Politics At Sam and Anne's

The ‘Burnham Bounce’ is extending Labour’s lead in the polls – so are the Conservatives anywhere near ready to challenge? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack the latest polling numbers and what they mean for Kemi Badenoch as the party struggle to define its offer on the economy, triple lock and social care. Back in London, Chancellor - John Healey - meets Britain’s biggest banks ahead of the Budget, amid growing speculation over tax rises and a key intervention from a former chief of staff to Rachel Reeves. Plus, as the United States pull out their bombers from RAF Fairford, just how serious is the threat?

Is Andy Burnham an easier opponent for the Conservatives than Keir Starmer? At Tory conference in Birmingham, Kemi Badenoch’s team sniff a chance to attack the Prime Minister – with a particular chance to seize and attack his economic argument. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy pore over Badenoch’s ‘The Right Way’ pamphlet and how she plans to take the fight to Reform in the north and the Liberal Democrats in the southeast. Elsewhere, Anne has been speaking Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary – Helen Whately – who has a couple of blunt messages for Andy Burnham. Plus, are the Conservatives truly over Robert Jencrick after his defection to Reform?

As Labour attempt to reshape the political debate, can the Conservatives seize back the headlines? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy are on the conference floor in Birmingham, asking whether Kemi Badenoch can carve out a distinct Tory agenda – or whether the party is still playing catch-up. From the pension triple lock to European Union membership, how can the Conservatives wrestle the narrative away from Andy Burnham? And does Kemi Badenoch have to become the Queen of Mean to do so?

Labour conference is over and the opposition parties are already on the attack – despite a ringing endorsement from Oasis’ Liam Gallagher. As the Conservatives head to Birmingham, Kemi Badenoch has branded the Prime Minister’s plans as “Corbynism with better packaging.” Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy ask whether the Tories are embracing a more aggressive style of politics – in stark contrast to Burnham’s call for a more consensual approach. Elsewhere, Europe is back at the centre of the debate, but what are they realistic options on the table? Plus, is the PM starting to wind up MPs outside mayoral regions with his targeted plans?

A lot has been said about the prime minister’s first speech as leader to the Labour party conference. But what didn’t Andy Burnham say? Have the public understood the new PM’s big policy offer? And why was there nothing substantial on welfare reform? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the headline polling on the Burnham speech – wondering if the public back his triple lock ‘adjustment’ to fix social care and whether the numbers add up. The duo also focus on why the prime minister has turned to reddit to get his message over – in a bid to beat the AI algorithm. Remember you can catch up on the latest de-brief edition of Andy Burnham’s speech here.

An hour-long emotional address promising to “break the mould” of British politics – but will Britain buy Andy Burnham’s vision? In a special de-brief episode from Liverpool, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack the big pledges – from challenging the triple lock, creating a national care service to electoral reform and a new relationship with the EU. Has Burnham already set his sights on his political opponents – and begun the long campaign for the next general election? Have the targets for the opposition parties already been placed and has the PM already started his campaign for the next general election? With no personal mandate and little money to spend, can the PM use his political goodwill to take people with him?

It’s the new prime minister’s big day in Liverpool – but will he explain what Labour conference slogan “hope again” actually means? After a series of major speeches with little substance so far from his cabinet colleagues, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy wonder whether Andy Burnham is saving all the juicy details for himself. Could there be some policy surprises – with the pensions triple lock seemingly on the table? And with Reform inching back ahead in the latest polling, the duo ask who Labour views as its main opponent heading into the next election: Reform or the Conservatives? Plus, Sam has a scoop on the PM’s latest plans to bring back drinking at the footie. Remember, Politics at Sam and Anne’s will be back later with a special de-brief edition on the Burnham speech.

Labour conference enters day two under the shadow of a suspected terror plot at RAF Fairford and whether the Iranians were involved. As Donald Trump offers his account, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the conflicting version of events, the emerging security concerns around the Gloucestershire airbase and the political reaction. Meanwhile in Liverpool, the chancellor takes centre stage but why is he keeping a low profile? Sam and Anne discuss the building economic tensions between No10 and the Treasury on the approach to the economy, investment and fiscal rules. Plus, with John Healey’s headroom getting squeezed further, how much appetite is there within Labour for another big tax-raising budget?

A conference of pure vibes? Or is there some substance behind the Andy Burnham’s slogan of “hope”? And how will that go down with his party? As the Labour party conference kicks off in Liverpool, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy have a special Sunday look ahead to a critical week for Andy Burnham’s premiership... and they’ve got their hands on some of the Burnham merch that's already selling out. So can the PM use the political capital to his advantage, or will he risk a backlash further down the line on his plan to tackle social care reforms?

Is the Burnham bounce starting to show? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy dig into a mega poll – projecting Labour as the largest party at the next general election – but still 85 seats short of a Commons majority. What do these numbers mean for Andy Burnham, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage? And how could a split on the right of British politics help Labour keep the keys to No10? Plus, has Tony Blair’s call to rejoin the EU made things awkward for Andy Burnham ahead of Labour conference in Liverpool?

Is Britain about to re-engage with the world in a more meaningful way than any time in the past decade? After a frantic 24 hours in New York, Andy Burnham declared to the UN: “Britain is back.” But what does that mean in practice? And after a rebuke over rhetoric on Russia from Donald Trump, is the new PM taking a different stance to Moscow from his predecessor? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack the PM’s message on Ukraine, the US and the future of AI – and ask whether these themes will shape his first Labour conference speech as Prime Minister.

How on edge will Andy Burnham feel as he prepares to meet Donald Trump? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy assess the risks as the two met get together for the first time – where could the US President take umbrage? Also – why has Andy Burnham agreed to help Saudi Arabia with “defensive military support” against the Houthis? Sam’s been speaking to Liberal Democrat leader – Sir Ed Davey – as their conference wraps up in Brighton but why has AI, technology and social care become a major theme? And, why are Lib Dem candidates being told to ditch the suits for quarter zip tops?

Can the Liberal Democrats withstand the political turbulence around them? As delegates gather in Brighton for their party conference, Sam Coates gauges the pressure on Sir Ed Davey’s party as it faces a squeeze from the Greens and the Andy Burnham bounce. Elsewhere, the Prime Minister prepares to go to New York for the UN General Assembly, the duo look ahead to his first meeting with Donald Trump – can they find any common ground? Plus, Anne McElvoy - who's in Germany - reports on a disastrous set of regional elections for Friedrich Merz – but is he in a similar position to Keir Starmer post elections in May 2026?

What happens when the keys to No10 are handed back? Anne reports from a gathering of former Prime Minister’s - Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer - and reveals what life after power really looks like. Meanwhile, after some football diplomacy with Canadian PM – Mark Carney – could it offer a chance for Andy Burnham to unlock closer ties with the EU or has the reset hit another roadblock?

Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at how political communication has changed – from Keir Starmer’s government paying influencers to promote its message, to Andy Burnham putting himself front and centre of the social media operation. Sam has a scoop on how much it all costs. Elsewhere, former No10 chief of staff – Morgan McSweeney – has been speaking about his time in No10 and how he tried to launch a thinktank in Downing Street to develop policy. Plus, with energy bills forecasted to rocked up near £450 in January, how worried are the government and what can they do to help families?

As the TUC Congress continues in Brighton, some of Labour’s big beasts have been baring their teeth – with Angela Rayner using an after-dinner speech to land some blows on defence secretary Wes Streeting. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy reveal what was said and whether it was all taken in good fun.... Meanwhile, the economic picture looks bleak as John Healey prepares for his first budget. Sam has a scoop on how one economic forecast could make or break his spending plans. And Reform remains ‘100% confident’ two of the biggest donations in British political history were legal. But will that position shift as ministers face growing questions over how a proposed retrospective change in the law would work in practice?

Will a record breaking £72 million change the face of British politics? After receiving two of the biggest political donations in history - £36 million each from crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harbone. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the political fallout - are the donations legal, will the government legislate to stop them and how does this vast sum of money influence British politics? Elsewhere at the TUC conference in Brighton, the unions are ramping up the pressure on the government to deliver more for workers. Plus, could former Prime Minister – Liz Truss – really be plotting a return to frontline politics?

Having spent the summer trying to ease the cost of living, is a new tourist tax about to hit domestic holiday makers in the pocket? The government is giving mayors additional powers to introduce a levy on hotel stays, with no cap on how much they can charge. With the tourism industry already angry, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the move and why the timing maybe a little uncomfortable for the government. Elsewhere, Sky News has uncovered more turmoil in Reform-run local councils. With the Metropolitan Police also widening their investigation into allegations of illegal foreign donations, how much trouble is Reform and leader Nigel Farage really in? Plus, the Assisted Dying Bill returns to parliament tomorrow – can it clear its first major hurdle for a second time? And Anne assesses the international fallout from the UK’s action over Israel. You can watch Cathy Newman’s full investigation into Durham's Reform-led Council here .

There’s fallout to the UK’s move to announce sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Israel is closing the UK’s consulate in Jerusalem and considering other measures. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at the reaction and wonder if the new PM should also be giving attention to other matters overseas. Elsewhere, Sam’s got a story about a big government growth initiative which, so far, hasn’t done much. And, is the bleak economic picture making John Healey’s budget harder by the day?

Britain is about to take its toughest stance yet against Israel – but will it make a difference, or will it leave the UK isolated on the international stage? Andy Burnham and Ed Miliband will unveil a package of sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank, putting Britain at the forefront of the G7’s effort to pressure Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine what the move means in practice - and why the government has chosen to act now. But with tensions rising, will the move impact the UK’s relationship with the United States and Israel? Plus, after a turbulent conference, have Reform UK seen a bounce in the polls and could it give an early indication for the direction of travel for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election?