Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Zuckerberg has picked up the baton from Elon Musk as this week’s most depressing social media titan. His announcement to kick out fact-checking and let the community police itself is a significant moment in the rules (or lack of) governing how most of the world gets its news and opinions. The Matts discuss the potential damage, why this has happened now, and what a if anything - can citizens and governments do to resist the erosion of factual information in our times. Enjoy!

Get a FREE bottle of tequila when you subscribe to The New European (over 18s only, see ts and cs): theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What can we expect in 2025? The Matts take a view on the key issues facing the world in the next twelve months … plus: how to deal with a bully like Elon Musk. What can Keir Starmer do in the face of lies and slander spread across the sewer of X? And how low will Kemi Badenoch sink in her efforts to trump the populism of Nigel Farage’s Reform?

Get a FREE bottle of tequila when you subscribe to The New European (over 18s only, see ts and cs): theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More milestone moments from the Matts prompted by some whistful listener questions concerning the idea of voting tests, those we lost in 2024 and what they're looking forward to in 2025, including Liverpool's potential league win. We'll be back on Jan 6th. Until then - have a merry Christmas, and enjoy the last podcast of the season.

Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Matts reflect on the momentous year that is drawing to a close. Who made them cheer? Who made them boo? Who made them fall about laughing? It’s all here. Some of the names won’t come as a shock .. but there are a plenty of surprises. How does the Matts list of heroes, villains and clowns compare to yours? Only one way to find out … enjoy!

Content warning: references to rape

Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If one had any remaining shred of doubt that Prince Andrew is the biggest idiot in the realm, it was dispelled this week. Not content with being the close chum of a sex-ring monster, Andrew has also tainted the monarchy by becoming besties with a Chinese spy. The Matts discuss the fall out and wonder who the biggest fool is; Andrew, or the spy who imagined he’d have anything worth revealing. Meanwhile, no contenders for the biggest liar contest. Step forward Boris Johnson with his bizarre rallying call in the Mail to get Brexit done. He accuses Starmer of leading a “surrender squad” to derail Brexit. If only that were true, say the Matts. Enjoy.

Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Matts are told (not asked) that the EU isn't working, offer up advice to win discussions over Christmas dinner, and while Starmer is bashing Whitehall... is DOGE actually a good idea?

Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Jenrick started demanding Syrian refugees are deported from the UK less than a day after the fall of the tyrant they fled. But who is he really talking to? Who is he trying to impress? The Matts pick him apart. In part two they discuss the extraordinary response to the murder of US heath insurance boss Brian Thompson. How can anyone celebrate his cold blooded killing? The Matts test their theory that everything before “but” is bullsh*t. Enjoy.

Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.