The Two Matts

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 out of Downing Street? It’s a special bonus edition of the podcast today. Enjoy.

Produced by Matt Withers

OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts/

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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 Withers

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 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 strong and making headway in the nation, this scandal would be entirely survivable. But they’re not.

Produced by Matt Withers

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.

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 immoral actors. Who is pulling the strings? And to what aim? Today, the Matts attempt to understand the scope of what is increasingly looking like the single biggest political scandal of our lifetimes.

Produced by Matt Withers

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 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!

Produced by Matt Withers

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 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 Starmer? The Matts look forward to visa-free travel in China and put the PM’s trip in a broader global and domestic context. Enjoy!

Produced by Matt Withers

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.

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 the interview we did with Andy last year and so much of what he talks about - about power beyond Westminster, about Labour's current and future trajectory and what politics is like outside of the bubble have not only not gone away, they have become even more painfully relevant. So, if you missed this first time, it's well worth a listen. 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 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 Withers

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 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 Withers

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 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 these fast-moving events is New World contributing editor Paul Mason. Enjoy!

Produced by Matt Withers

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.