Politics At Sam and Anne's

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 do about it?

Sam is on his way to the North West to see if Keir Starmer can navigate this moment of jeopardy, as some parties launch their campaigns for the Gorton and Denton seat.

Back in Westminster, the government makes a significant announcement on ground rents.

Plus, we hav...

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 election – but has this move just ignited a massive internal civil war?

Sam and Anne reveal some of the details from the crucial NEC meeting – assessing how damaging the move could be and whether the argument to shut the door on Mr Burnham’s potential return to SW1 is robust ...

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 questions than answers and can the UK claim any credit for the change in position?

Sam and Anne reflect on a month - primarily dominated by foreign issues and U-turns - and discuss whether if it was a missed opportunity for the government to push its priorities at home.

The duo ...

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 reflect on his mega press conference prior to his departure – where he criticised Keir Starmer on the Chagos deal once again – and ask whether the PM will be missed in the Swiss Alps.

Anne has the latest on the ground, gathering intel from across the economic and political spect...

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 Trump Truth Social post calls the UK Chagos Islands deal “an act of GREAT STUPIDITY”.

A move that’ll dominate the day – Sam explains how it’ll land in Westminster and Anne explains what people will be saying at Davos.

There’s also more u-turn talk after ministers confirm a consulta...

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 rips up the agenda to hold an emergency news conference in Downing Street.

Sam in London and Anne in Davos to go through what options Sir Keir Starmer has on the table and assess whether the PM should retaliate or find a diplomatic way through the choppy waters?

Back in the Com...

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 the public?

Sam has details of misery and irritation within the Labour ranks over plans to overhaul parts of the jury system to cut the courts backlog – but is another u-turn or rebellion on the horizon?

Elsewhere, will the assisted dying bill make it over the line before the Kin...

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 even further, leaving No10 in a tricky position.

After several policy U-turns and potentially more on the horizon – is the Prime Minister still in the driving seat and to what extent?

Plus, as Reform UK claims its most high-profile scalp so far in Nadhim Zahawi, why are the polls...

As global instability continues to dominate the Prime Minister’s agenda, is the threat to his premiership receding?

After a rollercoaster week of foreign events, and now the possibility of the collapse of the Iranian regime, Sam and Anne asses the perception of his actions on the home and domestic fronts.

Link to foreign affairs, Anne has some intel on defence spending and how the funding doesn’t match the UK’s intention to be involv...

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 contentious legislation to get through ahead of the spring statement in March and the Kings speech in May - the duo forecast whether there could be more rebellions down the line.

The pair home in on the complicated problems facing Bridget Phillipson - how she deals with SEND re...

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.

Just as Britain signs up to troops in Ukraine if there’s a peace deal, it’s having to use its best diplomatic language on what the President’s thinking about Greenland.

What the government wants to deal with – publishing the road safety strategy which is something every driver wi...

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 Starmer across the board?

Well, not very according to the first weekly check-in on the state of the polls in 2026 – as ‘Never Here Keir’ jets off to Paris for another Coalition of the Willing meeting.

Before that, it’s the first cabinet of the New Year – and Sam and Anne have e...

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 on Donald Trump’s actions to strike and capture Venezuela’s President Maduro.

Can he ‘beige’ it out or will he bow down to the pressure from his opponents and critics?

Elsewhere, as MPs flock back to Westminster for 2026, is the PM premiership in a stronger or weaker position ...

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 political meat and potatoes of 2026, focusing on:

1. If all the party leaders will still be in post?
2. Could the local elections force a s...

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 use their ‘glass half empty, glass half full’ approach to gauge if anyone can look forward to 2026 with pleasure or look back to 2025 in horror.

Politics at Sam and Anne’s will be back for a special look ahead episode to 2026 on Monday 29th Dece...

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: 

• The man to beat in the race to become the next UK ambassador to the United States 
• Britain looking set to rejoin the Erasmus student exchange programme but how much will it cost the taxpayer?&n...

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 ‘special relationship’ in?

Sam and Anne pore over the details, look if things can get back on track or whether the President is meddling too much in UK political affairs.

Also, we have some exclusive polling from Labour voters on who they would prefer as leader of the Labour party if ...

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 Metreweli – identifying where the perceived threats are coming from and how Britain is being targeted.

Before he jets off to Berlin for more Russian-Ukraine peace talks, the Prime Minister will face the liaison committee as parliamen...