Politics At Sam and Anne's

Some of the country’s biggest investment managers have sent a stark signal to Labour MPs.  They worry that any attempt to oust Keir Starmer as PM could rattle the markets, weaken the pound and risk a Truss-style shock. As Labour Together, the group that campaigned for Starmer’s leadership, tests the waters for potential successors, Sam and Anne unpack what’s happening inside the party. In Dow...

How vulnerable is the British state from Russian attacks? Sam and Anne discuss how the government will fund the additional defence spending and the rumblings of some unhappiness in the British deep state. Away from defence, Sam hears of some tensions building between No10 and No11 over the handling of the budget as a formal leak inquiry is launched. Plus, is the government...

With reports that Nigel Farage expects to do a deal, or even merge, with the Conservatives before the next election – is it game over for the Tories or Reform?  Sam and Anne discuss what this potential pact could mean for the right of British politics and whether the move will be seen as weakness from Mr...

It’s almost a decade since the referendum on leaving the EU – and it feels like Keir Starmer has turned up the dial on his Brexit rhetoric. He said it would be “reckless” to use Brexit as a template for foreign policy. Sam and Anne discuss what the PM had to say.  Elsewhere, how good is the UK-US zero tariff-drugs deal really and how are voters feeling about Labo...

The budget fallout continues but did the Prime Minister and the Chancellor exaggerate the size of the blackhole? Sam and Anne question whether Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves misled cabinet and the country to justify the smorgasbord of tax rises as pressure mounts across the political divide.  Elsewhere, has the reset talks with the European Union hit the buffers&...

After all the drama can MPs, the markets, business and voters stomach Rachel Reeves’ budget?  Sam and Anne look behind the headlines and dive deeper into items which were not noticed as much in the Chancellor’s budget, questioning whether it could be seen as a return to austerity.  Plus, the duo also consider the practicali...

Has the chancellor done enough to save the government after weeks of official and unofficial briefings of the "most trailed budget in history"? We knew Rachel Reeves was taking taxes to an all-time high before she was even on her feet in the Commons - thanks to the full budget being published by mistake on the Office for Budget Responsibility’s website - but what else was announced, and what didn'...

Mansion tax, gambling tax, milkshake tax, scrapping the two-child benefit cap – today we finally get all the details of the most trailed budget in political history.  So, who is the 2025 Rachel Reeves budget for and why? Sam and Anne assess how MPs and the markets will feel against voters and businesses.  Politically, the giveaways look like&n...

On the eve of the long-awaited budget, the rhetoric is ramping up and speculation across Westminster is wild – but has the criticism on the Chancellor been fair?  Sam and Anne assess Rachel Reeves’ position, her pitch roll to Labour MPs and her potential smorgasbord of tax rises.  Plus, the duo issue a warning about increased tariffs from China ahead of Christmas. 

As Business leaders gather for the CBI conference will the Chancellor be on their side?  Sam and Anne consider whether Rachel Reeves could make this budget for business a “death by a thousand taxes.”  Elsewhere, Sam has a scoop on the OBR’s growth forecasts and how they could impact the budget.  Plus, Anne has the behind the scenes take from the talks to end the war in Ukraine.&nbsp...

As the Prime Minister heads to the G20 in South Africa, could international support for the Ukrainian war effort be under threat as an alleged corruption case rocks the Zelenskyy government? Back home, is a massive political row about to erupt over the use of single sex spaces? Plus, there could be some uncomfortable reading for some in Westminster later, as Baroness Hallet presents her...

With just one week until the budget – what levers are left for the Chancellor to pull to plug the black hole in the public finances?  Sam and Anne assess the current economic outlook and explore what tax options are on the table for Rachel Reeves and whether a set of announcements could allevia...

The Prime Minister is out of the country again for the first of two overseas trips this week - he's off to Berlin ahead of the G20 in South Africa.  Back home, he leaves grumpiness and angst about next week’s budget – Sam tells Anne he’s hearing about the challenges of squeezing every last penny out of Whitehall departments. Is this the first budge...

Following a briefing war and a budget U-turn last week, can the Home Secretary get the government’s agenda back on track?  Sam and Anne discuss Shabana Mahmood’s plan to overhaul the asylum system – inspired by the Danes – and whether it will cut through with the voters.  Plus, they also consider the implications of the Chancellor’s decision to not...

As the fallout from the briefings against Wes Streeting rumbles on - does the PM have more issues behind the door to No10?  In a tumultuous 24 hours, Keir Starmer has been forced to refer himself to the ethics advisor over the appointment of the new football regulator.  Elsewhere, Sam has an exclusive on the links between a lobbying firm and Downing Street’s chief of communications, Tim...

What is going on? Sam and Anne share notes on the late night WhatsApps chats following a day of briefings about Keir Starmer’s future (and the WhatsApps keep coming as we record)  The message from the PM’s team was if there’s a leadership challenge (from the someone in his own cabinet or elsewhere) - he’d stand and fight.  Allies of Team Starmer have pointed a finger at Wes Streetin...

With Donald Trump threatening to sue the BBC, will the BBC have to pay out? And how have those across the political spectrum been reacting?  And with 15 days until Rachel Reeves’ budget, Matthew McGregor - CEO of campaigning organisation 38 Degrees and a former digital strategist for both Labour and Barack Obama - takes issue with Sam’s take from yesterday and sends in a voice note....

Sam reveals there might be some Traitors style plotting going on behind the scenes in the government. But from who? And how might Keir Starmer see off this challenge?   Budget speculation continues, and specifically – who is and is not a “working person”? And, should it occur, what would the consequences be of breaking a manifesto commitment? How perilous a moment for...

PM Keir Starmer flies to the Brazilian rainforest for the COP30 climate conference, a trip he almost biffed off, but the surge in polling support for the Green party may have changed his mind.   He’ll join Prince William and the King out in the Amazon – at the same time as considering rolling back on some of the government’s climate commitments.  Back home, Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces...

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&...