Politics At Sam and Anne's

Revealed: Who are the brains behind Burnham 03.06.2026 21min

Westminster may look busy but are MPs just waiting for the potential return of Andy Burnham?With the Makerfield by-election just over a week away Burnham insists he's focussed on winning the seat. But behind the scenes allies are already developing ideas that could underpin a future bid for No10.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at who is moulding the Burnham project and why certain plans for the economy and AI are attracting growing scrutiny from Westminster and the City.You can get the full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.

Life after Keir - will it be coronation or contest? 02.06.2026 20min

What has Starmer loyalist Pat McFadden really been thinking when he’s been out defending the PM?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss how the latest Mandelson drop makes for an awkward morning in cabinet.And they’ve lines from Labour’s deputy leader, Lucy Powell, from a podcast recording last night. Was she hinting that a leadership coronation is better than a leadership contest?Plus, our latest voting intention poll shows Labour’s Reform challenge isn’t going away.You can listen to the Matt Forde Political Party podcast here.

The Mandelson files: How bad can it be? 01.06.2026 21min

The ghost of Peter Mandelson returns as more than 1,000 documents, emails and WhatsApp messages due to be released – but how damaging will it be for the government?With ministers, officials and advisors braced for impact, Sam and Anne assess what could be in the files, whether the most sensitive material has been withheld and what the disclosures reveal about government communications in the age of disappearing messages.Plus, with the Makerfield by-election fast approaching, the duo examines mounting speculation over Labour’s future leadership.As names continue to circulate around Westminster, is the party already preparing for a post-Starmer era and will it be a slow or fast transition?

Morgan McSweeney on voters and discontent 26.05.2026 24min

With two hugely consequential months ahead in British politics, Sam and Anne look beneath the headlines and Westminster drama to ask what really comes next.As Donald Trump escalates tensions in the Middle East once again, the duo examine the pressure on Whitehall. Would any Prime Minister, whoever occupies Number 10, make a difference or face the same issues?Anne reports back from the Prague Security Conference where former Downing Street chief of staff – Morgan McSweeney – makes a stark warning on AI, political disruption and the future of campaigning.Plus, is Britain simply ungovernable?

The story behind Britain’s sanctions blunder 21.05.2026 19min

The Starmer government has made another blunder after it emerged that sanctions are being relaxed on Russian oil processed through third countries. As a political row unfolded, Sam and Anne discuss the fallout. Plus, Westminster is buzzing with rumours of a possible Labour coronation before the summer. If events moved quickly, what might an Andy Burnham cabinet look like? Sam and Anne discuss the possible contenders for Chancellor and whether Labour could end up with a new Foreign Secretary. And as speculation grows over what Burnham’s agenda as Prime Minister might be, two of Labour’s most difficult dividing lines are back in focus: single-sex spaces and assisted dying.

Rachel Reeves picks a fight on judicial review 20.05.2026 21min

After a fortnight of local and national elections drama - can the machinery of government get back moving again amid global instability?With the Straits of Hormuz still shut, Sam and Anne examine a raft of announcements coming from the Treasury. Is Rachel Reeves about to open a massive argument with the NIMBYs on the right to launch judicial reviews?Away from the levers of government, the duo look ahead to some upcoming by-elections and explain the rules around the coverage of electoral events.All the candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election can be found here.

How can Starmer’s cabinet look each other in the eye? 19.05.2026 20min

Andy Burnham makes his opening pitch to the voters of Makerfield but is he already in campaign mode for PM, as well as MP? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss his launch video.Back in London, there’s a cabinet meeting this morning. Just how awkward will that be for Keir Starmer? Especially with those who were pushing him to have a plan to leave office.And what happens over the next few weeks in government if a minister has said that don’t want the PM and the PM doesn’t have confidence in a minister?

Burnham’s 55% chance of losing Makerfield 18.05.2026 21min

Andy Burnham says Britain needs a “circuit breaker for politics” as he plots his return to Westminster. But with Labour sources putting his chances of success in the Makerfield by-election at less than 50:50, will his plan to stand for PM unravel before it’s begun?Sam and Anne unpack the political chaos consuming Labour, including the growing speculation about Sir Keir Starmer’s exit timetable, and Wes Streeting reigniting the row over rejoining the EU.Will voters see Burnham as Labour’s saviour or a man who pushes the party deeper into crisis? And does the reopening of the Brexit wars play into Reform UK’s hands?

Wes v Angela: The battle commences 14.05.2026 18min

Is the Labour leadership contest about to get messy and plunge the party into chaos?Sam and Anne start the day expecting Wes Streeting to resign as Health Secretary to spark a contest, but an early intervention may have swung the momentum.Angela Rayner has come out saying a HMRC investigation into her tax affairs is over, paving a way for a challenge but will she join the contest? Can Andy Burnham find a way to enter the fray?So, as the Prime Minister vows to fight any competitor the leadership discussions are heating up.The duo analyse the developing situation and ask whether it will be straight forward or complex showdown with the PM.

Starmer eyeballs Streeting - a clash or just coffee? 13.05.2026 20min

Will it be a ‘showdown’ when Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting meet today? Or does the King’s Speech calm Labour’s passions for 24 hours?Sam Coates and McElvoy wonder if any Labour leadership has got a bit stuck after a dramatic day of resignations. Because if Streeting doesn’t have the numbers and Andy Burnham doesn't even have a Commons seat – what can anyone do?Plus, amongst the pomp and pageantry the duo look at the substance of the King’s Speech – what bills are the ones to look out for?

Will Wes Streeting fire the starting gun today? 12.05.2026 24min

Will today’s cabinet showdown push Keir Starmer to make a final decision on his future?And will that mean Wes Streeting starts a leadership campaign?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy go over the dynamics of the cabinet meeting and who of the 32 is thinking what – with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood the most blunt so far about the PM needing to go.They also go over what they’re hearing from those who want any contest to be quick – and from those who want a longer game, with Andy Burnham involved.

Can Burnham delay Starmer’s exit? 11.05.2026 21min

A speech which could define the Keir Starmer premiership – but can he reset or will it be another underwhelming relaunch?With Labour MPs on edge, leadership contenders circling and worries over what stalking horse – Catherine West – will do next, Sam and Anne look at how quickly it all could spiral out of control if the PM fails to land his message.But could a quick contest potentially backfire on some of the rivals hoping to storm Number 10? The duo discuss why a delay in any leadership election might end up suiting the likes of Andy Burnham.Plus, away from the Starmer drama, is Nigel Farage about to face an investigation from the parliamentary watchdog over Christopher Harbone’s £5 million donation?

Keir’s defences: Has the dam broken? 10.05.2026 26min

Is anyone really prepared to put their head above the parapet to challenge Keir Starmer?After a disastrous set of election results, Labour backbencher Catherine West has launched a stalking-horse threat to force the Prime Minister out.But, with rival camps in disarray and would-be successors staying silent, will the cabinet unite around a successor or fracture even further?In this special debrief edition of Politics at Sam and Anne’s, the duo reveal who’s talking to who and whether Labour can stop the chaos before it spirals out of control.Elsewhere, as the SNP and Plaid Cymru look likely to lead the devolved administrations will the state of the union be put into further question.

Have election results decided Starmer’s fate? 08.05.2026 22min

As early results are declared in England and counting begins across Scotland and Wales has the narrative of these elections already been set?With Labour losing seats and council across England, Reform are already making significant gains.The pressure on the Prime Minister is ramping up…and we don’t have a full picture yet.Sam and Anne assess the early results and what they mean for the parties so far.They’ll return for second special debrief episode taking in all the results on Sunday afternoon.

Vote 2026: The final countdown 06.05.2026 21min

On the eve of a hugely significant set of local and national elections – who has the momentum and who is staring into an electoral abyss?Sam and Anne pore over the final voting intention polls before the elections – covering England, Scotland and Wales. Have the latest headlines for Reform and the Greens done any damage?Meanwhile, as part of a series of leader interviews on Sky News, Sam has been speaking to the Conservatives’ Kemi Badenoch. How will she be judged at this election and what does success look like for her party?Plus, Anne has some details from the Keir Starmer camp on how they plan to deal with aftermath of the coming days.You can find all the candidates standing in the elections across England, Scotland and Wales here.Sam and Anne will return for two special debrief episodes on Friday and Sunday as the votes come in across the country.

Ready or not: Keir’s rivals flounder 05.05.2026 21min

With days until the local and national elections – amid some grim polling projections – are Labour facing a double-edged threat from both the left and right of British politics?As instability in the Middle East intensifies, Keir Starmer is preparing to host a summit to tackle antisemitism, but will Labour’s punchy attack on the Greens – including claims of antisemitic remarks made by their candidates – cut through with the voters?Away from the campaigning Sam and Anne assess the state of potential leadership challengers. Are they ready and can they realistically force the Prime Minister’s hand?Plus, have Rachel Reeves’ warnings to the U.S. that the war with Iran would be “folly’ come back to haunt her?

Local elections: The pollster’s verdict 30.04.2026 20min

With one week until voters head to the polls in Scotland, Wales and England – are we about to see a seismic shift in British politics?In a special episode, Sam and Anne are joined by YouGov pollster Patrick English to break down the data and assess what it could all mean for the parties.As the vote splits across the spectrum, who is set to benefit – and is British politics entering a new multi-party era?A reminder that all the candidates standing in these elections can be found here.

“My prime minister” - the King steps in 29.04.2026 21min

Has King Charles’s warmth and humour helped save the special relationship?It may be a diplomatic win for Keir Starmer in Washington, helping to steady UK-U.S. relations – but have private comments by his U.S. ambassador made life more difficult back in London?Yesterday, the Prime Minister survived a vote demanding he appear before the privileges committee, but after another blockbuster Foreign Affairs Committee session, questions remain over his judgement to appoint Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States.Elsewhere, could Angela Rayner make a comeback post local elections and will there be a wider cabinet reshuffle?Plus, Sam flags some under-the-radar issues that could be highly consequential in the long run.

Will McSweeney stumble on Starmer? 28.04.2026 20min

What might Sir Philip Barton and Morgan McSweeney reveal about the Mandelson vetting scandal?Today, the former foreign office mandarin and Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff give evidence to MPs on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.That’s before the Commons vote on whether there should be an inquiry on if the Prime Minister misled Parliament.As well as select committees and votes, there are still 13 active bills to deal with before Parliament prorogues tomorrow.Sam’s in London for a pivotal day in the Starmer leadership and Anne’s in Washington for the King’s state visit.

The King in Washington: Charles’s real job this week 27.04.2026 20min

Can King Charles save the UK-U.S. special relationship?As the King touches down in Washington for a state visit, Anne – who was at the White House correspondent’s dinner – describes the moment a security incident plunged the night into chaos.With a critical three days ahead Sam and Anne discuss the high stakes diplomacy facing Britain and whether the strained relationship could be reset.Back in Westminster, with Parliament days from prorogation, Sam runs through the key government bills hanging in the balance and previews a major day at the Foreign Affairs Committee, as the Peter Mandelson scandal rumbles on.Plus, with 10 days until the local and national elections what options does Keir Starmer have on the table post polling day?