The Two Matts

Today on The Two Matts podcast, Matt d'Ancona and Matt Kelly again respond to your queries.They discuss whether Andy Burnham has unrealistic standards for politics and whether he is the right person to run the country. Plus, is it alarming or alarmist to fear about Tommy Robinson’s potential path to power? The Matts talk about what the real point of the UN is, if there is a case for ID cards and, following the New World’s political editor James Ball’s brilliant interview with Ed Davey, what they took away from the Lib Dem conference.Have a question to stump the two Matts? Email now at the2matts@thenewworld.co.uk.OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Matts consider an alternative view on what is going on the President’s head. Based on an anecdote from Michael Wolff, could the answer to the chaos be much simpler than we thought? Also - as Keir Starmer prepares for his big conference week in Liverpool, is his leadership now in its sunset phase? Will Andy Burnham challenge him? And could Burnham see off Farage? It’s complicated. 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 acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cynthia Miller-Idriss, an award-winning scholar of extremism and author of 'Man Up,' sheds light on the rise of far-right misogyny. She discusses how social media has amplified these toxic narratives and why figures like Andrew Tate attract young men. Cynthia links misogyny to wider societal grievances and highlights its surprising presence in gaming and fitness culture. She advocates for intervention strategies to counteract this extremism, emphasizing the need for open conversations and understanding in families.

Matthew d'Ancona and Matt Kelly again respond to your queries. They discuss what it means to be British today, whether it’s time for patriots to be more explicit about their patriotism and why Donald Trump is so fixated on TV. Plus they talk about what Andy Burnham should do about the Labour leadership, what Nigel Farage actually believes in, if it’s time to retire left/right labels and what their favourite Robert Redford films are.OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Matts take a deep breath and work their way through a tumultuous few days … starting with the visit of Donald Trump - is the UK becoming a vassal state? - through the unfolding aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and finally to reflections on the Tommy Robinson March in London. In the circumstances, is there a path back to a united Britain? Surprisingly - the Matts are optimistic… but above all else they are clearheaded about the challenges - and about the need to to call things for what they truly are. Be warned - this is an equivocation free zone. 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 acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Matts are joined by author and journalist Jonathan Freedland to discuss his remarkable new book, The Traitor’s Circle. It’s a forensically-researched historical story of resistance against the Nazis from inside Germany. Written in the style of a classic whodunnit, Freedland has created a thriller that not only sheds new light on the actions of at least some Germans during the war - but also sounds a warning about the state of the world today and the indications that fascism is once more gaining ground. It’s a brilliant, engrossing conversation about a brilliant, engrossing book. Enjoy!Buy The Traitor’s Circle: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-traitors-circle/jonathan-freedland/9781399813679OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The two Matts again respond to your queries. The pair discuss whether they support Palestine Action, declining fertility and if there’s a way back for Keir Starmer.Plus they talk about Nigel Farage’s pension, whether the Greens are a serious political party and if things are better or worse than during the Cold War.OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two inevitable topics dominate the Matts discussion today - first up, the murder of US conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. It’s a simply atrocious event but the reaction from many has been shameful. The Matts explain why Kirk was unusual in the MAGA organisation … and why his assassination matters so much. In the second half, the downfall of Peter Mandelson. The Matts ask why Starmer didn’t act sooner, contrasting his sacking with that of Angela Rayner, and focus on the gravity of the offence. Ultimately, is this the point at which Keir Starmer loses his grip on power? Possibly.OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Matts get to grips with the turmoil of the last few days and use their meticulous political calculus to work out whether Keir Starmer is weaker or stronger than he was a week ago. Spoiler alert: they haven’t got a clue. But they certainly enjoy themselves finding that out. One thing they know - the absurd Palestine Action ban must be rescinded unless Starmer wants the spectacle of police arresting people from within the audience of his own conference in Liverpool. In the second half they deal with Tommy Robinson, whose march in London this week should, they agree, be taken seriously. Robinson is not as stupid as he looks and he plays an active role in furthering the poisonous nationalistic movement headed by Reform. 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 acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matthew d'Ancona and Matt Kelly again respond to your queries. They discuss why Nigel Farage didn’t go back to school with the rest of the class this week, whether government ministers should be held to a higher standard than ordinary citizens and why the debate in the UK is always hyped up to the max.Plus they talk about the government’s procrastination on the infected blood inquiry, AI, whether we thank people too much and if Donald Trump is dead. OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.