Matthew Stadlen
@matthewstadlen.bsky.social
Left-leaning political commentator, TV and radio presenter
As if the split on the right between the Tories and Reform weren’t enough of a spectacle, we now have a split on the further right between Reform and Restore. Farage v Lowe. A race to the bottom.
February 15, 2026 at 5:57 PM
As if the split on the right between the Tories and Reform weren’t enough of a spectacle, we now have a split on the further right between Reform and Restore. Farage v Lowe. A race to the bottom.
Britain is a diverse country. That’s not going to change. The people who constantly complain about it are embittering themselves.
February 13, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Britain is a diverse country. That’s not going to change. The people who constantly complain about it are embittering themselves.
Imagine if the focus of our media was policy rather than anonymous political briefings and sensationalism.
February 13, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Imagine if the focus of our media was policy rather than anonymous political briefings and sensationalism.
If you supported the “colonisation” comments by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, shame on you. It hasn’t suddenly become ok to be racist. And it never will be.
February 13, 2026 at 8:47 AM
If you supported the “colonisation” comments by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, shame on you. It hasn’t suddenly become ok to be racist. And it never will be.
Reposted by Matthew Stadlen
Appreciated this searching conversation with Matt Stadlen open.spotify.com/episode/6Rwp...
20 Questions With Zoe Williams
open.spotify.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Appreciated this searching conversation with Matt Stadlen open.spotify.com/episode/6Rwp...
UK GDP grew 1.3% over 2025, according to preliminary estimates (with GDP per head up by 1%).
France grew by 0.9%
Italy by 0.7%
Germany by only 0.4%
Unspectacular but encouraging, despite a disappointing final quarter?
France grew by 0.9%
Italy by 0.7%
Germany by only 0.4%
Unspectacular but encouraging, despite a disappointing final quarter?
February 12, 2026 at 2:59 PM
UK GDP grew 1.3% over 2025, according to preliminary estimates (with GDP per head up by 1%).
France grew by 0.9%
Italy by 0.7%
Germany by only 0.4%
Unspectacular but encouraging, despite a disappointing final quarter?
France grew by 0.9%
Italy by 0.7%
Germany by only 0.4%
Unspectacular but encouraging, despite a disappointing final quarter?
The woke right offended by the outcry over the egregious misuse of the word “colonise” by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. They should educate themselves about British colonialism and what it involved. And then educate themselves about immigration and what it involves. And then be better.
February 12, 2026 at 2:43 PM
The woke right offended by the outcry over the egregious misuse of the word “colonise” by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. They should educate themselves about British colonialism and what it involved. And then educate themselves about immigration and what it involves. And then be better.
So not content with trying to run a football club, Sir Jim Ratcliffe claims that the population of the UK was 58 million in 2020 and that we have since been “colonised”. In fact, the Office for National Statistics tells us: “The population of the UK at mid-year 2020 was estimated to be 67.1 million”
February 11, 2026 at 9:17 PM
So not content with trying to run a football club, Sir Jim Ratcliffe claims that the population of the UK was 58 million in 2020 and that we have since been “colonised”. In fact, the Office for National Statistics tells us: “The population of the UK at mid-year 2020 was estimated to be 67.1 million”
There seems to be almost an addiction to political chaos in the media. A lust for drama and headlines. Britain needs stability. There's no doubt that Starmer's government has made mistakes, but the answer is for them to improve, not throw the country into turmoil.
February 10, 2026 at 2:05 PM
There seems to be almost an addiction to political chaos in the media. A lust for drama and headlines. Britain needs stability. There's no doubt that Starmer's government has made mistakes, but the answer is for them to improve, not throw the country into turmoil.
Nigel Farage has been trying desperately to kill off the Tory Party (while importing dozens of former Tory MPs!). So it must be a matter of serious concern for him that the Conservatives refuse to die in the polls. The right of British politics is split and that’s a big problem for Reform.
February 10, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Nigel Farage has been trying desperately to kill off the Tory Party (while importing dozens of former Tory MPs!). So it must be a matter of serious concern for him that the Conservatives refuse to die in the polls. The right of British politics is split and that’s a big problem for Reform.
As the polls keep telling us, Britain doesn’t need or want Reform.
February 10, 2026 at 9:34 AM
As the polls keep telling us, Britain doesn’t need or want Reform.
It’s not implausible that Starmer emerges stronger from this crisis and feels emboldened to get on with delivering progressive and effective government.
February 9, 2026 at 9:33 PM
It’s not implausible that Starmer emerges stronger from this crisis and feels emboldened to get on with delivering progressive and effective government.
It’s possible to think that Starmer made a mistake in appointing Mandelson as Ambassador to the US and to think he shouldn’t quit as Prime Minister.
February 9, 2026 at 7:48 PM
It’s possible to think that Starmer made a mistake in appointing Mandelson as Ambassador to the US and to think he shouldn’t quit as Prime Minister.
NEW**
Guardian columnist Zoe Williams on a split on the left of British politics, whether Starmer should resign, national identity, the humanity of asylum seekers, and pushing back against the politics of Reform.
A must listen!
open.spotify.com/episode/6Rwp...
Guardian columnist Zoe Williams on a split on the left of British politics, whether Starmer should resign, national identity, the humanity of asylum seekers, and pushing back against the politics of Reform.
A must listen!
open.spotify.com/episode/6Rwp...
20 Questions With Zoe Williams
open.spotify.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:42 PM
NEW**
Guardian columnist Zoe Williams on a split on the left of British politics, whether Starmer should resign, national identity, the humanity of asylum seekers, and pushing back against the politics of Reform.
A must listen!
open.spotify.com/episode/6Rwp...
Guardian columnist Zoe Williams on a split on the left of British politics, whether Starmer should resign, national identity, the humanity of asylum seekers, and pushing back against the politics of Reform.
A must listen!
open.spotify.com/episode/6Rwp...
The fact that senior government figures are being compelled to hand over electronic communications with Mandelson is another sign that British democracy is in a considerably stronger place than American democracy is under Trump.
February 6, 2026 at 3:58 PM
The fact that senior government figures are being compelled to hand over electronic communications with Mandelson is another sign that British democracy is in a considerably stronger place than American democracy is under Trump.
**NEW**
A podcast for the weekend.
Julia Bradbury on her cancer journey, searching for answers in the worlds of health and wellbeing, filming in Antarctica, and launching TV channels.
open.spotify.com/episode/2kw7...
A podcast for the weekend.
Julia Bradbury on her cancer journey, searching for answers in the worlds of health and wellbeing, filming in Antarctica, and launching TV channels.
open.spotify.com/episode/2kw7...
20 Questions With Julia Bradbury
open.spotify.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:54 PM
**NEW**
A podcast for the weekend.
Julia Bradbury on her cancer journey, searching for answers in the worlds of health and wellbeing, filming in Antarctica, and launching TV channels.
open.spotify.com/episode/2kw7...
A podcast for the weekend.
Julia Bradbury on her cancer journey, searching for answers in the worlds of health and wellbeing, filming in Antarctica, and launching TV channels.
open.spotify.com/episode/2kw7...
London is an incredible city if you’re not a racist.
February 6, 2026 at 12:18 PM
London is an incredible city if you’re not a racist.
Starmer’s decision to appoint Mandelson was a bad one. He’s paying a price for that now. But where was the outrage at the time?
February 5, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Starmer’s decision to appoint Mandelson was a bad one. He’s paying a price for that now. But where was the outrage at the time?
It couldn’t be a much worse time for a fumbling Labour government. The risk of a Reform government is real and they would do immense damage to our country.
February 4, 2026 at 10:39 PM
It couldn’t be a much worse time for a fumbling Labour government. The risk of a Reform government is real and they would do immense damage to our country.
**NEW**
Julia Bradbury on her cancer journey, her focus on health and wellbeing, and 30 years as a TV presenter.
open.spotify.com/episode/2kw7...
Julia Bradbury on her cancer journey, her focus on health and wellbeing, and 30 years as a TV presenter.
open.spotify.com/episode/2kw7...
20 Questions With Julia Bradbury
open.spotify.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:22 PM
**NEW**
Julia Bradbury on her cancer journey, her focus on health and wellbeing, and 30 years as a TV presenter.
open.spotify.com/episode/2kw7...
Julia Bradbury on her cancer journey, her focus on health and wellbeing, and 30 years as a TV presenter.
open.spotify.com/episode/2kw7...
“Never trust a Tory. They will always let you down, they will always betray you,” Nigel Farage said - while importing 26 current or former Tory MPs to Reform.
February 1, 2026 at 9:49 PM
“Never trust a Tory. They will always let you down, they will always betray you,” Nigel Farage said - while importing 26 current or former Tory MPs to Reform.
I’m proud of our flag. I’m not keen on racists and xenophobes who use it in a show of hostility to immigrants.
January 30, 2026 at 4:48 PM
I’m proud of our flag. I’m not keen on racists and xenophobes who use it in a show of hostility to immigrants.
Some of these right wing grifters talk of immigrants to Britain as though they’re things. It’s absolutely disgusting and should be called out every time.
January 30, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Some of these right wing grifters talk of immigrants to Britain as though they’re things. It’s absolutely disgusting and should be called out every time.
Reposted by Matthew Stadlen
**NEW**
A podcast for your Wednesday
Sir Richard Eyre, one of the greatest directors of his generation, on the genius of Judi Dench, Anthony Hopkins and Marlon Brando.
open.spotify.com/episode/0pv2...
A podcast for your Wednesday
Sir Richard Eyre, one of the greatest directors of his generation, on the genius of Judi Dench, Anthony Hopkins and Marlon Brando.
open.spotify.com/episode/0pv2...
20 Questions With Sir Richard Eyre
open.spotify.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:06 PM
**NEW**
A podcast for your Wednesday
Sir Richard Eyre, one of the greatest directors of his generation, on the genius of Judi Dench, Anthony Hopkins and Marlon Brando.
open.spotify.com/episode/0pv2...
A podcast for your Wednesday
Sir Richard Eyre, one of the greatest directors of his generation, on the genius of Judi Dench, Anthony Hopkins and Marlon Brando.
open.spotify.com/episode/0pv2...
“My message to you is clear, plain, and simple. Never trust a Tory. Did you get that? I’ll repeat it. Never trust a Tory. They will always let you down, they will always betray you, Reform UK are the real deal.”
Farage has welcomed 26 current or former Tory MPs to Reform.
Farage has welcomed 26 current or former Tory MPs to Reform.
January 29, 2026 at 5:45 AM
“My message to you is clear, plain, and simple. Never trust a Tory. Did you get that? I’ll repeat it. Never trust a Tory. They will always let you down, they will always betray you, Reform UK are the real deal.”
Farage has welcomed 26 current or former Tory MPs to Reform.
Farage has welcomed 26 current or former Tory MPs to Reform.