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.
117episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ready or not: Keir’s rivals flounder
May 500:21:56Tap to summarizeWith 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?
Transcribe →Local elections: The pollster’s verdict
Apr 3000:20:06Tap to summarizeWith 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.
Transcribe →“My prime minister” - the King steps in
Apr 2900:21:27Tap to summarizeHas 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.
Transcribe →Will McSweeney stumble on Starmer?
Apr 2800:20:10Tap to summarizeWhat 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.
Transcribe →The King in Washington: Charles’s real job this week
Apr 2700:20:34Tap to summarizeCan 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?
Transcribe →Cat amongst the pigeons: Mandarins at war
Apr 2300:21:04Tap to summarizeWill the Prime Minister ever escape the ghost of Peter Mandelson and his decision to appoint the ‘Prince of Darkness’ as the UK’s ambassador to Washington?With fresh committee hearings looming – including an appearance from Cabinet Office permanent secretary Cat Little – and senior ministers appearing uncomfortable defending No10 on the airwaves, Sam and Anne ask if the row is anywhere near its peak.The duo also examine the growing tension between Downing Street and the civil service and whether pulling top mandarins into political warfare risks lasting damage to the system.Over on Planet Tory, Anne has an update on the rumoured reshuffle of Kemi Badenoch’s shadow cabinet.Plus, why isn’t the government more worried about a shortage of jet fuel due to the Iran war?
Transcribe →Keir's cabinet: Who's left on the barricades
Apr 2200:18:53Tap to summarizeHas the Prime Minister and No10 weathered the storm on the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal?With the dust only beginning to settle, Sam and Anne dissect the mixed, uncomfortable and carefully worded reactions from senior figures across the Labour party after Olly Robbins’ combative session in parliament.Keir Starmer braces for another grilling from MPs at Prime Minister Questions on the Mandelson saga but has he contained the damage, or has he been left out in the cold to face it alone?Away from Starmer drama, the duo look at the latest polling in Wales where Reform seem to be making ground on Plaid Cymru.
Transcribe →Why Olly Robbins isn’t Labour’s only problem
Apr 2100:21:15Tap to summarizeThe news agenda may be dominated by Olly Robbins’ highly-anticipated evidence session to MPs on the Mandelson scandal – but is an even more significant story unfolding elsewhere?Cabinet ministers and other senior Labour figures (but not the Prime Minister) will gather at a key conference – setting out competing visions on growth, energy security and economic policy. Are they positioning themselves for a future without Keir Starmer?Sam and Anne assess what Labour grandees can do to revive the party’s public standing and define what happens next.Plus, the duo have their weekly check-in on the state of the polls, and wonder whether the Mandelson saga has had an impact.
Transcribe →The problem with Keir’s Mandelson defence
Apr 2000:22:28Tap to summarizeThe Prime Minister faces another defining day as he confronts MPs over one question - when did he and No10 learn that Peter Mandelson had failed his security vetting?Keir Starmer has blamed top foreign office diplomat - Sir Olly Robbins - for not telling him, but allies of the mandarin are fighting back ahead of his expected appearance before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee tomorrow.Sam and Anne unpack the competing claims, the ongoing fallout and whether this has become a defining crisis for the PM - just a fortnight before the local and national elections.And, away from the fighting in Westminster, are Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner already planning for a future without Keir Starmer?Plus, is a Kemi Badenoch shadow cabinet reshuffle on the cards?
Transcribe →Going postal: The election brawl begins
Apr 1600:20:07Tap to summarizeWith three weeks to polling day, postal voting is underway in local and devolved elections across the UK - but will the process stay clean and how much could deepfakes distort the campaign?In Scotland, an almighty row has erupted between Labour and Reform over an alleged behind-the-scenes alliance to remove the SNP, with both parties branding each other liars.Down in Wales, questions are being raised over whether a party could win the most votes yet fail to form the next administration under the new voting system.Sam hears from the CEO of the Electoral Commission about the threat of deepfakes and a new pilot scheme to detect them.Away from the campaign trail, Anne has been speaking to the new German ambassador to the UK, who has struck up an unlikely friendship with a potential challenger to Keir Starmer.Plus, details of plans being drawn up for a “worst-case scenario” over food shortages if the Strait of Hormuz remains shut. You can find all the candidates standing in the local and national elections across the country here.
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