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.
94episodes
Episodes
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What does Burnham’s appointment of James Purnell mean?
2d ago00:22:50Tap to summarizeAndy Burnham appears to have taken another major step towards power, bringing in a big name from the Blair era – James Purnell – as his chief of staff. What does it say about the Burnham operation and the government he is trying to build?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack a decades-long relationship, and discuss why it’s being welcomed by Labour MPs, business and the city.Plus, as Starmer ally Darren Jones rules himself out of a leadership challenge, is the path now clear for a Burnham coronation?And Anne has been speaking to Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick. How do they deal with a new Labour leader, and do they have a clear narrative on migration?
Transcribe →Inside the battle for No11
3d ago00:23:45Tap to summarizeIn less than a month, Britain is set to get its seventh Prime Minister in under a decade.And barring a political earthquake, it's all but certain to be Andy Burnham.But several questions remain about what the King of the North really stands for – he now has just over three weeks to turn by-election victory into a policy platform to govern the country.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at the fading prospect of challengers and likely coronation. Can he really steady the ship ten years on from the Brexit referendum?Also, with the battle for No11 well underway, the duo also look at the economic agenda and what characters could form a Burnham government as the party begins to shape ideas for the next phase.
Transcribe →Keir Starmer’s final hours
4d ago00:19:59Tap to summarizeKeir Starmer is on the brink of resigning – the only question left is when does the drama end.After a tense weekend, the Prime Minister remains under intense pressure from his cabinet to quit, with Downing Street braced for the end of another short-lived premiership.Meanwhile, fresh from his Makerfield by-election victory, Andy Burnham returns to Westminster. But can the King of the North pull off a smooth succession to No10?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy have inside information from both the Starmer and Burnham camps on whether Labour can manage a seamless transition or whether a brutal leadership battle lies ahead.Plus, if there is to be a handover of power in the coming weeks, what are the pro and cons?
Transcribe →Burnham wins: So how do they oust Starmer?
1w ago00:22:16Tap to summarizeAndy Burnham has secured a thumping victory in the Makerfield by-election – but is it game over for Keir Starmer?With a critical few days ahead, attention now turns to Labour’s cabinet ministers, MPs and party members. Who could make the first move to oust the Prime Minister?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy have inside information from team Burnham and assess whether a ‘bloodless coup’ is really possible or whether rivals like Wes Streeting could disrupt the plan?Is this really Labour’s last chance to reconnect with voters and could Andy Burnham reset the party’s fortunes?Plus: are the Conservatives showing signs of a comeback after their surprise win in Aberdeen South?Is the SNP continuing to pay the political price for the fallout from the Peter Murrell saga?
Transcribe →By-election eve: Cabinet on the brink
1w ago00:17:35Tap to summarizeWith just 24 hours until polling day, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy preview three pivotal by-elections that could reshape British politics.The duo assess the contests in Makerfield, Aberdeen South and Arbroath & Broughty Ferry, exploring:Why Makerfield has become one of the most closely watched by-elections in recent political historyHow the Conservatives hope to capitalise on support for the oil and gas industry in Aberdeen SouthWhy Arbroath & Broughty Ferry is a crucial test of the SNP’s ability to fend off Labour's challengeAway from the campaign trail, Anne brings the latest intelligence from the UK-EU summit as political tensions continue to build in Westminster.Plus, is the cabinet starting to forge a path for the future without Keir Starmer?Sam and Anne will return on Friday morning for a special de-brief episode to discuss the impact of the by-election results on British politics.The candidates standing in Makerfield by-election can be found here.The candidates standing in Aberdeen South by-election can be found here.The candidates standing in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry by-election can be found here.
Transcribe →Russia’s Starmer plot - the fallout
1w ago00:15:53Tap to summarizeAs world leaders gather at the G7 summit – what's Keir Starmer’s top priority? With tensions in the Middle East, a trade dispute with China, a continuing war in Ukraine and Russia’s apparent involvement in arson attacks on homes and a car linked to Keir Starmer, the PM has his hands full.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy assess whether Starmer can turn high-level diplomacy into meaningful progress.The duo also examine the latest polling data, which suggests Andy Burnham remains the only Labour figure the public sees as a potentially stronger Prime Minister than Starmer. Plus, does Wes Streeting have the support to mount a leadership challenge if Labour's succession debate begins?
Transcribe →What’s Starmer’s plan for Friday morning?
2w ago00:22:10Tap to summarizeHow is Keir Starmer planning to play this week?The week which could end with Andy Burnham back in parliament.We know the prime minister’s got a social media ban for under-16s to announce today and a G7 summit to attend.But Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss what else is on his mind, particularly after the resignation of John Healey as defence secretary – and whether a stubborn attitude is the right way to be.They also have word on who’s back advising Keir Starmer.The full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election can be found here.
Transcribe →The ghosts of Burnham past haunt his campaign
2w ago00:22:49Tap to summarizeAndy Burnham’s political opponents are finding plenty of attack lines to throw at him. So, are past comments and policy positions – from WASPI women to calls for an early election – coming back to haunt the Burnham campaign?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy also wonder who is to blame for Keir Starmer’s troubles? Well, according to a focus group of Labour members – it's all the media’s fault!The duo unpack the mood within the party and the continued paralysis at the heart of government – affecting everything from the delayed reset of relations with the EU to the even more delayed Defence Investment Plan.You can see all the candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.
Transcribe →Belfast violence prompts fight on the right
2w ago00:21:07Tap to summarizeHas the unrest in Belfast sparked a new political battle over Britain’s immigration systemPolitical leaders have condemned the violent overnight protest after a Sudanese national was charged with attempted murder of a man in the city.With parties scrambling to seize control of the narrative, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine how the case has reignited questions about immigration, border security and the UK's system of indefinite leave to remain.Elsewhere, Nigel Farage holds his first major news conference since the local and national elections. Will Reform face renewed scrutiny over immigration decisions made by some of its leading figures during their time in Conservative government?You can find the full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.
Transcribe →Why Burnham agrees with Farage
2w ago00:18:22Tap to summarizeIs Andy Burnham having trouble putting clear teal water between himself and Nigel Farage, following comments calling for a tougher stance on immigration?Sam Coates has more from Manchester on the state of the Burnham campaign and how his movements after the Makerfield by-election remain unclear.Meanwhile, Anne McElvoy delves deeper into the defence dilemma – with military chiefs still reportedly in the dark over the contents of the Defence Investment Plan.As Defence Secretary John Healey prepares to argue that Britain needs to build more military equipment at home, questions remain over whether the government has the money and political will to fund its ambition.Plus, the duo check in on the latest polling numbers – did Reform UK’s bold response to the Henry Nowak killing fail to resonate with voters? You can see a full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.
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