Politics At Jack And Sam's

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 

As Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners are exchanged on one of the most significant days for peace in the Middle East – what role did Britain play in the peace plan?  With the Prime Minister in Egypt for the summit of peace – Sam and Anne assess if Keir Starmer can take any credit or whether he is there for the photo opportunity after criticism from international allies.   Back in Westminster, the duo unpick the background to the China spy row as an angry shouting match erupts across SW1. 

It's day two of the prime minister's trip to India - but has there been any progress towards an enhanced trade deal for the jumbo business delegation?Sam has the latest update from Mumbai – as he travels with Keir Starmer – after speaking to senior figures on the trip.   The transcontinental duo also caught up with YouGov pollster Patrick English – to ask what state the parties are in with the voters as conference season concludes. 

Sam and Anne break down Kemi Badenoch's speech to the Conservative party conference in Manchester.  The duo consider:  Did she do enough to dampen the threat of a leadership challenge? Will her big headline announcement – to abolish stamp duty – cut through with the voters? Why did she attack some political opponents but not others?  Plus, Sam and Anne briefly reflect on the conference season before MPs return to Westminster next week. 

Sam and Anne join forces 4,600 miles apart as the Prime Minister takes a jumbo trade and business delegation to India.  In Mumbai, the PM is given a warm welcome – with banners and posters lining the streets – but will the trip help or hinder the existing trade deal between the nations and business?  Back in Manchester, Anne has the latest from the Conservative conference as Kemi Badenoch prepares to make her speech to party members.  Elsewhere, the tit for tat trade war between the European Union and the United States could leave British Steel in a perilous position.  Later today, Sam and Anne will debrief Kemi Badenoch's speech to the Conservative party conference. 

Sam and Anne have done the late-night Conservative conference parties and have news from those – as well as the day ahead.   It's ‘law and order' day in Manchester - Robert Jenrick will unveil plans to abolish the sentencing council to end what some Tories call “two-tier justice system.”  But Jenrick is at the centre of another story – calling the Handsworth area of Birmingham one of the “worst integrated places” he'd ever seen.Sam and Anne discuss if he'll mind having those comments out there.  And, on the second anniversary of October 7th, the Prime Minister warns people to not take part in protests, calling them “un-British.” 

Sam and Anne manage about three points from the “10 things you didn't know about Mel Stride” briefing before getting onto the substance of the day.  (Licenced pilot and unpublished novel, by the way)  It is the shadow chancellor's big day at Conservative conference in Manchester – where he'll identify billions of pounds of budget cuts – is there a distinct policy difference between ‘Melonomics' and Reform UK?  And, away from Manchester, should China be considered a friend or enemy of Britain after spy charges were dropped? 

The Conservative party conference week starts with Sam's story about another Reform defection.Mark Gallagher donated to Kemi Badenoch's leadership campaign, but the Tories claim he was never "really true blue".Also on this preview episode - the active operation to "get" Ms Badenoch in Manchester, as the leader confirms the Conservatives would take the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if they got back into power.We'll have an extra episode on Wednesday to review Kemi Badenoch's closing speech to the conference. 

48 hours before the Conservatives arrive in Manchester (and some are joking that they hope the party enjoys its last conference), Anne's got an interview with Kemi Badenoch.  The Tory leader tells members to “hold their nerve” with her – and comes out swinging about recent defections to Reform. But was it wise to liken the party to a “distressed asset”?  Elsewhere, Sam's got more on the digital ID cards plan – with support apparently slipping in cabinet and in the country.  Is AI having a role in changing some people's minds about the controversial policy? 

The Prime Minister's speech may have settled nerves amongst his party, but has he opened a can of worms by attacking Reform?  Sam and Anne assess the mood of Nigel Farage and some within Starmer's inner circle - who arguably seem a bit displeased.  Plus, as conference wraps up, focus turns quickly to the deputy leadership race and things are already hotting up between Lucy Powell and Bridget Phillipson. 

This is what Sam and Anne made of Keir Starmer's speech to the Labour conference in Liverpool. It was an hour that was often pitched at Middle England voters tempted by Reform – but also seemed to go down well with Labour's soft left. The PM doubled down on his stance that some of Nigel Farage's policies are racist. How will all that go down outside the conference bubble? In the Politico pub, Sam and Anne also debrief on what the PM was saying about working people – which, they reckon, is sounding a bit Bridget Phillipson. Sam and Anne will debrief Kemi Badenoch's Conservative speech next Wednesday afternoon. 

It's speech day for the Prime Minister but will it do the job, and can he convince conference he is the man to fix Britain?  Sam and Anne look ahead to Sir Keir Starmer's critical address and his argument of a choice between renewal or decline.  The pair also reflect on the Chancellor's speech and her strongest indication yet that tax rises could be on the horizon for the November budget.  And away from Liverpool, Donald Trump has announced a 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza – which includes the involvement of former Labour Prime Minister, Sir Tony Blair.  The duo will also debrief the Starmer speech in an extra episode late on Tuesday afternoon. 

Rachel Reeves gets her moment in Liverpool, but Sam and Anne explain why the podium at Labour conference might be the second biggest thing of her week.  By Friday, the OBR will have put a number on the size of the black hole – the money she's got to find to fund policy u-turns on policies such as winter fuel.  You're not getting that number from anyone from government in Liverpool though.   Elsewhere, Andy Burnham is still in lots of the conversations – and we hear what members of the Cabinet are getting about him in their WhatsApps.

Sam and Anne have their Labour conference curtain-raiser - and wonder if Andy Burnham has gone a little bit into the rearview mirror as delegates turn up on the banks of the Mersey?There are already conference titbits to share - it sounds like Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall will get the job of implementing digital ID cards, fresh after overseeing welfare reform. And Yvette Cooper's new Foreign Office team are apparently clamping down on the use of official government planes. Sam and Anne will have their usual morning episodes from conference - plus they will be in your feed on Tuesday afternoon to debrief Sir Keir Starmer's speech. 

Is Labour's king of the north about to challenge the Prime Minister in Westminster?  After an explosive interview – the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, says MPs are urging him to challenge Keir Starmer.  The duo consider: What vision Mr Burnham has for the country? Can the PM match him and how could he respond? How much will it impact political and policy narrative ahead of Labour's party conference in Liverpool next week?

Are we all in danger of missing the biggest story of the day? Sam ponders that as he links up with Anne to go over Westminster's day.  One of the country's biggest car producers is shut because of a cyber-attack. The problems at Jaguar Land Rover have been going on for weeks – we discuss why this might be more of a political story than it seems.  Elsewhere, the Tories continue to pile the pressure on the PM's chief of staff - Morgan McSweeney - over leaked lawyer advice and a £700,000 “admin error.”  In response a Downing Street source said "everything was declared properly in relation to the leadership election".  

Why was Ed Davey using so much of his Lib Dem conference speech to talk about Nigel Farage?And was threatening ‘Trump's America' becoming ‘Farage's Britain' a good way to get attention – especially with a claim that a Reform government could involve rolling back gun laws. Sam and Anne's conference debrief go over what was in his Bournemouth speech (criticisms of the BBC) and what wasn't (much on the economy). 

What can Sir Ed Davey achieve in 55 minutes? That's how long his speech to Lib Dem conference delegates is coming in at.   Sam, who's at the conference in Bournemouth, and Anne consider the behind-the-scenes tussles and where the Liberal Democrats are trying to position themselves ahead of the next set of elections.  Away from conference, the OECD will release its latest economic outlook, but will it be a good or bad result for Rachel Reeves?  Plus, we have our weekly look at the state of the parties in our voting intentions poll.  Sam and Anne will debrief Ed Davey's speech in an extra episode late on Tuesday afternoon. 

Reform UK announce that they would scrap indefinite leave to remain within 100 days of government but what impact will this have?  Sam and Anne discuss the practicalities of the policy and whether Nigel Farage is trying to force the hand of other parties on immigration policy. Elsewhere, the UK follows other nations in formally recognising a Palestinian state, to the dismay of the Israeli Prime Minister. Anne has some intel on the whereabouts of Peter Mandelson and whether he got an invite to the state visit last week.Plus, Gatwick's second runway gets the green light. 

After yesterday's pomp and pageantry at Windsor, today the U.S. President gets down to business, meeting with Prime Minister - Keir Starmer - at Chequers.  Sam and Anne look at what's on the agenda and what the leaders might be forced to talk about, ranging from the recognition of a Palestinian state to their nation's associations with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.  Away from the state visit, Sam also has some intel on government exercises and more on the dynamics between the PM and his chief of staff. 

Donald Trump is here and his day is all about time with the King before dinner at Windsor Castle this evening. Away from the carriages and flypasts (and without any mention of Jeffrey Epstein) - there's other business for Sam and Anne.Sam picks up that Keir Starmer did consider effectively demoting Morgan McSweeney. On that, we're back on the softened rules to remove a Labour PM with your messages on it. Also - has the government failed to get to grips with the law which underpins its ‘one in, one out' scheme? 

Are some Labour skeletons about to come crashing out of the closet?  Keir Starmer needs state visit week to go perfectly but it's already had a rocky start with the resignation of one of his most trusted aides.Paul Ovenden quit after ‘inappropriate' messages he sent about Diane Abbott in 2017 resurfaced.  Sam and Anne ponder if there are more messages which are about to cause trouble for other senior Labour staffers.  Also - the first ‘one in, one out' migrant flights were cancelled after legal challenges.And the week hasn't started brightly for the Tories either – as they lose one of their biggest thinkers, Danny Kruger, to Reform. 

With less than 48 hours until U.S. President touches down on UK soil, preparations are ramping up to roll out the red carpet for Donald Trump. The duo look at what deals are on and maybe off the agenda for Keir Starmer and if the unprecedented second state visit can distract from the Prime Minister's gloom at home.  Sam and Anne also discuss the mood around No10, the Labour party and MPs after two high profile dismissals within weeks of the PM's ‘phase two' of government. 

The future of Lord Peter Mandelson – the UK's ambassador to the US - hangs in the balance as more allegations emerge surrounding his communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. With pressure mounting and an imminent state visit from US President Donald Trump, will the prime minister still back him?

Private concerns around the public finance black hole in Whitehall dominates the chatter, as the Chancellor aims to plug the £20-£40 billion gap ahead of the budget.  Sam and Anne discuss the situation and ask: What's the tone on the issue? What happened in Keir Starmer's first new-look cabinet meeting? What influence is the new environment secretary having? Elsewhere, the Prime Minister welcomes the Israeli President to Downing Street as tensions escalate in the Middle East, and we check in on the state of the Labour deputy leadership race. 

With 48 hours until nominations close – the race to become the new deputy leader of the Labour party is well underway.  Sam and Anne discuss who are the runners and riders in the contest and where they will get their support from.  Away from party politics, Kemi Badenoch makes an offer to work with the government to cut the controversial Welfare bill.  Plus, the duo look at who's coming out on top in the polls. 

After the Prime Minister's reshuffle across the weekend, the new look government get to work on phase 2 of the Starmer project.  Sam and Anne discuss if a switch between Shabana Mahmood and Yvette Cooper - at the Home Office and the Foreign Office - will actually make a difference? Elsewhere, the NEC are expected to announce a timetable for the Labour party deputy leadership race, and the Assisted Dying Bill makes its first appearance in the House of Lords. 

Sam and Anne had this down as the first of our conference specials – as Nigel Farage delivered his speech to Reform delegates in Birmingham.  They're still debriefing on that on this episode but they can't ignore one of the most significant days of Keir Starmer's premiership so far and one of the biggest cabinet reshuffles in years.   Angela Rayner has gone. The cabinet has been overhauled with David Lammy now Deputy PM and Shabana Mahmood becoming Home Secretary.And, as you'd expect, Reform are using the Rayner saga to try to make capital – but was Farage polished enough in Birmingham? 

The government minister responsible for housing didn't pay enough tax on her house. Sam and Anne let Angela Rayner's admission sink in on this episode – aa they wonder how much government business is on hold as a result.  The independent ethics adviser Laurie Magnus' view on how she took inaccurate legal advice could be public within days – presumably that means the cabinet reshuffle has to wait until the Deputy Prime Minister knows her fate.Never mind what else it might mean for the early days of Keir Starmer's “phase two”.   But, whatever the outcome, is it safer for Starmer to keep Angela Rayner in a job? 

 The date for the budget will be confirmed today – so Sam and Anne look at the options for Rachel Reeves' diary with a backdrop of more market jitters.  They also go over the ways she could plug the hole in the public finances – estimated to be between £20-£50 billion –while still meeting her fiscal rules.  But why isn't the government saying more about the tricky decisions ahead?  There are more scraps from Monday's government reshuffle – with a name of someone who apparently turned down a role.  As well as from the first PMQs after summer, Keir Starmer will meet with the leader of Spain, Pedro Sanches, at Downing Street and new Green leader Zack Polanski gets to work. 

After the Prime Minister's mini reshuffle of backroom staff at Number 10 yesterday, will the optics behind the scenes work?  Sam and Anne discuss why the appointment of Darren Jones is significant to Phase 2 of the Starmer project – but will it there be trouble down the tracks?  Elsewhere, following a series of announcements on asylum and immigration policy, has the Home Secretary wrestled back the narrative on the issue? 

As MPs return to Westminster for a packed autumn term, will the Prime Minister be back with a bang?  Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy discuss what are Keir Starmer's priorities as the so called “reset week” begins.  There's chatter around No10 of a staffing restructure but could this impact the government's message and delivery of their missions?  Back in the Commons, the Home Secretary will lay out the government's plans to restrict family members from joining asylum seekers.   

With MPs returning to parliament in a few days, Sam and Anne look ahead to a packed autumn schedule.In the last episode of the Summer Box Set, both spill the beans on the latest news and gossip around Westminster, Whitehall and beyond.They'll mark the important dates in the calendar, break down the fortunes of the key players, and explain which areas could cause trouble for the government.Normal service resumes on the podcast on 1 September.

More than 50,000 migrants have arrived on small boats across the English Channel since Labour came to power, but will Keir Starmer's plan to smash the gangs and the ‘one in, one out' scheme solve the issue?    In this episode, Sam and Anne are joined by Danny Shaw, a former journalist and adviser to Yvette Cooper, to discuss the Home Office's biggest priorities.  They discuss:   If more needs to be done to stop migrants crossing the Channel.   What policing reform could look like.   Whether there is a plan to lower violence against women and girls.   Sam and Anne's weekday morning episodes return on 1st September. 

Education, education, education' was how Tony Blair set out New Labour's priorities in the early noughties. A quarter of a century on, what story is Keir Starmer trying to tell about schools under his premiership?In this episode, Sam and Anne are joined by Laura McInerney, a former teacher and co-founder of Teacher Tapp, to break down the government's plan for education as we head into a new school year. They ask:•  What will be included in the education white paper?•  Can there be further devolution within the education system?•  Will Bridget Phillipson remain as the education secretary? Sam and Anne are getting a lie-in over summer recess, but they'll be in your feed with special episodes every Monday before normal services resumes on 1 September.