Politics At Sam and Anne's

No wonder the new prime minister is feeling chipper. Labour and Reform are now neck and neck in the polls for first time in more than a year. The biggest change? Among young voters.

But the ‘Burnham Bounce’ doesn’t stop there – with the PM not only having the pleasure of meeting President Zelenskyy on a visit to a naval base but also our very own Sam Coates.

Sam tells Anne McElvoy about his time with Andy B...

Andy Burnham came into office promising the biggest change in Britain for 40 years. But one week into his premiership, is Britain seeing transformation or just a different style of politics?

As Burnham unveils plans on social care, devolution and welfare, Sam and Anne ask just how big the policies announced by Burnham actually are. Is this just a continuation of Starmer with a new face?

They also discuss Burnham's foreign policy as h...

The latest policy announcement from Burnham’s new government is a 20% tax break for pubs, clubs and live music venues. That means that pub could save an estimated £1,100 a year.

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy delve into the details and again ask, how will this be funded?

The two also discuss Burnham’s communication style and if it might need more discipline now that he’s in No.10. This is in light of the new PM&rs...

Andy Burnham wants to talk about his new bus fare cap but, and Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy point out, there isn’t much chance to talk about anything else without the Commons sitting.

They go through how the bus fare plan is funded. Chancellor John Healey says it will be “no burden to British taxpayers” but the small print raises questions about how the scheme will be funded.

At the Farnborough Air Show, there is cha...

The Andy Burnham era is underway, and the new prime minister is kicking off with a bang – cutting VAT on electricity bills.

He promised the country some “breathing space” on the cost of living, but with prices still rising will anyone actually feel better off? And is it properly funded?

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine what the announcement shows about Burnham’s direction of travel in government, as his new...

The bloodless coup reaches its climax today as Andy Burnham is set to become the 59th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom - but does a new face mark a new era of British politics?

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy dissect the choreography of the handover, preview Burnham’s first words as PM and analyse the key cabinet appointments that will reveal the shape of his government.

Will anything really change?

The duo also consider how a s...

With just one day until Andy Burnham is crowned Labour leader, many are still scratching their heads – what will a Burnham government actually look like?

The incoming PM says he’s in no rush and will take his time over cabinet appointments – having already signalled a budget is likely in October.

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy assess who could land the biggest jobs – especially at the Treasury, where Shabana Mahm...

It’s Keir Starmer’s final PMQs so Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy wonder if he’ll get a softer side of Kemi Badenoch in the chamber today.

But, as Starmer picks up his engraved carriage clock gift from cabinet, there’s a shift in the chat about who Andy Burnham’s neighbour at number 11 might be.

Have Team Burnham gone off the idea of Ed Miliband as Chancellor because of soft left optics? And who else is in t...

Keir Starmer’s farewell tour is well underway – but is he destined to spend most of it out of the UK?

With an extra day in Paris for the Bastille Day celebrations and a possible dash state side for the World Cup final, Starmer is ending his premiership on the world stage – arguably his happy place.

Back in Westminster, Prime Minister in waiting – Andy Burnham – ramps up preparations for government, telli...

The political week starts with the shockwaves from the murder of Reform politician – Ann Widdecombe – which has put MPs security firmly back in the spotlight.

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy have the latest on the police investigation, Nigel Farage’s response and the wider political fallout. It comes as the row over political party donations intensifies, with Reform arguing that the current safeguards aren’t stro...

The Andy Burnham era of politics is fast approaching – and the prime minister-in-waiting has finally set out some of his priorities for government.

As Labour leadership nominations open – with his last active challenger Al Carns officially stepping aside – Burnham’s path to power is now all but certain.

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy dissect his blueprint for Number 10, with a specific look at:

• A foreign polic...

Nigel Farage has triggered a political earthquake by quitting as an MP – but is he trying to get ahead of an inevitable scandal?

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack why Farage has called a by-election in Clacton and why none of the major parties are standing against him – with some describing it as a “gimmick.”

The duo also examine whether his plans will have any material impact on the Parliamentary Standards i...

After new claims about Nigel Farage’s funding arrangements, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss the bits of the new allegations which are worrying Reform.

Plus, what will an Andy Burnham government actually be like?

On the Treasury, the reports that he might try to split it in two seem have gone quiet but there seems to be an appetite to go early for this autumn’s budget.

Anne has also been speaking to Burnham advisor, Jim...

Could Nigel Farage’s alleged financial relationship with a convicted fraudster come back to haunt him?

The Reform leader is already under scrutiny over his £5 million gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harbone and these fresh allegations about his association with George Cottrell will intensify the pressure.

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack the political, legal and ethical questions at the heart of the claims and examin...

Andy Burnham could be just days away from entering Downing Street – but who are the winners and losers from the arrival of a new Prime Minister?

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine how Britain’s political landscape could be reshaped and what it means for the main opposition parties:

• Can Kemi Badenoch turn Labour’s transition into a Tory revival?
• Will Reform recover following a turbulent few weeks?
• What are the cha...

Team Burnham have been properly triggered over the Defence Investment Plan now they’ve found out £4.7bn of it is still to be funded.

For the first time in the transition, they’re feeling furious.

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy have news that the scale of the blackhole is even bigger than that.

Also - is a former Conservative mayor in the running to chair Great British Railways?

And can you have more Milibands than women in the...

Will the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan be the Prime Minister’s final and most contentious act?

Months of delays, a multi-billion-pound funding gap and the resignation of his Defence Secretary has Keir Starmer done enough to satisfy his military chiefs?

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack the political and strategic stakes and assess how NATO allies, not least Donald Trump, will make of the plans.

Elsewhere, with the PM&rs...

Barring any last-minute surprises, Andy Burnham will become Prime Minister three weeks today.

But what is his 10-year mission for the country and how will he achieve it?

In his first major speech in Manchester, Burnham will set out his plans for the economy, welfare and devolution with a pledge to deliver “good growth in every postcode.”

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine whether his promise of the biggest transfer of po...

It could have been a messy transition, but the ease with which Andy Burnham has returned to Westminster appears to be the product of many months of careful planning.

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy delve into the details of how Burnham’s expected coronation has been managed – and why Louise Haigh has emerged as a key architect behind the scenes.

Meanwhile, as Donald Trump breaks his silence on Keir Starmer’s likely repl...