being visited upon Donald Trump as his strategy-free war continues. Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get&nbs
The Two Matts Q&A: Royal visit to the US, Roger Daltrey’s opinions and Italy’s football team
The Matts answer listeners’ Easter Sunday questions, including on whether or not the King should be visiting the States, whether the debate around joining the EU will be as divisive as 2016, if we can enjoy The Who when Roger Daltrey is a Brexiteer, whether Scott Mills should have been fired from the BBC, what would happen if NATO collapsed and how Italian football fell from grace. Enjoy! And Happ
DARK SIDE OF THE MATTS: A spectacular row erupts over NASA’s moonshot
The Matts fall out spectacularly and unexpectedly over NASA’s moon shot, Artemis 2. How is this even possible, you ask? They’re not even sure… but the topic quickly descends into a brutal space war of words. In part two, common ground is regained as they analyse the latest Trump position on Iran and ask whether this war is going to push the UK back into the arms of the EU faster than anyone could
The Two Matts Q&A: Are we journalists or activists?
The Matts answer your questions in their regular Sunday Q&A show, including whether their mission to see Reform fail is blinding them to the full picture, how the war in Iran is going for Donald Trump, whether Scotland’s MSPs can hack it, whether we have a problem in discussing Muslim culture in the UK and if The Repair Shop was right to cancel Bob Monkhouse. Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFE
Here’s how the UK joins the EU and sooner than you think
The Matts open with a war update - the signals from Washington point to an escalation which will be devastating for the world, yet the off-ramp (as it apparently must be called) is difficult to divine. In part two they discuss what seems to be an inevitable movement towards rejoining the EU. Labour are headed towards the position already fully asserted by the Greens and Lib Dems - that Brexit was
Podcast special: THIS WAR IS NOT REAL
The Matts explore how French philosopher Jean Baudrillard was right about the nature of warfare in the 21st century - especially when applied to the unprecedented chaos unfolding in the Middle East. It is, we hope, a thought-provoking conversation which tries to make some sense of what seems utterly senseless. Also - the Matts react to the bombing of Jewish ambulances in North London and ask: why
The Two Matts Q&A: On Trump, GB News, Tony Blair… and playing the drums
The Matts answer listeners' questions including whether or not Donald Trump has lost control of the war in Iran, why the BBC isn't covering The New World’s GB News investigation, how Tony Blair can still believe war in Iraq was right, whether we have learned nothing from Covid, if Angela Rayner is the next PM and how to keep sane in a world of dreadful news. Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER:&nb
Inside the GB News scandal - with Alan Rusbridger
Alan Rusbridger joins the Matts to discuss The New World’s investigation into GB News’s persistent breaches of Ofcom’s code on impartiality and accuracy. Get the inside track on the story from an editor who has led some of the most consequential newspaper investigations of our age. They discuss what happens next and what Ofcom should do to fix the reality of a TV channel out of control and basical
The Two Matts Q&A: Oscars, Oakeshott, China and centrism
The Matts answer listener questions including on Isabel Oakeshott’s hypocrisy, China’s century, the death of centrism, the rule of law, the future of the Telegraph and their tips for tonight’s big Oscar night in Hollywood. Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See ac
The increasingly complex calculus in being the British Prime Minister
The Matts tackle a number of intersecting topics: can the Peter Mandelson affair damage Keir Starmer more than it already has? What did his stance on Iran do for Labour in the polls? How is Westminster geared for an election where four - maybe five - parties are nip and tuck? And does Shabana Mahmood’s banning of a pro-Palestine march signal a split at the top of government? Enjoy!Produced by Matt
Trump’s Iran war could not be going more wrong
This Matts ad hoc pod episode takes stock of the first days of Operation Epic Fury and wonders if this is the war when it’s going well (as Donald Trump insists) what does it look like when it’s going badly? Oil through the roof, stock market crashes, service personnel coming home in coffins, regional allies being drone-attacked and now a new Supreme Leader who hates America even more than his dad
This week's Two Matts Q&A: Is this the start of World War III?
The Matts again respond to your queries. They discuss whether we are on the verge of World War III, why Mark Carney endorsed Donald Trump’s actions and why Dubai-based expats don’t pay their own way home. Plus they talk about whether political defectors should trigger a by-election, why they are so harsh on Keir Starmer and how he can save himself and and which artists they love and hate.Produced
Who’s winning the Iran War... and how can you tell?
The Matts unpick the events of the past week and are intrigued by the internal Labour Party politics that created a sense of chaos around the UK’s response to the war. They are also staggered - and not a little bit ashamed - of the UK’s humiliating lack of preparedness for events that were wholly foreseeable. Has this all just confirmed what many suspected - that these isles are wholly ill-equippe
Trump’s War: The man with no plan bombs Iran
The Matts do their level best to make sense of the last three days - events which make little sense in isolation, but once a wider spectrum of factors comes into play, does a sinister strategy emerge? Donald Trump is defying the US electorate just at a time when he needs to be rebuilding support. Why doesn’t he care? Was the suspected aspiration for a short four- or five-day conflict, followed by
This week's Two Matts Q&A: Deference, Piers Morgan deepfake and Tracey Emin
The Matts answer questions from listeners, including whether or not the age of deference is dead; is Trump going flat; is Farage just like Thatcher; why doesn’t NATO repel Russia; what does a deepfake of Piers Morgan say about the future; and is Tracey Emin right about museum and gallery funding? Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month.
The Two Matts by-election special: OK, is it clear enough yet Labour?
Maybe it’s sinking in now? The Matts agree that whatever mitigation there is, Keir Starmer’s Labour government does not have the cut-through with voters to win the next general election. The clock is ticking - just 175 weeks at most until the next election. Does Labour have enough time and the right person to see off the dual threat of a resurgent socialist message from the Greens or the ethno-nat
ARGUMENT ALERT! The Matts clash over Tourette’s row
Before the Matts start kicking lumps out of each other, they enjoy the relative calm of a brief discussion on the smokescreen around the arrest of Peter Mandelson. Then it all kicks off as they explore the ramifications of the N-word Bafta Tourette’s row. It would take about 1,000 words to explain the points of difference, so just click play and enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get T
The Two Matts Q&A: Nigel Farage, Jim Ratcliffe and assorted other nasties
The Matts answer listeners' questions, including whether Nigel Farage really is a man of the people, if Manchester United deserve an owner as odious as Jim Ratcliffe, how to deal with friends who turn bad, whether we just wait out Donald Trump… and what is our favourite Robert Duvall role? Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.t
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: The photo that says it all
The Matts sweep up an extraordinary 24 hours in British history. But first, they marvel at the power of a single photographic frame - currently splashed on every newspaper front page in the country. Is this the most extraordinary back seat photo since Thatcher? Then they discuss if the media has an innate deference to the Royal Family and whether Jonathan Dimbleby in particular needs to rethink hi
SPECIAL: ANDREW MOUNTBATTEN-WINDSOR ARRESTED!
The King’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested this morning by Thames Valley Police officers investigating allegations of misconduct in public office. It is an historic moment in British history. While he remains innocent until proven guilty, the consequences of the arrest of the former Duke Of York will have a profound impact around the world. The Matts get their heads around just h
The Two Matts Q&A: Starmer coup, Sadiq for PM and too much Dracula?
The Matts answer listeners' questions. This week: is Keir Starmer the new Joe Biden; why isn’t Sadiq Khan in the frame for next PM; how does Boris Johnson get off so lightly; should we keep calling Prince Andrew Prince Andrew; why are the Brits sucking up to Noel Gallagher; and do TV bosses make too many repeats of telly classics? Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get The New World for just £1
Re: Starmer - a little humble pie, a lot of conviction
The Matts reflect on the last week, and address their own fallibilities (and thank you, dear listeners, for pointing them out!). But the argument around Keir Starmer’s premiership remains solid. Also - is the Royal Family doing enough to bring the wrong ‘un formerly known as Prince Andrew to justice? Enjoy.Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to ht
Face it, Keir, it’s over. But you could still save the nation
The Matts digest the events of the past 24 hours. Will Morgan McSweeney’s departure delay or hasten the existential crisis facing Keir Starmer? Does Starmer’s plea bargain over Peter Mandelson’s appointment wash? How could he take a bold personal decision and salvage his legacy? And of all the problematic contenders circling overhead, who could achieve mission barely-possible: to keep Nigel Farage
The Two Matts Q&A: Mandelson rage, arrest Andrew Windsor and Zack Polanski on drugs
The Matts answer listeners' questions including: why has this Peter Mandelson scandal provoked such enormous fury, why is not-Prince Andrew still at large, can Zack Polanski be trusted, is the House of Lords really a threat to democracy and what is the best protest song ever? Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.
This is the end for Keir Starmer
The Matts assess the last 24 hours and reach an inescapable conclusion: Keir Starmer will not survive the Mandelson affair. He may limp on for weeks, even months. But the damage of this specific event has ignited such a rage within and without the Labour Party that his departure as prime minister feels more than likely - it feels both inevitable and necessary. If Starmer and his government were st
The Mandelson affair destroys our delusions about power
Peter Mandelson’s disgrace, writ large in the latest dump of Jeffrey Epstein files, is the gravest challenge to the credibility of the British establishment in decades. And how Keir Starmer reacts to it in the next 24 hours may well come to determine his future as PM. The degree of Mandelson’s betrayal of both his colleagues and country exposes just how open to abuse our society is by a network of
The Two Matts Q&A: The Shamima Begum row - Round 2
The Matts respond to listeners’ reaction to their debate on the future of Shamima Begum - and, if anything, their respective positions have hardened. Get set for some fireworks. Also - was Keir Starmer weak in blocking Andy Burnham, is the UK falling apart, did the Tories cross a line in slurring Suella Braverman… and who will pick up the biggest Oscar prizes? It’s a rumbustious episode! Enjoy!Pro
What does Trump’s Minnesota retreat add up to?
The situation in Minnesota has brought extraordinary political turmoil to the Oval Office. As Donald Trump continues his manic month of January - from Venezuela to Davos, Greenland to Iran - what does this domestic crisis mean for his personal position as president and the MAGA movement in general? The Matts analyse what is an unprecedented situation in US politics. Also - a good week for Keir Sta
Andy Burnham revisited
We thought you might enjoy relistening to an in-depth conversation we had last year with the man of the moment, Andy Burnham - mayor of Greater Manchester, former cabinet minister and, of course, a man who's had his ambition to run as an MP squashed by the Labour NEC under the direction of Keir Starmer because, many believe, Burnham is seen as a challenger to the leadership.So we looked back at th
The Two Matts Q&A: Was Blair right to join Trump’s Board of Peace… and should Shamima Begum be allowed back to the UK?
The Matts answer your questions, including on Trump and Greenland, Blair and the Board of Peace, whether the Home Office is right to keep Shamima Begun out of the UK and, of course, the really big question of the week: who is Team Brooklyn and who is Team Posh and Becks? All of human life is here! Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https
Trump Complacency Disorder abounds. Not here.
The Matts pick apart the most astonishing events of the past 48 hours and take an objective look at what it means. They are appalled at the complacency of many in the media in reporting what is a shakedown happening in real time. And they delight in the clear-eyed articulation of this new world order as framed by Mark Carney. Other leaders? Not so much. Enjoy.Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Get The
Special edition with Paul Mason: Decoding Trump’s madness
The last 72 hours have been extraordinary and historic. And we still don’t have a clue what it all adds up to. But there are things we now know. Trump is on a collision course with European nations over the future of Greenland and Keir Starmer is stuck in the middle of an angry EU and a desire to placate the giant orange man baby. Joining the Matts this evening to argue through the meaning of thes
The Two Matts Q&A: Is Nato dead and why was 2016 actually a great year to be alive?
The Matts answer your questions, including what would happen if Nato collapsed, is there hope for Iran, how can we fix Britain’s sh*tty water companies, was 2016 a year to feel nostalgic about and did the Matts get it right with their comments about votes for the old? Enjoy!OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts/ Hosted on Acast. See
Saul Klein: Britain can succeed - but a lot must change
Saul Klein is one of the UK’s top venture capitalists - he’s helped build some extraordinary businesses and he understands, as few do, just how our capitalist society really functions... or doesn’t. He describes himself as a professional optimist and has a fascinating, wide-ranging narrative entwining European history, the negative consequences of Silicon Valley’s dominance in tech, Britain’s real
The Two Matts Q&A: Is Nato dead? Is Marty Supreme any good? And should old people vote?
The Matts answer your questions. including Trump’s kleptocracy, Laila Cunningham’s chances of becoming mayor of London, why The New World is still on X, an upper limit on the voting age, how good Timothée Chalamet’s blockbuster ping pong movie Marty Supreme is and what chance there is of a special edition of The New World commemorating the forthcoming 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum. Enj
The new world order is revealing itself
The Matts pick apart the extraordinary events of this week and make sense* of what they mean for life on planet Earth in the second quarter of the 21st century. What is Trump up to? How can Europe react to a threat from a NATO member state? What is the future of Greenland? How is it connected to a future territorial dispute in Siberia? And what straight line can be drawn from the horrific murder o
The Matts’ cultural highlights of the year
2025 may have been an absolute skip fire for political progress but it was a cracker for culture. The Matts round off the year with their highlights - but what will be their joint top moment of 2025? Thank you for listening this year - the Matts return early January and wish all listeners a fabulous festive season and happy New Year!Head to nakedwines.co.uk/matts to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rat
When are we going to take anti-semitism seriously (and actually do something about it?)
The Matts explore the issues thrown up by the dreadful massacre of Jews at Bondi Beach this week. When is a protest actually an act of violence? Why do we rush to talk of securing synagogues from attack rather than address the root problem of those attacks? How will our politicians get ahead of what is obviously a cycle of anti-Semitic violence against Jewish communities around the world that will
The Two Matts Q&A: Should we hand US authorities our social media history?
Matthew d’Ancona and Matt Kelly again respond to your queries. They discuss the Trump administration’s demand for visitors to hand over five years’ worth of social media history, why political manifestos have got so long and whether Piers Morgan was right to give such lengthy exposure to Nick Fuertes.Plus they talk about whether the UK should be able to exert conditions on a sovereign state like A
Fludemic, Zack Polanski, and a (rare) big-up to Keir
The Matts wonder what we’ve learned since Covid … and if the reaction to the current flu outbreak is anything to go by, the answer is not much. The conversation segways into Zack Polanski and political energy. Then in part two, both Matts are united - for once - in praise for Keir Starmer’s attempt to reinterpret the European Convention on Human Rights to deliver swift action on asylum seekers who
In defence of a new Europe - with Paul Mason
The Trump administration’s National Security Strategy document released this week is an astonishing affront to what many of us believe to be the liberal world order. The Matts are joined by New World contributing editor and columnist Paul Mason to understand just how far reaching its consequences are - and how Europe must find new purpose if it is to resist it. Where is the UK’s place in that new
Is Richard Tice as nasty as he seems?
Today on The Two Matts podcast, Matt Kelly and Matt d’Ancona again respond to your queries. They discuss whether Richard Tice is as nasty as he appears to be, and if there is a world where Labour and the Conservatives form a German-style grand coalition to keep Reform from forming the next government. They also talk about whether calling out Brexit could be a winning strategy for the prime ministe
Hillsborough justice delayed is no justice at all
The Matts examine the conclusion of the Independent Office for Police Conduct 14 YEAR (!) investigation into the Hillsborough disaster and reflect on the ghastly sequence of events that has consumed so many lives, literally and otherwise. And to add insult to the closure of a process that has taken 36 years to produce zero accountability for the 97 lives lost by unlawful killing. Also, in the firs
Journalism’s race to the bottom
The Matts discuss the central role journalism has played in fostering racism in Britain over the decades, and which now looks like it is entering a new, more dangerous phase. The chat is based on an article Matt Kelly wrote for The New World - the link is below. But before that - why did Rachel Reeves mislead the public about the state of the nation’s finances and how much trouble is she (and the
The Two Matts Q&A: Should Farage’s schoolboy racism count against him?
Today on The Two Matts podcast, Matthew d’Ancona and Matt Kelly again respond to your queries. They discuss whether Nigel Farage’s schoolboy racism should count against him 45 years later and, after The New World’s Kent council cover story, how the media can continue to hold the Reform party to account. They also talk about the best outcome for Ukraine in any peace deal and how to solve the immigr
Has the Budget sealed Starmer’s fate?
Did Rachel Reeves turn a corner this week with her Budget … and drive this Labour government straight off a cliff? The Matts reflect on her performance yesterday and how she fared in the media round this morning. It’s not great news for those of us clinging to the hope that Starmer can reinvigorate his government and begin to climb the polls. In fact … it’s enough to convince one of the Matts that
PRE-BUDGET SPECIAL - with Tom Baldwin
The Matts are joined by Labour insider and New World contributing editor Tom Baldwin - fresh from his in depth interview with the woman of the hour, Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Tom explains what’s going on in Reeves’ head (lots) and how she faces an unprecedented challenge - calming a febrile electorate while delivering enough visible progress to keep Reform out of government. Is she up to the
This week's Two Matts Q&A: Do we need a public inquiry into the BBC?
Matthew d’Ancona and Matt Kelly again respond to your queries. They discuss whether we need a public inquiry into the BBC’s remit in British life, if we would all be better informed if we listened to experts and - in the light of allegations about Nigel Farage’s school years - whether leopards ever change their spots. Plus they talk about Mohammed bin Salman - a force for good or evil? - the war i
BRACE! BRACE! Trump goes into emergency mode as Epstein crisis gets real
The Matts dig into the unfolding drama in Washington as Trump performs the reversal of his career and signs off on the release of the Epstein files. How much trouble is he in? Also - what should we make of Labour’s new crackdown on immigration? The Matts may disagree about the messaging but are fairly aligned about the merits (or otherwise) of the policy. But will this change anything for a govern
Inside the mind of a 16-year-old - with Peter Hyman and Shuab Gamote
Maybe the best podcast we’ve done to date? You be the judge - but the Matts explore an extraordinary study into how 16 and 17-year-olds are thinking about a wide range of issues, both political and social. It’s important and timely; they will have the vote at the next election and will play a big role in deciding what trajectory Britain takes. And it’s not what you might imagine … so many of this
This week's Two Matts Q&A: Is it time to let talent like Mamdani run for president?
Matthew d’Ancona and Matt Kelly again respond to your queries. They discuss whether it is time for the US to repeal its natural-born citizen clause and let talent like Zohran Mamdani run for president and if reducing regulations would allow the Michelle Mones of this world to prosper, and revisit their chat with Jo Bartosch on pornography.Plus they talk about simplifying the tax code, whether ther
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