Podcast
Politics At Sam and Anne's
Hosted by Sky News · EN
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.
81episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Life after Keir - will it be coronation or contest?
3d ago00:20:47Tap to summarizeWhat 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.
Transcribe →The Mandelson files: How bad can it be?
4d ago00:21:30Tap to summarizeThe 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?
Transcribe →Morgan McSweeney on voters and discontent
1w ago00:24:42Tap to summarizeWith 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?
Transcribe →The story behind Britain’s sanctions blunder
2w ago00:19:10Tap to summarizeThe 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.
Transcribe →Rachel Reeves picks a fight on judicial review
2w ago00:21:15Tap to summarizeAfter 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.
Transcribe →How can Starmer’s cabinet look each other in the eye?
2w ago00:20:12Tap to summarizeAndy 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?
Transcribe →Burnham’s 55% chance of losing Makerfield
3w ago00:21:52Tap to summarizeAndy 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?
Transcribe →Wes v Angela: The battle commences
3w ago00:18:37Tap to summarizeIs 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.
Transcribe →Starmer eyeballs Streeting - a clash or just coffee?
3w ago00:20:25Tap to summarizeWill 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?
Transcribe →Will Wes Streeting fire the starting gun today?
3w ago00:24:02Tap to summarizeWill 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.
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