Matt Goss, the renowned pop star, has delivered a scathing public condemnation of cancel culture, branding it as "a weapon" that has rendered British people "very afraid of our own shadow". The 57-year-old musician asserted that political correctness has caused society to "lose our way a little bit", and he firmly believes there should be absolutely no restrictions on freedom of speech.
A Climate of Fear and Self-Censorship
Known for his historically outspoken nature, Goss revealed he has now significantly tempered his public comments due to a pervasive fear of being "misunderstood or misinterpreted". He insisted to The Telegraph that this self-imposed restraint is, in itself, a form of control. "So the fear of cancel culture and the fear of being misunderstood is a weapon in itself," he stated. "It’s just the way it is in this country, more so here than the US."
Goss elaborated on his philosophy, arguing, "You should be able to say what you want. I don’t believe you should ever, ever silence the minority, but [it shouldn’t be] at the expense of the majority. The tail is wagging the dog a little bit."
Wading Into the Flag Debate
The singer, who once declared an intention to run for Prime Minister upon turning 60, also entered the contentious debate surrounding the Union Jack and St George's flag. He labelled the politicisation of national symbols as "disgraceful to weaponise a flag".
Operation Raise the Colours, a campaign promoting the display of flags, has polarised public opinion. While some view it as a patriotic endeavour, others criticise it as an intentional tactic to intimidate immigrants and ethnic minorities, citing links to far-right and racist movements.
Goss, however, took a firm stance, insisting the UK was the "only country on Earth that would allow" people to highlight negative connotations associated with their national flag. He branded critics of such displays as "moronic, imbecilic and controlling".
The Lingering Bros Rift and Hopes for Reconciliation
Beyond cultural commentary, Goss addressed the ongoing and deeply personal estrangement from his twin brother and former Bros bandmate, Luke Goss. The discussion comes in the wake of the highly successful Oasis reunion, which has fuelled public curiosity about a potential Bros reconciliation.
Bros, formed in 1986 with Matt as frontman, Luke on drums, and Craig Logan on bass, sold an estimated 16 million records. However, as their fame diminished, resentment festered, leading to a professional and personal split in 1992 that saw the brothers not speaking for years. A brief reunion occurred in 2017 for the group's 30th anniversary.
Matt confirmed in December 2024 that he and Luke were "completely estranged", telling The Guardian he no longer wished to "lie" about their relationship's true state. When pressed for reasons, he remained guarded, saying, "It's a tough one. I don't want to say too much, out of respect for him. But I'm not going to say it's kumbaya, because it certainly isn't."
Regret and a Stalled Path Forward
He expressed profound regret over their career decision, explaining, "To this day, I think we shouldn't have broken up. We should have just ridden out the storm." Providing an update to The Telegraph, Goss revealed relations had not improved and he was done attempting to mend fences, having already "done his best" and wishing to move forward.
Despite declaring he "loves Luke with every fibre of his soul" and remains eager to reunite Bros, Matt stated he did not want the pursuit "to cannibalise my life". He acknowledged that the Oasis reunion prompted a flood of questions about his own rift but insisted he "can't force that issue", maintaining he was "an awesome brother" and a "really supportive, loving man".
"I have a deep sense of loss for the time I could have spent [with Luke]," he admitted. "I just want to spend more time with my brother, whether it’s on stage or not. I want to find a way forward."
Late last year, Goss shared a hopeful wish that 2026 might be the year for reconciliation. He told the Daily Mail in September, "I hope the coming year is a year when me and my brother can put our differences aside as he's the love of my life, my best mate, so I would like to bind up my void."
Reflecting on their unique bond, he added, "I think discretion is everything, but I would say we're born on the same day, were brought up together, went to school together, so maybe he just needs space from me. But nobody knows me better than him and I believe nobody knows him better than me, so I hope we find a way to make an amends."
Concluding with a note of optimism for fans, Goss said, "There's no good reason for us not to do [a Bros reunion]. I hope me and my brother can find a path forward, I would love nothing more than for us to reunite. Bros put on spectacles when we go out and I would love nothing more."
