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The Two Matts
You can take our fags.. but you’ll never take our FREEDOM!
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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.
Exclusive listener offer >> https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/
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The Two Matts Q&A: Is Farage finished? And where are all the women?
51:17|The Matts answer listener questions in this, their regular Sunday morning question and answer edition. Including; is Farage finished; what tax pledge should Burnham break; is Michael Gove stupid; how should we think about China; apart from Dante, Giotto, Thomas Aquinas, Chaucer and the Bayeux Tapesty, what’s the Middle Ages ever done for us; maintaining a dignified silence in the face of Will Self criticism; and which women authors do you admire?Produced by Ruby MitchellOFFER: Subscribe to The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts/
REDS - the best political book of the year? With Paul Mason
47:06|The Matts are joined by The New World contributing editor Paul Mason to discuss his blockbuster book Reds: A Global History Of Communism. We cover a lot of ground - from pre-historic society through the French Revolution to the USSR and finally modern day China, where the entire definition and history of Communism is being rewritten as we speak. Paul’s book has been receiving glowing reviews from outlets as diverse as the Daily Telegraph and The New World - find out why in this illuminating conversation.And if you aren’t already a subscriber to The New World, you can get a free signed copy of Reds when you sign up at thenewworld.co.uk/2matts. Enjoy!Produced by Matt Withers
The Two Matts Q&A: Harry and Meghan, Dolly Parton… and blockbuster books
38:57|The Matts tackle listener questions in their regular Sunday morning Q&A edition, including: Is there a resurgence of homophobia? Should Harry and Meghan be welcomed back to the UK? Are we heartbroken over Dolly Parton? What does the Meta mega settlement mean? Are online comments a good thing? And what should we be reading next? Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Subscribe to The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts/
Andy Burnham’s first big test is around the corner
44:14|The Matts think about Andy Burnham’s first month (and a bit) in Downing Street and anticipate a period of difficulty ahead for a PM whose inclination may be to keep people happy in an age when dramatic change is required. In the second half, what does the release of Jason Arday’s autobiography tell us about attitudes towards truth in publishing?Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Subscribe to The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts/
The Two Matts Q&A: is the Kelly Plan dead? And TURN OFF YOUR BLOODY SPEAKER PHONE!
45:03|The Matts answer listener questions including: Is the Kelly Plan for an early election a non-starter? Is Richard Tice a secret Labour asset? How should we respond to the huge numbers of suicides in the UK each year? And is Wetherspoons right to ban speaker phones? Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Subscribe to The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts/You can contact Samaritans day or night, 365 days a year. Call them free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
2026: the year the climate crisis came home
47:09|The Matts discuss the government’s response to the severe heat this summer in England and Wales (sorry Scotland!)… and whether this year will be a turning point in the public’s perception of urgency around the changing climate. But first, they deal with the charge they were “lily-livered” in their response to the tragic death of Jason Arday.Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Subscribe to The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts/
The Two Matts Q&A: On the death of Jason Arday
24:46|The Matts answer listener questions in their regular Sunday morning episode, including the tragic death of Jason Arday, whether Nigel Farage has lost his touch, what Andy Burnham is trying to do on social media and whether the solar eclipse was all it was cracked up to be.Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Subscribe to The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts/
Andy Burnham vs Geoffrey Howe... and a side order of Jason Arday
57:05|The Matts remember an astonishing letter of 45 years ago which provides stark contrast with Andy Burnham’s politics of place. Also - how the Jason Arday saga has shamed not just one academic but an entire university… and much of the liberal establishment whose instinctive rush to defend Arday is indicative of a deeper problem. Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Subscribe to The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts/
The Two Matts Q&A: Is Andy Burnham a hot dad, and eff off Gianni Infantino
45:56|The Matts answer listeners' questions including: when will politicians actually face up to the climate crisis? Is Andy Burnham being creepy on social media? Has Zack Polanski’s bubble burst? Where would you start when fixing social care? Is The Odyssey really all that? And should Gianni Infantino be allowed to sell the World Cup? Enjoy!Produced by Matt WithersOFFER: Subscribe to The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts/