Politics At Sam and Anne's

The Chancellor breaks the norm by making a speech in Downing Street 22 days ahead of the budget – with everyone closely watching for what exactly she says on tax rises.  Sam and Anne consider why Rachel Reeves is doing it now and how budget preparations have changed since Liz Truss’ days.  We’re not expecting new policy from the Treasury, more an event which tries to prepare voters...

As speculation grows as to what could and could not be included in the budget, do Reform UK have a credible and alternative plan for the economy? Sam and Anne discuss how and where Nigel Farage will pitch his party on the economic front ahead of a key speech in the city, described by some as “bombproof." The duo also consider which sectors could be impacted by the upcoming budget and how the gover...

Rachel Reeves admits breaking housing rules after failing to get a licence to rent out her Dulwich home, but Keir Starmer says an apology is enough. A penny for Angela Rayner’s thoughts - she too claimed she was wrongly advised - the prime minister and his Chancellor face a nervous morning to see the reaction.  Plus, Sam’s been inside the Spectator Awards, where Lucy Powel...

The Chancellor’s on manoeuvres – talking in a new interview about “necessary choices” around the budget. Rachel Reeves says she needs to be “candid” and doesn’t want to “simply accept” forecasts – but to “defy them”.  With four weeks to go to the budget, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy ponder what she might be up to. They also have some sums on how the government might fill a...

As Labour sinks to record lows in the latest YouGov poll, and the Chancellor wrestles with how to fill a £20billion budget gap, Keir Starmer’s government faces fresh pressure on migration, the economy and trust.   Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy break down the day’s biggest stories in British politics. 

A bruising weekend for Keir Starmer: Labour loses its stronghold Caerphilly seat to Plaid Cymru in a by-election and faces fallout from the mistaken release and chaotic recapture of a convicted sex offender.  Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack what went wrong, as a damning report on the asylum system slams the Home Office.  Plus, Lucy Powell makes her debut as Labour’s new deputy leader&...

Could ‘Maga-fication’ change the course of British politics?    Anne has been speaking to former Conservative Prime Minister, Liz Truss, who outlines several perceived problems in the country – from lack of growth to higher taxes.    The duo also discuss her comments about what the Tories really stands for and the threat from Reform UK as the party grapples for prominence in the polls. 

With growing signs that Britain’s top civil servant will leave No10 in the coming weeks – some ask, does the Prime Minister have a problem with people?    Sam and Anne discuss the potential impact of Chris Wormald departure from the government machine and whether there could be more exits on the horizon.    Plus, the Home Secretary warns that the national inquiry into grooming gangs will leave “no...

What is parliament’s role in what happens to Prince Andrew from here? With Virginia Giuffre’s book released today and new reports that he’s not paid rent on the Royal Lodge in Windsor for two decades – Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss how uncomfortable Westminster might be feeling about the former trade envoy.    Outside of London, how are the parties feeling about this week’s Senedd by-electio...

The week kicks off with a rare Monday morning cabinet meeting – but have the government managed to shake off all the stories about China?    With Anne still in Washington, she has the latest gossip on the race to replace Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the U.S. - as the job advert goes live.    Back in Westminster, all eyes on the Lords as the Planning and Infrastructure bill returns, bu...

Following Sam's scoop that the chancellor is considering tax rises and spending cuts in the budget – who is she actually targeting to fill the black hole? Anne has the latest from the US as she travels with Rachel Reeves to Washington. The duo also chat about Ms Reeves's economic position, her language and the likelihood of her ever getting out of the dreaded 'doom loop.' Elsewhere, the prime mini...

The Chancellor tells Sam – on the record – that she is considering tax rises and spending cuts ahead of a critical autumn budget.    In an exclusive interview – her first since being briefed by the OBR on the size of the black hole – Rachel Reeves discusses whether there is a way out or if she’s stuck in a ‘doom loop’.    As she meets with economic leaders at the IMF in Washington – the duo consid...

On the day, the government wants to talk about cutting ‘burdensome bureaucracy’ in the planning system – China is the story it can’t shake off again.    Sam and Anne go over the fresh warning about “significant threat” posed by Chinese hackers and how they contributed to a record number of serious online attacks.    And there’s more to say about the collapse of the China spy trial. Ministers are s...

As Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners are exchanged on one of the most significant days for peace in the Middle East – what role did Britain play in the peace plan?    With the Prime Minister in Egypt for the summit of peace – Sam and Anne assess if Keir Starmer can take any credit or whether he is there for the photo opportunity after criticism from international allies.     Back in Westm...

It’s day two of the prime minister’s trip to India - but has there been any progress towards an enhanced trade deal for the jumbo business delegation? Sam has the latest update from Mumbai – as he travels with Keir Starmer – after speaking to senior figures on the trip.    The transcontinental duo also caught up with YouGov pollster Patrick English – to ask what state the parties are in with the v...

Sam and Anne break down Kemi Badenoch’s speech to the Conservative party conference in Manchester.    The duo consider:    Did she do enough to dampen the threat of a leadership challenge?  Will her big headline announcement – to abolish stamp duty – cut through with the voters?  Why did she attack some political opponents but not others?    Plus, Sam and Anne briefly reflect on the conference sea...

Sam and Anne join forces 4,600 miles apart as the Prime Minister takes a jumbo trade and business delegation to India.    In Mumbai, the PM is given a warm welcome – with banners and posters lining the streets – but will the trip help or hinder the existing trade deal between the nations and business?    Back in Manchester, Anne has the latest from the Conservative conference as Kemi Badenoch prep...

Sam and Anne have done the late-night Conservative conference parties and have news from those – as well as the day ahead.     It’s ‘law and order’ day in Manchester - Robert Jenrick will unveil plans to abolish the sentencing council to end what some Tories call “two-tier justice system.”    But Jenrick is at the centre of another story – calling the Handsworth area of Birmingham one of the “wors...

Sam and Anne manage about three points from the “10 things you didn’t know about Mel Stride” briefing before getting onto the substance of the day.    (Licenced pilot and unpublished novel, by the way)    It is the shadow chancellor’s big day at Conservative conference in Manchester – where he’ll identify billions of pounds of budget cuts – is there a distinct policy difference between ‘Melonomics...

The Conservative party conference week starts with Sam's story about another Reform defection. Mark Gallagher donated to Kemi Badenoch's leadership campaign, but the Tories claim he was never "really true blue". Also on this preview episode - the active operation to "get" Ms Badenoch in Manchester, as the leader confirms the Conservatives would take the UK out of the European Convention on Human R...

48 hours before the Conservatives arrive in Manchester (and some are joking that they hope the party enjoys its last conference), Anne’s got an interview with Kemi Badenoch.    The Tory leader tells members to “hold their nerve” with her – and comes out swinging about recent defections to Reform. But was it wise to liken the party to a “distressed asset”?    Elsewhere, Sam’s got more on the digita...

The Prime Minister’s speech may have settled nerves amongst his party, but has he opened a can of worms by attacking Reform?    Sam and Anne assess the mood of Nigel Farage and some within Starmer’s inner circle - who arguably seem a bit displeased.    Plus, as conference wraps up, focus turns quickly to the deputy leadership race and things are already hotting up between Lucy Powell and Bridget P...

This is what Sam and Anne made of Keir Starmer’s speech to the Labour conference in Liverpool.  It was an hour that was often pitched at Middle England voters tempted by Reform – but also seemed to go down well with Labour’s soft left.  The PM doubled down on his stance that some of Nigel Farage’s policies are racist.  How will all that go down outside the conference bubble?  In the Politico pub,...

It’s speech day for the Prime Minister but will it do the job, and can he convince conference he is the man to fix Britain?    Sam and Anne look ahead to Sir Keir Starmer’s critical address and his argument of a choice between renewal or decline.    The pair also reflect on the Chancellor’s speech and her strongest indication yet that tax rises could be on the horizon for the November budget.    A...

Rachel Reeves gets her moment in Liverpool, but Sam and Anne explain why the podium at Labour conference might be the second biggest thing of her week.    By Friday, the OBR will have put a number on the size of the black hole – the money she’s got to find to fund policy u-turns on policies such as winter fuel.    You’re not getting that number from anyone from government in Liverpool though.    ...