Shows / Politics At Sam and Anne's
Politics At Sam and Anne's
Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy with what you need to know about the day ahead in British politics. All in under 20 minutes and in your feed around 7.30am. They're across the key interviews, the main stories and what the parties are saying. Whatever they're talking about, Westminster will be talking about today.
Episodes
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
The hole in Starmer’s story on Iran
As the war in the Middle East enters its sixth day, questions remain over the Prime Minister’s stance – but did a cabinet revolt shape the UK’s response?…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
UK prepares for war lasting months
“This is not Winston Churchill we are dealing with here” - the words of Donald Trump as he attacks Keir Starmer over the UK’s approach to the Iran war - but…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Spring forecast: Decoding Reeves’ boasts
The Chancellor has been on her feet in the Commons – the backdrop? The momentous conflict unfolding in the Middle East - so was it a “non-event” that dated…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Starmer and Trump trade blows on Iran
Its Spring Forecast day but as the war continues across the Middle East – is the special relationship now under threat? Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and U.S…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Why Starmer bowed to Trump on Iran
After a weekend of destabilisation and tension across the Middle East, the UK allows the U.S. to use its military bases for attacks in Iran – but what…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Labour’s disaster: The blame game begins
The plumber come politician – Hannah Spencer – claims a seismic and historic win for the Greens at the Gorton and Denton by-election but, where does this leave…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Has the government sealed the fate of the assisted dying bill?
After months of heated and passionate debate across the country and in the Houses of Parliament, is the assisted dying bill about to fall? Sam exclusively…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Can Starmer conquer Burnham's kingdom?
With under 24 hours to go until the polls open in Gorton and Denton, is this by-election the biggest test facing Sir Keir Starmer’s government? Sam has been in…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Can Starmer shake off Mandelson’s ghost?
Peter Mandelson is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, a seismic moment in British politics - but will the pain of Epstein files continue to…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Make or break: The SEND reforms Keir Starmer must win
A royal arrest and a new cabinet secretary welcome the Prime Minister back from recess week but with a crucial by-election and significant white paper on…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Keir’s succession: The field widens
In a special recess week edition of Politics at Sam and Anne, the pair look at who could replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. Anne – who's in Munich – tells…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Revealed: Starmer’s three near-death moments
As the parliamentary recess approaches, questions are still being asked about the PM’s judgement – but will the break give him a chance for yet another reset?…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
What did Starmer promise to buy loyalty?
Like MPs, Sam and Anne are staggering through until recess. It’s only Wednesday but they have the latest on Labour psychodramas. Today – who was it calling…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Has Streeting painted a target on his back?
After a helter-skelter 24 hours - with calls for the PM to quit and another senior resignation from the heart of No10 – has Keir Starmer done enough to…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Can Starmer live without Morgan McSweeney?
The Prime Minister starts the week without his right-hand man – Morgan McSweeney – following his resignation over the appointment of Peter Mandelson but, has…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Starmer: Is there a future?
As the political drama over Peter Mandelson spills into the Commons - with another climbdown and a damaging revelation – it raises the bigger question: How…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Can Starmer keep Mandelson vetting secret?
Another day and another podcast dominated by Peter Mandelson – but as the political pressure ramps up across parliament, how will No10 react and is the carnage…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Is Mandelson already plotting his next comeback?
Peter Mandelson is still the main topic for discussion on the podcast again – as Anne reports back from an event with the US ambassador to London. Sam and Anne…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Mandelson fall: A body blow for McSweeney?
As another large dossier of Epstein files comes into the public domain – Lord Peter Mandelson resigns his membership to the Labour party, claiming he “doesn’t…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
President Xi vs the Tories
Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets China’s President Xi calling for a “more sophisticated relationship” - but can both nations achieve that amidst global…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Can 'never here Keir' bring back the goods from China?
As Keir Starmer touches down in Beijing – does the UK face a choice between a “golden age” or an “ice age” with its relationship with China? Sam and Anne…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Starmer in China: Will he trigger Trump?
As the Prime Minister prepares to fly off to China he leaves behind plenty of problems at home – including a snap by-election in Manchester – but what will he…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Can Starmer withstand the Burnham backlash?
After a weekend of will he or won’t he – Labour’s National Executive Committee decided to block Andy Burnham from standing in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Trump climbdown: Has January been a wasted month
After President Trump’s dramatic tariff climbdown at Davos, the Prime Minister and European leaders will be breathing a sigh of relief – but has it left more…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Farage lobbies Team Trump in Davos
Donald Trump finally descends on Davos despite a delayed flight – and is set to dominate the day at the annual get-together of the global elite. Sam and Anne…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Trump unleashes Chagos Bazooka on Keir
Sam and Anne started this episode wonder if Starmer and Trump relations were showing signs of being back on track. And as they were recording – the latest…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Why Starmer is saying Trump is wrong
After a weekend tariff assault by President Trump on the UK and Europe – triggered by the fallout from the U.S. ambition to buy Greenland – the Prime Minister…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Starmer’s three big woes revealed
Is the theme of anger and unhappiness dominating British politics and what, if anything, is the Prime Minister doing to quell the mood amongst his party and…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Why is the UK so bad at getting stuff done?
Another day and another u-turn – what does the climbdown on digital ID say about the credibility and authority of the Prime Minister? Sam and Anne also get you…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Labour MPs vs the Spooks
A row is brewing between the government, Labour backbenchers and the security services over the Hillsborough law. Sam has the intel on why MPs want it to go…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Red on red: How X is upsetting Labour
As global instability continues to dominate the Prime Minister’s agenda, is the threat to his premiership receding? After a rollercoaster week of foreign…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Bridget Phillipson fights back
Today, Sam and Anne ask the question, is the Prime Minister’s focus abroad distracting from his own problems and domestic reforms at home? With a plethora of…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
New restrictions: Government plans every driver will care about
Three things from Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy to start your political day. What the government is having to deal with – the unpredictability of Donald Trump…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Why Scottish Labour is telling Keir to stay away
The Starmer drama continues as the PM is warned by the Scottish Labour leader to stay away ahead of a crucial set of local elections – so, how popular is Keir…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Has the threat to Keir Starmer receded?
It's a new year but does Keir Starmer still have the same problems? The Prime Minister is already under scrutiny, at home and abroad, to clarify his position…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Will 2026 break British politics?
Could the next 12 months mould a new type of British politics, or could it break the entire system? Sam and Anne make their predictions and get into the…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Which politician had the best 2025?
As Parliament wraps up for 2025 – Sam and Anne reflect on a tumultuous year in British politics, looking at the highlights but mainly the lowlights. The duo…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Who is winning the Washington Ambo race?
It might be the last full day of business before parliament wraps up for Christmas but there is plenty on the menu for Sam and Anne to tackle. The duo look at…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Is Angela Rayner popular enough to be PM?
As President Trump files a multi-billion dollar lawsuit against the BBC and reported friction on the recent U.S.-UK technology deal – what state is the…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
What the first female head of MI6 really wants
As the head of MI6 prepares to make her first public speech – is the UK facing a “new age of uncertainty?” Sam and Anne discuss the priorities for Blaise…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Back of the queue: Europe minister keeps Anne waiting in line
As UK-EU reconnection talks continue in Brussels and London, are more deals in the offing, what does it mean and when will the public see the difference? Anne…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Has Trump abandoned Starmer?
“Weak”, the words of President Trump to describe European leaders, but how will it go down here in the UK and across the continent? Anne is in Brussels mopping…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Trump bashes Europe: What will Britain do?
As Europe scrambles to respond to Donald Trump’s latest posturing on peace in Ukraine - with the head of the Royal Navy warning about Russia’s threat in the…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Labour together? Who is hastening the PM's downfall
Some of the country’s biggest investment managers have sent a stark signal to Labour MPs. They worry that any attempt to oust Keir Starmer as PM could rattle…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Starmer v Putin: Why the deep state is worried
How vulnerable is the British state from Russian attacks? Sam and Anne discuss how the government will fund the additional defence spending and the rumblings…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Who is behind Farage-Tory pact plot?
With reports that Nigel Farage expects to do a deal, or even merge, with the Conservatives before the next election – is it game over for the Tories or Reform?…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Why is Keir Starmer talking about Brexit?
It’s almost a decade since the referendum on leaving the EU – and it feels like Keir Starmer has turned up the dial on his Brexit rhetoric. He said it would be…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Keirsplaining the budget: PM to the rescue?
The budget fallout continues but did the Prime Minister and the Chancellor exaggerate the size of the blackhole? Sam and Anne question whether Keir Starmer and…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
The budget's hidden problems revealed
After all the drama can MPs, the markets, business and voters stomach Rachel Reeves’ budget? Sam and Anne look behind the headlines and dive deeper into items…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Budget 2025: What Rachel Reeves didn’t say
Has the chancellor done enough to save the government after weeks of official and unofficial briefings of the "most trailed budget in history"? We knew Rachel…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
What is the positive case for Rachel Reeves’ budget?
Mansion tax, gambling tax, milkshake tax, scrapping the two-child benefit cap – today we finally get all the details of the most trailed budget in political…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Reeves’ risky budget fightback
On the eve of the long-awaited budget, the rhetoric is ramping up and speculation across Westminster is wild – but has the criticism on the Chancellor been…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Budget week: What business really fears
As Business leaders gather for the CBI conference will the Chancellor be on their side? Sam and Anne consider whether Rachel Reeves could make this budget for…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Gender wars follow Starmer to the G20
As the Prime Minister heads to the G20 in South Africa, could international support for the Ukrainian war effort be under threat as an alleged corruption case…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Is the mansion tax back?
With just one week until the budget – what levers are left for the Chancellor to pull to plug the black hole in the public finances? Sam and Anne assess the…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Has the budget already unravelled?
The Prime Minister is out of the country again for the first of two overseas trips this week - he's off to Berlin ahead of the G20 in South Africa. Back home…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Will Labour accept Shabana's asylum crackdown?
Following a briefing war and a budget U-turn last week, can the Home Secretary get the government’s agenda back on track? Sam and Anne discuss Shabana…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Behind the scenes at toxic No10
As the fallout from the briefings against Wes Streeting rumbles on - does the PM have more issues behind the door to No10? In a tumultuous 24 hours, Keir…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
Starmer v Streeting: What’s going on?
What is going on? Sam and Anne share notes on the late night WhatsApps chats following a day of briefings about Keir Starmer’s future (and the WhatsApps keep…
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
The BBC’s Billion Dollar Question
With Donald Trump threatening to sue the BBC, will the BBC have to pay out? And how have those across the political spectrum been reacting? And with 15 days…