The Two Matts

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 break our laws. Enjoy!

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 Europe? And sweat must this Labour government do to avoid chronic declinism? It’s an engrossing conversation that sheds light on the predicament we are in - and how to escape it. Enjoy!

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 minister at the next election and, in the world of media, why the Daily Mail hates Prince Harry so much.

Finally, as Christmas approaches, one listener has a burning question: turkey or beef?

Have a question to stump the two Matts? Email us now at [email protected].

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 first half of the pod, the Matts discuss Trump’s latest outrage and how it is opening the door to racism and racists everywhere.

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 government in general) now in? Enjoy!