The Two Matts

How did Keir Starmer allow the row over Diane Abbott swamp the early days of his election campaign? What is the upside? And had Abbott been mistreated to the point where the Labour leadership looks petty and vindictive? The Matts weigh in on the big campaign trail talking point. Also - in part two - the brilliant Alan Edwards, author of I Was There, tells all about life with Bowie, The Stones, The Spice Girls … and a whole A-Z of rock’s rich and famous. It’s an absolute treat of an interview… enjoy!

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In this Q and A episode The Two Matts discuss whether the blood scandal will be forgotten in the mayhem of the election, if bosses will take more responsibility for company failings in the wake of Paula Vennell's inquiry breakdown, and does Rishi have another job to go to?

If you'd like to get a question in to The Two Matt's email 2matts@tnepublishing.com

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The Matts are joined by author and journalist Caitlin Moran to talk about men and the manisphere. What can men learn from the progress women made with feminism? It’s a broad spectrum conversation veering from pornography to football, from the benefits of banter to why so many men are so bad at friendships. Also - is the new play Boys From The Blackstuff a match for the brilliant 80s Alan Bleasdale television series? The Matts have a night out at the theatre and find out.

Caitlin Moran: What About Men?

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Special bonus podcast on this week's big story ... no, not Paula Vennell's disgrace in the Post Office Scandal ... no, not the Infected Blood scandal ... no, not the huge upswing in migrants crossing the channel ... not the news that mortgage rate cuts will be delayed until August, nor the news that the Rwanda flights will probably never happen... it's the big news that Rishi Sunak has decided that everything's getting better and decided now is the time to hold a General Election. The Matts are joined by New European political editor James Ball and say Bring It On!

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In this Sunday Q&A episode the two Matts take on your questions on compulsory voting, online voting, Article 7 and more on the Elphicke defection.

Get your questions in to 2matts@tnepublishing.com

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Not only was Rishi Sunak’s election campaign salvo this week one of the laziest, divisive and incoherent collections of gaslighting gibberish in recent political history - it was littered throughout with misleading suggestions and basic untruths. The Matts do a bit of fact checking on our dear leader’s latest spell behind baby’s first lectern. Also… a day out at the Sir Harry Evans Summit on investigative journalism inspires the Matts and provokes questions on how can the media do better.

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'Potential' coalition governments, defections, the Beatles... it's the Q&A that has it all!

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Who would have predicted the extent to which the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 would have changed the world to such a degree, in such a short time? The Matts debate their differences in a conversation that lays bare the tragic complexity of a crisis spreading division throughout the world. It’s a difficult listen - and all the better for it. Also - the Matts relish the new Withnail and I stage play and pay tribute to the late great Bernard Hill. Go ‘ed.. gizza listen!

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In this Sunday Q&A episode the two Matts explore whether a potential Starmer government bodes well for GB/EU relations, if we should be worried about a 2nd term of Trump and Matt Kelly responds to his criticism of the last night of the Proms.

Thanks for all of your questions. You can leave them on Spotify or email 2matts@tnepublishing.com

Trump in Time: https://time.com/6972021/donald-trump-2024-election-interview/

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Sunak is isolated and facing certain defeat in a General Election as this week’s local results make clear. What is left for the embattled PM as he states catastrophe in the face? Should he go to the country now, or tough it out even as his own party plots against him? And what of Starmer… how much of this week’s election results is down to his political brilliance or the political incompetence of his opposite number? All this and more as the Matts dissect the agitated state of British politics today… enjoy!

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In this Sunday Q&A edition of The Two Matts, the pair try to your questions on everything from Rishi's Rwanda Bill to Sam Smith and whether a new legal age needs to be set, to buy the Daily Mail.

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What is England? What is Englishness? The Matts are joined by Tom Baldwin and Marc Stears, authors of a fascinating new deep dive into the question of nationalism, called England - Seven Myths That Changed A Country And How To Set Them Straight. It’s a wide-ranging conversation on their journey from Runnymede to Hull via Plymouth, Wolverhampton, Oxford, Blackpool and Greenwich to discover the real England. Enjoy!

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Have the Matts ever been victim to a honeytrap? What isa 'Police and Crime Commissioner' and should we bin off first names for MP's? This and more discussed in this weeks Q&A.

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The Matts get philosophical about smoking and what a ban means for Britain. Whisper it… but has Rishi Sunak done something not completely crap for once? Or is his proposed age-related ban on smoking the start of slippery slope towards big government invading the rights of its citizens? Also … the magnificence of Salman Rushdie’s response to 27 seconds of madness which saw him lose and eye and almost die less than two years ago. This week he is back with a Knife of his own - the title of his book centred on that awful attack. It’s not just a triumph of the will to live, says Matt D’Ancona; it’s a remarkable love story. Plus a terrific offer to subscribe to the UK’s fastest growing newspaper title The New European.

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In this Q&A episode, Matt and Matt take on questions from you on poverty in the media, Trumps stance on abortion and Harold Wilson's love life.

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How did we get to the point where troubled children have been damaged by a health system that should have protected them? How did the dogma of trans activists subsume standard medical practices? And how do those who cynically cheered them on from the sidelines sleep at night? The Two Matts discuss the Cass Report, released this week, and what it says about media, activism and the right to have an open discourse without fear of censure. Also - how movie portrayals of Amy Winehouse and Emily Maitlis both fell short.

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How time flies when the world is on fire… a quarter of 2024 has already passed and the Matts check global progress against their expectations at New Year. It’s a grind reality check as Gaza and Ukraine go from bad to worse and Trump appears to be gaining ground on the White House. On the upside, there’ve been a bunch of cultural highlights to provide welcome distraction - not least the publication this week of Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan. “It’s like Bonfire Of the Vanities… but better” says Matt d’Ancona. Enjoy!

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Have the Tories hit rock bottom.. or could things get even worse? The Matts gameplay their options with outcomes ranging from disastrous to cataclysmic. In the second half, they examine the role of satire in society and ask the question: Have we all lost our sense of humour?

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The Matts discuss Owen Jones resigning from the Labour Party, ponder the need for an upper chamber in the UK parliament, debate the influence of unions, Donald Trump's latest rhetoric and briefly touch on the identity of the next James Bond. Happy Sunday!

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Rachel Reeves speech on the future of the economy is dense with ideas that will affect all our futures under a Labour government. What did she mean and why does it matter? The Two Matts do the deep dive into one of the most interesting and important speeches from Labour since they lost power. Also - the time Steve Harley gave Matt K the death stare … and George Lucas sent Matt D into a world of journalistic anxiety.

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Did Deggsy do well for Liverpool? Why is no one intervening in Gaza? Can you ban “extremism”? And is Fargo better than the Big Lebowski? The Two Matts take the big questions of our times head on

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The inside track on how Princess Kate and the Royal press offices messed up so badly … and how some of the most famous photographs ever were faked. But first … another week of shambolic governance courtesy of the Conservative Party. Racism, misogyny, dodgy contract relationships and abject failure of leadership. In other words, just another week in Tory land. The Two Matts offer their inimitable perspective on Sunak’s house of chaos.

Further Reading:

Racism Without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in America by Eduardo Bonilla-Silva

How To Tell Someone They Sound Racist by Jay Smooth

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Are ultra-processed foods the new cigarettes? Is there a solution to rough-sleeping? And should the fact GBNews lost £75m last year cheer us up .. or scare us even more? All this and more on the Two Matts regular Q&A episode. Enjoy!

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Join us for our first transatlantic podcast as Matt D’Ancona in Manhattan and Matt Kelly in London dissect the extraordinary events of this week’s Super Tuesday and what it all means for the seemingly inevitable Presidential showdown between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. And we get Matt D’Ancona’s verdict on the big Broadway production An Enemy Of The People.

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Beer with Tucker Carlson or George Galloway? Mob rule; Lee Anderson and Liz Truss v Rishi Sunak; and is Ofcom doing a great job regulating GBNews … (take a wild guess).

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In conversation with the Two Matts, the man who knows Keir Starmer better than most - his biographer Tom Baldwin sheds light on a complex politician and what we might expect from him as PM - including the truth about his attitude to Europe and Brexit.

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Garbage “food”, Liz Truss and the deep state; anti-semitism; and “legitimate concerns about racism” - all explored

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Remember the war in Ukraine? The one that used to be front page news every day for a while? It’s TWO years since Putin launched his full scale invasion and after a brief period of delusional confidence that Ukraine was going to see him off… it appears, for the moment at least, he is winning. What needs to change, and how great is the threat to European democracy? How can we prevail against an enemy when we ourselves are so disunited over giving Kyiv the tools it needs to win? Also - is television drama the new conscience of the nation? The Matts consider the impact of Breathtaking - the latest ITV drama to shock the nation over the reality of our political failures.

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Why are politicians terrified of the Daily Mail? Should Labour pin their colours to the proportional representation mast? Is Jez Butterworth a genius? And what’s the secret to effective communications…? Find out ASAP…

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Unravelling and deciphering the chaos within Labour’s response to anti-semitism - the eternal conflict simmering, and now once more raging, within the party’s ranks. What does it mean for Starmer’s momentum towards Number 10 … and does his response to this give a clue to the kind of Prime Minister he will be? The Matts find themselves thick in the thorns of an issue that will run and run for years to come. On a brighter note - a treat for cinema lovers: Matt d’Ancona raves about the new Bob Marley biopic and both Matts take a magical mystery tour through their favourite rock and pop movies.

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Were we too hard on Laurence Fox? Why does the US back Israel? And is it segue or segway? All these and more on our soaraway Sunday Q&A episode.

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What is it about Keir Starmer and pledges … his latest u-turn is a big one: the central plank of his economic reboot of Britain’s economy into a global green leader. Where does it leave him in terms of political credibility and, more importantly perhaps, in terms of his vision for taking a moribund national economy and supercharging it? Also - just how much do the Republicans hate American Football? Is Taylor Swift really so much of a threat. And the Matts give Rishi Sunak a decent dose of opprobrium after another week of crass political dimwittery.

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The brass neck of The New European; why are tens of thousands of people dying before their time in the UK; shouldn’t we stop Instagram harming our children; and what superpower would the Two Matts like Elon Musk to implant into their brains? All this and more in the liveliest podcast Q&A in town…

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If Laurence Fox is just the monkey, then who is the organ grinder and why is he pumping millions into causes and individuals so conspicuously damaging Britain? The 2 Matts ask some uncomfortable questions of the people funding culture wars. Also … will Rishi Sunak’s fasting regime endear him to the millions of Brits who can’t afford to eat properly after thirteen years of a Tory government? And the Matts pay tribute to Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp and the eternal power of sport.

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This week the Two Matts tackle division in Ireland, independence in Scotland and personal abuse from Julia in south London.

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When more than a million people came out in cities across Germany to protest against the far right AfD party, it was an indication of how perilous that nation’s political situation has become. New European columnist Tanit Koch joins the Two Matts from Bonn to explain the origins of the crisis and what it means for her country … and beyond. Also - let’s celebrate the brilliance of recent movies as the Oscar nominations are revealed and the Matts give their tips for Academy Award success!

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A little bonus episode of a podcast we like: the Disorder podcast, by friend of the pod Jason Pack (alongside former British diplomat Alexandra Hall Hall), tackles the big question of how the world got so disordered.

We've picked a taster that we think you'll like: the theme is the EU, and the guest is trade negotiator John Clarke. Enjoy.

Get more Disorder when you follow the show: https://tr.ee/ksicr-3Wty

We'll see you on Friday!

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The Matts discuss Scottish National Party's political strategies, ponder the what-if scenario of a centrist incursion oining the Tory party and delve into data protection issues. Plus: some podcast plugs and Oscar tips.

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It seems certain that Trump will become the Republican nominee for President. We take a deep breath and let that sink in - along with all the horrendous consequences to American democracy and the inescapable reality that this os not a blip in 21st Century politics but a taste of how things will be… forever on. Also - who cares if the Daily Mirror newspaper collapses into a state of abject irrelevance? The Two Matts do - and then explain why Britain needs the once-mighty tabloid of the left more than ever.

Tim Alberta: The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism

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In this week's Sunday Q&A The Two Matts are asked whether Sunak is wrong-footing Labour, if the English people orpress are royal obsessed, and what books we should be reading.

Thanks to Ben Valentine, Jonathan Fogell, Paul in Woolwich and Mira Starmore for this week's questions.

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Has justice been done in the appalling scandal of the Post Office’s prosecution of subpostmasters? Not by a long chalk. The convictions may be overturned, the compensation cheques arranged … but what about punishing those responsible? The Two Matts anticipate the next phase of this sorry saga - and try to understand the mindset of Post Office management over two decades who allowed a culture of contempt for decent employees to turn their organisation into a case study of capitalism gone awry. Also - who are the masters of the universe assembling in Davos and what do they want? To improve the world or perpetuate their own power?

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Should Liz Truss have had an honours list? Are 'Thinktanks' fit for purpose? And is Dave Chappelle still funny? All of these and more are answered by The Two Matt's in this Sunday Q&A episode.

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How bad can it be? Well… pretty bad is the answer. 2024 is shaping up to be a seismic year in so many ways - but the Two Matts aren’t all doom and gloom (just mostly). Will the 14th Amendment change the course of US history? Will Keir Starmer find the recipe to restore trust in politics? Will the West sell Ukraine down the river? And how can we start to step forward to a solution in the Middle East? It’s a big show this week with lots to think about - tune in and let us know what you think at 2matts@tnepublishing.com

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The Two Matts review the year through the prism of people: going through their heroes, villains and the dearly departed. Who will make the list? Tune in to find out...

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Why is the New European suing Michelle Mone? The full story unfolds here .. together with what we think it might mean for future writ-happy individuals trying to silence honest reporting. Plus - we are joined by the brilliant Zoe Gardner who looks back at an appalling year for the demonisation of migrants and looks forward to 2024 for what we all hope will be a year of better discourse and solutions to the defining issue of our age.

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Is a thirty-five day suspension for one MP really enough? Are ID cards a good idea or an invasion of privacy? And 'Slow Horses' or 'The Crown'. All these questions and more are answered in this edition of The Two Matts, with Matt Kelly and Matt d'Ancona.

Thanks to these wonderful people for their questions

You can submit you questions to the2matts@tnepublishing.com

Alternatively, if you're listening on Spotify, you can use the "ask a question" box under this episode.

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Farage is back from the jungle and picking fights with anyone who thinks he’s a wanker! Count us in, Nige! Meanwhile Rishi Sunak presses his Rwanda bill through the commons at a running cost of close to £400m just as Channel 4 reveals the crisis in the NHS under the Tories is worse than we even thought - begging the question has the PM really thought this through? And in a special episode of Keeping Up With The Jones’s, the Two Matts wonder who is the champ of social media purity culture - Owen or Alex? All this plus the inside track on how Michelle Mone threatened to sue The New European (and our concise response) on Britain’s liveliest political podcast.

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Is Nigel Farage 'hard right' or 'far right'?. The Two Matts pass judgement on James Cleverly, celebrate the cultural highlights of 2023 and give their alternative choices for Person Of The Year.

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Is he actually having a breakdown? Certainly the country he leads is… as Rishi Sunak comes to terms with another 24 hours of pure parliamentary chaos, the Two Matts ask: How much more of this can anyone take?!

Also - in part two - Matt and Matt are joined by Middle East expert and host of the Disorder podcast, Jason Pack. Jason unpacks the complexities in how a long term solution involving Qatar could bring at least a semblance of stability to Gaza - but warns we are a long way off and things will get a lot worse before they get better. Lastly, a tribute to the late great Benjamin Zephaniah, whose poem “The British” is more relevant than ever.

Listen to Jason's podcast, Disorder: https://podfollow.com/disorder

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You asked the questions, and we've responded... Matthew d'Ancona and Matt Kelly don't hold back over proportional representation, immigration, benefits, and the power of Elon Musk.

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The Two Matts discuss the legacy of the former Secretary of State, who died this week. How will he be remembered? As one of the most effective diplomats of our times … or a mass murdering war criminal who should have died in The Hague? Or is the answer, just possibly, a bit more nuanced than that?

After the break, Matt and Matt consider how that other giant of international politics (and that’s a joke, for the hard of understanding) handled Britain’s relationship with Greece this week. Is Rishi Sunak really quite as pathetic as he seems? (spoiler alert: YES!) and what was the thinking (spoiler alert: THERE WASN’T ANY!) behind him deciding to insult his fellow NATO leader so gravely. You’d need a heart of marble not to laugh. All this plus Shane McGowan and why you should read this year’s Booker winner.

Further Reading:

Nixon and Kissinger: Partners in Power by Robert Dallek 

The Trial of Henry Kissinger by Christopher Hitchens

Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

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Happy Sunday - the Two Matts are back in the mailbox to answer your questions. #ama

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How to spot an actual fascist in your midst! The Two Matts explore a fascinating checklist that sends shudders down their spines … and sheds light on the persistent rise of right wing populists from Geert Wilders in Holland to Javier Milei in Argentina to Nigel Farage in… as James Cleverley would say… a sh*thole in the Australian rainforest.

Plus.. how to respond if invited to the cinema to watch Ridley Scott’s Napoleon: “Not tonight.” All this and more in this week’s Two Matts podcast.

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In this Q&A episode Matt Kelly and Matthew d'Ancona answer questions on Jordan Peterson, the EU, podcasting, and politics. Can the use of humour counter charlatans and populists? Does the EU need to undergo reformation before the UK rejoins, and who should you vote for?

Thanks to Roland, Keith, Andrew, J.Wells and Micheal for their questions.

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First half… a sharp dissection of the asylum that has become UK politics. How did Rishi Sunak manage to make Suella Braverman look like the competent one? In the second half, the Two Matts are joined by the inimitable Dom Joly whose new book on conspiracy theories is a treat. Well, that’s the rumour we heard anyway.

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LINKS

Dom's book:"The Conspiracy Tourist: Travels Through a Strange World"

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Braverman out, Cameron in. What does it all add up to? In the first ever Two Matts emergency podcast, Matt and Matt get inside the head of Rishi Sunak (they things they do for you!) and work through his thinking and the consequences.

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Matt d'Ancona and Matt Kelly answer the important questions on; the possibility of civil war in America if Trump wins the election, the introduction of mandatory ID in the UK, the impact of right-wing media on British political discourse, favourite George Michael songs, and opinions on the new John Lewis advert.

Questions from Ben Valentine, Dave, Michael Rosenthal, Liz in Bicester, and a fellow Matt.

If you'd like to submit a question for the next Q&A please email: 2matts@tnepublishing.com

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On a question of statesmanship over Gaza between Barack Obama and Suella Braverman, who do the Two Matts think comes out on top? Go on, take a wild guess. Also: Is Nadine Dorries locked in a paranoid fantasy or is there a kernel of truth in the conspiracy theories she’s packed into her new book? In other news, a chunk of the Two Matts’ childhood is consigned to the dustbin.

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LINKS:

Unholy: Two Jews on the news https://podfollow.com/1548441108

The Modern Mann: https://podfollow.com/modernmann

The Media Podcast: https://podfollow.com/themediapodcast

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Steph, Andrew, Nigel and Jim pose all the important questions, from voter ID to The Beatles.

Have a question? Email us at 2matts@tnepublishing.com

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He’s the leader of a new brand of right wing politics… but has he actually got anything to say? The Two Matts spend an evening with Jordan Peterson - and it’s an experience they’ll never forget. Plus - who’s worst? Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson or Matt Hancock? And what should we do with politicians with blood on their hands

An exclusive offer for The 2 Matt’s Podcast listeners!theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts

Listen to the latest episode of The Media Podcast: https://pod.fo/e/1fe399

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Ben, Rob, Mike, Mo, Jane and Andrew pose all the important questions, from Whatsapp to biscuits.

Have a question? Email us at 2matts@tnepublishing.com

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In a competition for lousiest leader, it’s a toss up between Elon Musk and Rishi Sunak. Matt d’Ancona argues Sunak might actually be the worst Tory leader since the referendum - and that’s a pretty high bar! Meanwhile - how did the late, great Bill Kenwright summarise life at Everton FC to Matt Kelly? It was fairly pithy and to the point. All this and more as the Two Matts are joined by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist James Ball. Enjoy!

Plus - a chance to get a free signed copy of James O’Brien’s new book when you subscribe to The New European.

Further reading/watching

The Pigeon Tunnel - "Errol Morris pulls back the curtain on the storied life and career of David Cornwell, the former spy known to the literary world as John le Carré"

The Other Pandemic - James Ball

The Right To Rule - Ben Riley-Smith

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Clarissa, Sanjay, Zack and Louise have questions - and The Two Matts have answers. Hopefully in the right order.

Have a question? Email us at 2matts@tnepublishing.com

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When it comes to exerting influence on the world stage, there was only two real leaders in Israel this week and neither wasn’t Rishi Sunak. Joe Biden brought statesmanship and rhetorical magnificence, while Mo Salah became perhaps the most viewed appeal for humanity the world has ever seen. The Two Matts are also joined by Tanit Koch who explains the complications of Germany’s position on Israel and how Europe is fighting with itself over its place in the world.

Plus - a chance to get a free signed copy of James O’Brien’s new book when you subscribe to The New European.

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Atrocity in Israel ... and what does the reaction in the UK say about our shared humanity? Warning: We discuss some of the graphic violence perpetrated by Hamas. And the Two Matts are joined in the second half by esteemed education campaigner and journalist Fiona Millar who hands Keir Starmer his report card on how to fix schools in the UK and much else besides.

Content warning: brief, graphic description of child mortality.

Have a question to stump the Two Matts? Email us now at 2matts@tnepublishing.co.uk

LISTENER OFFER: get Rory Stewart's new book Politics On the Edge, (worth £22 ) FREE when you subscribe today: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/

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Two intriguing debates this week. Firstly, is it even possible to take Rishi Sunak seriously (did we to start with?) after his confounding conference speech this week. And secondly - Donald Trump and death row. There’s a connection, trust us, though maybe not the one we’d all like to see.

Have a question to stump the Two Matts? Email us now at 2matts@tnepublishing.co.uk

LISTENER OFFER: get Rory Stewart's new book Politics On the Edge, (worth £22 ) FREE when you subscribe today: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/

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Michael Wolff’s gripping new book The Fall chronicles in extraordinary detail the final years of Rupert Murdoch’s grip on worldwide news media. Wolff is a master of his craft - shedding light on legends in their own lifetimes - most notably Murdoch and Donald Trump. Today, in a fascinating trialogue, he faces The Two Matts, legends in their own lunchtimes, and describes how Murdoch was bewildered by the evolution of Fox News, explains how he’s actually the opposite of Logan Roy, and reveals the lunchtime ritual of the most influential media baron of our times. Enjoy…

Have a question to stump the Two Matts? Email us now at 2matts@tnepublishing.co.uk

LISTENER OFFER: get Rory Stewart's new book Politics On the Edge, (worth £22 ) FREE when you subscribe today: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/

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With Rupert Murdoch exiting stage left, Matt K recalls the time he saved his life .. or at least spared him from a broken nose. Also - what will be the long term fall out from the Russell Brand expose and has Keir Starmer moved in a positive direction on Europe ... or is it all just cynical electioneering?

Have a question to stump the Two Matts? Email us now at 2matts@tnepublishing.co.uk

LISTENER OFFER: get Rory Stewart's new book Politics On the Edge, (worth £22 ) FREE when you subscribe today: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/

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Take your pick… Sleepy Joe Biden or Doo-Lally Don. Had the world ever faced a lousier toss-up for title of Leader Of The Free World? Meanwhile… what actual planet is Elon Musk on. All this plus Chanel and devil dogs in this week’s Two Matts

Have a question to stump the Two Matts? Email us now at 2matts@tnepublishing.co.uk

LISTENER OFFER: get Rory Stewart's new book Politics On the Edge, (worth £22 ) FREE when you subscribe today: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/

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Concrete proof this government is unfit for purpose - but what are the real scandals the media should be talking about when it comes to education in Britain? And what does the Rolling Stones new album teach us about music and rebellion?

All that and more from podcastings very own top boys, Matt and Matt…

Have a question to stump the Two Matts? Email us now at 2matts@tnepublishing.co.uk

LISTENER OFFER: get Rory Stewart's new book Politics On the Edge, (worth £22 ) FREE when you subscribe today: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/

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If Grant Shapps was the answer… what on earth was the question? Also - why Iain Duncan-Smith has won Hypocrite of the Decade award… and the 2 Matts tackle the big sports story of the week: Luis Rubiales and the Spanish FA.

Get Rory Stewarts' new book, Politics On the Edge, FREE when you take out a new subscription to The New European: theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts

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Is the death of Prighozhin a milestone in the eventual fall of Putin? What did we learn from the fact that Elon Musk has got a direct line into the Russian leader? And do Lucy Letby's awful crimes reveal anything about the nature of evil?

Plus a VERY special limited offer for new subscribers to The New European when you head to theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts

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Will Trump turn the tables on Georgian prosecutors and make his trial the most watched campaign show in history with devastating consequences for democracy. Meanwhile… where are the devastating consequences for Michelle Mone, the Tory peer who profiteered from Covid? Also - which Matt flunked his A-levels? And which Matt is suddenly a football fan for the week?

A Rethink Audio production, for The New European.

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Suella Braverman, Lee Anderson, Rishi Sunak ... are we falling into their trap by focussing on asylum seeker barges and taskforces against "dodgy lawyers" while the real story of this government's abject incompetence is ignored? And talking of absolute cults, the Two Matts say goodbye to two giants of culture - Jamie Reid and William Friedkin - and come up with their own Top 5 list of people who changed our culture forever.

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Prosecution or persecution? Donald Trump is dragging American politics deep into uncharted waters and if you thought 2016 represented a low point in western democracy, then you ain't seen nothing yet. On the upside, the Two Matts both loved Barbie The Movie but over Oppenheimer they had something of a fall out. Which seemed appropriate.

A Rethink Audio production, for The New European.

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What’s driving the sudden reversal on green policies from both Sunak and Starmer… and how did Gregg Wallace become one of the all time great satirists? All this and more in this week’s meaty Two Matt’s discussion.

A Rethink Audio production for The New European - get special offers when you subscribe using theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts

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Caroline Lucas changed British politics when she became the UK’s first Green MP in 2010. Now she’s bringing her Westminster career to a close.. the Two Matts sit down with her for an extended interview about integrity in politics, why Keir Starmer needs to show more courage, and how spending time with the dying has given her a fresh perspective on life. It’s a fascinating listen with one of our most remarkable politicians. 

A Rethink Audio production, for The New European.

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Matt and Matt dissect the drama of the Hew Edwards saga… and find themselves at odds on both how he has been treated and the role of The Sun in this sorry tale of our times

A Rethink Audio production, for The New European.

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In which The Fourth Matt is revealed, Zuckerberg takes it to Elon and the Matts celebrate The Boss.

A Rethink Audio production, for The New European.

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London is a political mess and Paris is on fire … the Two Matts explore this tale of two cities. Have the Tories abandoned the capital… and why do French police shot dead so many more than cops in any other European country? Plus how a former hot dog salesman marched on Moscow.

A Rethink Audio production, for The New European.

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The Brexit Referendum is now 7 years ago, and Matt & Matt rake the coals searching for the glimmer of good news in amongst the procession of bad. Spoiler alert: They fail.

Also discussed: the incredible contrast between five rich people in a submarine and 700 poor people in a boat on the Med. And, is Matt K the worst parent on the planet? It's possible.

A Rethink Audio production, for The New European.

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Missed us? The New European Podcast returns at The Two Matts, now with editor Matt Kelly and editor-at-large Matthew d'Ancona discussing the week's political developments. New episodes every Friday.

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