Politics At Sam and Anne's
Sky News
300 episodes
Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy with what you need to know about the day ahead in British politics. All in under 20 minutes and in your feed around 7.30am.
More about the show
They're across the key interviews, the main stories and what the parties are saying.
Whatever they're talking about, Westminster will be talking about today.
Episodes page 3 of 6
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The King in Washington: Charles’s real job this week
Can King Charles save the UK-U.S. special relationship? As the King touches down in Washington for a state visit, Anne – who was at the White House correspondent’s dinner – describes the moment a security incident…
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Cat amongst the pigeons: Mandarins at war
Will the Prime Minister ever escape the ghost of Peter Mandelson and his decision to appoint the ‘Prince of Darkness’ as the UK’s ambassador to Washington? With fresh committee hearings looming – including an…
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Keir's cabinet: Who's left on the barricades
Has the Prime Minister and No10 weathered the storm on the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal? With the dust only beginning to settle, Sam and Anne dissect the mixed, uncomfortable and carefully worded reactions from…
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Why Olly Robbins isn’t Labour’s only problem
The news agenda may be dominated by Olly Robbins’ highly-anticipated evidence session to MPs on the Mandelson scandal – but is an even more significant story unfolding elsewhere? Cabinet ministers and other senior…
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The problem with Keir’s Mandelson defence
The Prime Minister faces another defining day as he confronts MPs over one question - when did he and No10 learn that Peter Mandelson had failed his security vetting? Keir Starmer has blamed top foreign office…
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Going postal: The election brawl begins
With three weeks to polling day, postal voting is underway in local and devolved elections across the UK - but will the process stay clean and how much could deepfakes distort the campaign? In Scotland, an almighty…
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Trump v Britain: The war of words spirals
Donald Trump unloads another scathing attack on Keir Starmer – throwing out threats and casting doubt on the special relationship once again – raising fresh question about what could happen next. All very awkward as…
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Is Starmer guilty of “corrosive complacency” on defence?
The man who wrote Keir Starmer’s defence review says the Government is putting the UK ‘in peril’ at a time of war. With more pressure to overhaul the defence budget, Sam reveals that talks going on this week to find…
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The rising cost of trouble abroad
What is the Prime Minister’s top priority as he faces down a critical month? He has a busy basket of problems on the domestic and foreign front – all set on the backdrop of a crucial set of elections. In the Middle…
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Why is so much at stake in the May elections?
With one month to go until the local elections in England, Wales and Scotland - is the electoral map about to be redrawn? In his first major test since the general election, Sir Keir Starmer faces a major health check…
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Keir takes charge on Iran contingencies
MPs may be on recess - but as the Iran war enters its fifth week should Whitehall ramp up contingency planning for its impact at home? With the Strait of Hormuz still shut and reports of a potential U.S. ground…
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From Tehran to Teesside: Could Starmer run out of energy?
The Iran conflict may be dominating the headlines, but it’s the unintended consequences back home that are bothering the Prime Minister. With Tehran rejecting Donald Trump’s 15-point peace plan, will the government be…
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The fuel plan ministers don’t want to talk about
How does the government plan for making sure the country has enough fuel without accidentally triggering a change in public behaviour which causes shortages? Sam and Anne discuss that tightrope this morning. Ministers…
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Rachel Reeves takes back control
Does Donald Trump always chicken out or is Keir Starmer in the dark about what is going to happen next in the Middle East? The U.S. President has paused military action in Iran for five days, but pressure remains on…
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The cost of war becomes Reeves’ nightmare
As oil prices climb again – with neither the U.S. nor Iran backing down over the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz – what can the Prime Minister do to ease the economic strain? Later today Keir Starmer will convene…
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Is Reeves next on the Rayner hit list?
After a targeted attack on Shabana Mahmood’s immigration reforms, has Angela Rayner forced another climbdown from the Starmer premiership? Rayner allies are eyeing her return to frontline politics before the May…
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Angela v Shabana: Who will win?
With a full-on pointed and personal attack at the Prime Minister – is Angela Rayner beginning to position herself for something bigger? The former deputy prime minister ramped up the rhetoric – claiming that the…
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Angela cashes in - but at what price?
Global insecurity and transatlantic tensions dominate the agenda for Keir Starmer - but is the UK about to edge closer to the EU? Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver a speech on plans to deepen the ties with the…
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Can Starmer win by defying Trump?
The U.S. President is pilling the pressure on the UK to back his war in Iran – but how long can Keir Starmer hold his nerve? Barrels of oil remain above $100, and the Straits of Hormuz remain shut - all as Donald…
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The three things keeping Keir Starmer in his job
The release of the Mandelson files, war in the Middle East and a fresh cost-of-living crisis are all causing turmoil for the Prime Minister – but strangely, are they also doing him a favour? The fallout from the first…
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What Starmer doesn’t want to see in the Mandelson files
The first wave of files relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador get released today. Not only will we see emails, WhatsApps and minutes about the due diligence, any comments about the US president…
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Military chiefs vs the PM
The government, like the rest of us, is trying to work out where it stands this morning after Donald Trump swung from hitting Iran ‘twenty times harder’ to ending the war ‘very soon’. If Trump’s got things to boiling…
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Oil spikes: How high is the price of war?
As Iran names its new supreme leader oil prices skyrocket, sending shockwaves across the global economy – but how will the UK government deal with the issue? President Trump claims the surge is a “small price to pay”…
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The hole in Starmer’s story on Iran
As the war in the Middle East enters its sixth day, questions remain over the Prime Minister’s stance – but did a cabinet revolt shape the UK’s response? Reports suggest Keir Starmer was in favour of granting the US…
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UK prepares for war lasting months
“This is not Winston Churchill we are dealing with here” - the words of Donald Trump as he attacks Keir Starmer over the UK’s approach to the Iran war - but does this mark a new low for the transatlantic relationship?…
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Spring forecast: Decoding Reeves’ boasts
The Chancellor has been on her feet in the Commons – the backdrop? The momentous conflict unfolding in the Middle East - so was it a “non-event” that dated almost immediately? Or did the Spring forecast give us clues…
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Starmer and Trump trade blows on Iran
Its Spring Forecast day but as the war continues across the Middle East – is the special relationship now under threat? Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and U.S. President, Donald Trump, trade blows on the legality of…
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Why Starmer bowed to Trump on Iran
After a weekend of destabilisation and tension across the Middle East, the UK allows the U.S. to use its military bases for attacks in Iran – but what challenges do the government face? The U.S. President says he will…
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Labour’s disaster: The blame game begins
The plumber come politician – Hannah Spencer – claims a seismic and historic win for the Greens at the Gorton and Denton by-election but, where does this leave the Keir Starmer project? Sam and Anne examine what this…
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Has the government sealed the fate of the assisted dying bill?
After months of heated and passionate debate across the country and in the Houses of Parliament, is the assisted dying bill about to fall? Sam exclusively reveals that the government will not give additional time for…
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Can Starmer conquer Burnham's kingdom?
With under 24 hours to go until the polls open in Gorton and Denton, is this by-election the biggest test facing Sir Keir Starmer’s government? Sam has been in the Manchester suburb - hearing from the political big…
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Can Starmer shake off Mandelson’s ghost?
Peter Mandelson is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, a seismic moment in British politics - but will the pain of Epstein files continue to haunt Keir Starmer’s government over the coming days, weeks…
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Make or break: The SEND reforms Keir Starmer must win
A royal arrest and a new cabinet secretary welcome the Prime Minister back from recess week but with a crucial by-election and significant white paper on special educational needs, can the government get things back on…
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Keir’s succession: The field widens
In a special recess week edition of Politics at Sam and Anne, the pair look at who could replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. Anne – who's in Munich – tells Sam how the Europeans view the Starmer government and if…
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Revealed: Starmer’s three near-death moments
As the parliamentary recess approaches, questions are still being asked about the PM’s judgement – but will the break give him a chance for yet another reset? After a further week of jeopardy for the Starmer…
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What did Starmer promise to buy loyalty?
Like MPs, Sam and Anne are staggering through until recess. It’s only Wednesday but they have the latest on Labour psychodramas. Today – who was it calling Anas Sarwar before his presser on Monday? The new suggestion…
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Has Streeting painted a target on his back?
After a helter-skelter 24 hours - with calls for the PM to quit and another senior resignation from the heart of No10 – has Keir Starmer done enough to convince his party he is the man for the future, or has he simply…
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Can Starmer live without Morgan McSweeney?
The Prime Minister starts the week without his right-hand man – Morgan McSweeney – following his resignation over the appointment of Peter Mandelson but, has that secured Keir Starmer’s survival? Sam and Anne mop up…
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Starmer: Is there a future?
As the political drama over Peter Mandelson spills into the Commons - with another climbdown and a damaging revelation – it raises the bigger question: How secure is the Keir Starmer premiership? With some MPs calling…
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Can Starmer keep Mandelson vetting secret?
Another day and another podcast dominated by Peter Mandelson – but as the political pressure ramps up across parliament, how will No10 react and is the carnage over? In a frantic 24 hours, Lord Mandelson gave up his…
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Is Mandelson already plotting his next comeback?
Peter Mandelson is still the main topic for discussion on the podcast again – as Anne reports back from an event with the US ambassador to London. Sam and Anne both pick over Mandelson’s interview with the Times –…
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Mandelson fall: A body blow for McSweeney?
As another large dossier of Epstein files comes into the public domain – Lord Peter Mandelson resigns his membership to the Labour party, claiming he “doesn’t want to cause further embarrassment” – but is that the end…
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President Xi vs the Tories
Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets China’s President Xi calling for a “more sophisticated relationship” - but can both nations achieve that amidst global uncertainty? Sam and Anne dive into the details, looking at who…
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Can 'never here Keir' bring back the goods from China?
As Keir Starmer touches down in Beijing – does the UK face a choice between a “golden age” or an “ice age” with its relationship with China? Sam and Anne assess: • Will the Prime Minister have to pick a side between…
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Starmer in China: Will he trigger Trump?
As the Prime Minister prepares to fly off to China he leaves behind plenty of problems at home – including a snap by-election in Manchester – but what will he do about it? Sam is on his way to the North West to see if…
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Can Starmer withstand the Burnham backlash?
After a weekend of will he or won’t he – Labour’s National Executive Committee decided to block Andy Burnham from standing in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by election – but has this move just ignited a massive…
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Trump climbdown: Has January been a wasted month
After President Trump’s dramatic tariff climbdown at Davos, the Prime Minister and European leaders will be breathing a sigh of relief – but has it left more questions than answers and can the UK claim any credit for…
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Farage lobbies Team Trump in Davos
Donald Trump finally descends on Davos despite a delayed flight – and is set to dominate the day at the annual get-together of the global elite. Sam and Anne reflect on his mega press conference prior to his departure…
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Trump unleashes Chagos Bazooka on Keir
Sam and Anne started this episode wonder if Starmer and Trump relations were showing signs of being back on track. And as they were recording – the latest Trump Truth Social post calls the UK Chagos Islands deal “an…
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Why Starmer is saying Trump is wrong
After a weekend tariff assault by President Trump on the UK and Europe – triggered by the fallout from the U.S. ambition to buy Greenland – the Prime Minister rips up the agenda to hold an emergency news conference in…
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