Politics At Sam and Anne's

“Weak”, the words of President Trump to describe European leaders, but how will it go down here in the UK and across the continent?Anne is in Brussels mopping up reaction from the “decaying" group of nations to that explosive interview from the President as re-connection talks between the UK and EU continues.Elsewhere, Sam speaks to Kemi Badenoch about what success looks like for the Conservatives at the next set of local election – clue it may not be winning.Plus, has the ghost of Andy Burnham returned to haunt Keir Starmer with a leadership challenge? 

As Europe scrambles to respond to Donald Trump’s latest posturing on peace in Ukraine - with the head of the Royal Navy warning about Russia’s threat in the North Atlantic - how will Keir Starmer respond as he plots a course between the US and Europe?Angela Rayner returns to the Commons with a loyal-but-lively defence of her watered-down Employment Rights Bill, but will Labour’s leadership jitters overshadow some rare good news for Rachel Reeves?Plus, the government rolls out its Union Jack-branded Great British Railways reboot.

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 Downing Street Starmer hosts a high stake gathering with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz, as Donald Trump publicly pressures Ukraine to accept his peace terms. Sam and Anne look at what could be unfolding behind closed doors.Plus, in Clacton, Nigel Farage has been reported to police over his electoral expenditure. Reform UK denies the claims.

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 machine grinding to a halt? 

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 Farage, in essence admitting that he can’t sweep to power alone. Away from party politics – Anne has the latest on the seemingly never-ending talks to stop the fighting in Ukraine. 

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 Labour as the budget dust starts to settle?Anne has some intel on the race to replace Lord Mandelson as the UK’s Ambassador to the United States.Plus, a listener asks why the PM didn’t dress properly for the Guildhall last night. 

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 over defence?Plus, the spotlight is on the head of the Office for Budget Responsibility as the investigation into the budget leak is given to the treasury. 

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 practicalities of some of the new taxes and how they will be collected and monitored. Away from Westminster, Anne has an update on Ukraine and the push for a peace deal. 

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't she say? Sam and Anne break down the budget and talk about:• The smorgasbord of tax rises - taking it to an all-time high • Britain's economic outlook and downgrading of growth • The opposition's response to "the worst chancellor in history"• A potential rebellion from her own MPs

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 they’re worth every penny – but, ultimately, it’s a tax raising budget that will hit everyone somehow. There are two episodes for budget day - Debrief on what’s happened in the budget without episode out around 6.30pm on Wednesday. 

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. 

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 report into the UK’s decision making and governance during the Covid pandemic.

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 alleviate some of the pressure on her. Elsewhere, the Westminster village braces itself for the political report into the UK’s decision making and governance during the Covid pandemic. Plus, how significant is it that the government has named China in the latest attack on the British political system to recruit potential spies? 

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?