Politics At Sam and Anne's

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 budget that’s unravelled before it’s delivered? And with auditions becoming a theme of the Labour front bench, did the Home Secretary pass on her big day? Plus, is there a quiet man elsewhere in cabinet who is turning up the volume? 

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 raise income tax and where the ‘smorgasbord’ of other tax rises will come from. 

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 Allen. The duo also consider if a former Labour leader could return to the top job and whether calls from cabinet ministers and backbenchers to sack the PM’s chief of staff – Morgan McSweeney – have any substance. 

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 Streeting.  He’s denied any plot and has got an opportunity of the morning round to bolster that. As one government figure said to Sam - “bonkers”. If the PM doesn’t trust the Health Secretary – how does he stay? 

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.  And Sam and Anne discuss the latest twist in the Your Party saga, and it’s all about money. 

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 Starmer could this be? And after the BBC’s Director General and CEO of News resign, what does Starmer now say about the organisation? And who will come next in the top BBC job? 

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 criticism over her warnings for the next budget, while she brings in experts to school Labour MPs on how budgets, debts, and deficits actually work.  And there’s a mini recess for Westminster, so Sam and Anne have an extra few days off. They return on Monday. 

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 for tax changes. Elsewhere in Westminster, Conservative leader – Kemi Badenoch – is out and about attacking the government’s spending on the welfare bill. Plus, we have our weekly check-in on the state of the polls. 

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 government might sell potential tax rises to voters.

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 Powell and Shabana Mahmood jovially took aim at some of their Labour colleagues - and Nigel Farage vowed to take on Westminster's elite.  

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 black hole coming in above £30bn. Will Labour manifesto pledges be breached?Elsewhere, Keir Starmer chooses a Labour veteran to lead their election campaigns next May. Spencer Livermore will take on the task. 

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 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has left the country to try to push through a Gulf trade deal. Will she be successful?

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 hiding place” after several individuals quit the inquiry panel. 

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-election in Caerphilly?  Plus, in our weekly check-in on polling, are the Greens cutting through with the voters and could that be encouraging Keir Starmer to change his plans for the COP summit in Brazil?  There’s a full list of candidates standing in the Senedd by-election in Caerphilly here: https://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/my-council/voting-and-elections/forthcoming-elections-2025/election-notices/senedd-by-election-caerphilly-constituency   

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, but will it help or hinder the Rachel Reeves’ quest for growth?  Plus, are the UK going to follow Canada with a new pension and insurers partnership? 

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 minister publishes three witness statements by the deputy national security advisor in an attempt to end the China spy row, but has it left more questions than answers?

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 consider the political ramifications and options on the table for her to plug the £20-30 billion gap in the public finances. 

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 sure Jonathan Powell had no role in the case being dropped – but could the PM’s national security adviser walk regardless?  It’s also Polling Tuesday on the podcast – did the party conferences shift the dial on anything with voters? Did the Tories see any traction for their promise to scrap stamp duty?  Plus, why politicians should keep their voice down on the tube