Politics At Jack And Sam's

The Prime Minister suspends four Labour MPs for “persistent breaches of discipline” as the fallout from the welfare reforms continues.  Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy discuss who they are, why now and what was the point, as the government attempts to restore order on the backbenches.   Keir Starmer also welcomes German Chancellor – Friedrich Merz – to London, in the hope of signing a wide-ranging bilateral cooperation treaty.  Plus, the PM's missions reappear on the agenda as he makes a speech at the first Civil Society Summit. 

Now details of the enormous accidental data breach by a British soldier that put thousands of Afghans' lives at risk can be discussed publicly – Sam and Anne try to address some of the biggest questions on this episode. They include: Why did the government break the glass on using a superinjunction? Has anyone been sacked? Why did the Labour government keep the superinjunction in place for so long?  There's still a bit of time to go over Rachel Reeves' Mansion House speech. Did it reassure financiers and investors? 

With the Chancellor set to make a keynote speech to the City at Mansion House - are her fiscal rules as iron clad as we thought?  Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy explore what options are on the table for Rachel Reeves to fill the large black hole in the public finances.  Across the pond, Donald Trump says he “likes” Keir Starmer, even though “he's a liberal” - as he puts pressure on Vladimir Putin to sign a ceasefire agreement.  Plus, the government pushes a new scheme to promote the purchase of electric cars, but it will make a difference? 

The Chancellor is back out on the road to start the government's re-launch week, ahead of the parliamentary recess.  In today's episode, Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy explain how comments on a proposed wealth tax by Rachel Reeves' cabinet colleagues may have already put her in a tricky situation.   Elsewhere, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Windsor Castle will host U.S. President – Donald Trump – for a second unprecedented state visit in September. 

Ex-Conservative chairman and friend of Boris Johnson - Sir Jake Berry – is defecting to Reform UK, causing more problems for Kemi Badenoch.  On today's episode, Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy discuss if his defection will divide parts of Reform policy.  Elsewhere, the Anglo-French summit gets underway, as the Prime Minister hopes to announce a migration deal with the French President to deter small boat crossings.  Plus, chatter around Whitehall that No10 are considering a pre-summer reshuffle, but will it have any value? 

After yesterday's royal welcome from King Charles, President Macron will get down to business today, meeting the Prime Minister for lunch, after PMQs.  But, as Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss on this episode, away from the pomp, Keir Starmer's in-tray doesn't look any less challenging.   It includes a headache for health secretary Wes Streeting as resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, announce a new strike as well as a punchy warning from the OBR on making promises to the public.  Also today. the Welfare Bill returns to the Commons – with reports of another rebellion brewing.  

The first European state visit since Brexit starts today – as President Macron arrives at Windsor Castle.   On this episode, Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy look at what's on the agenda beyond the pomp and ceremony. Will the government get its “one in, one out” migration deal over the line?  Plus, which one of our presenters needs to make a confession about the 2008 French state visit? 

Could Westminster be on for a quieter week?Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy ponder that as the Prime Minister takes stock after the welfare rebellion - with some in the party telling Sam they're just focussing on getting to recess before a September reset.But the issue they can't shake off - will there be tax rises? With the Chancellor's black hole adding up to far more than £5.5bn - is there any other choice, In fact, could that black hole be more like £20bn?And which taxes would they be?

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.   After Chancellor Rachel Reeves was seen visibly sobbing in PMQs, the Prime Minister last night confirmed she would be Chancellor for a long time to come – but will that be enough to calm fears in the markets? And what do we think is really going on with the Chancellor? Sam and Anne discuss.   And what about Keir Starmer's fate – are some in his own party questioning his longevity?  Also, the NHS 10-year plan includes the creation of 200 new neighbourhood health centres as well as improvements to the NHS app – but does it improve the fundamentals?  

The Prime Minister fended off losing a Commons vote on welfare changes but wakes up with a massive repair job to do within his party – and economically.  Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy wonder what the consequences will be after those last-minute concessions to keep Labour MPs on side.   There'll be new ways of balancing the finances (could they be filling a black hole by sending more?) but ALSO a post-mortem of how the government misjudged the mood of its own MPs. 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics. Its judgement day for the government's welfare bill and it's unclear from all sides whether the legislation will pass, despite billions of pounds worth of concessions from the Prime Minister to win over his backbench MPs. The bill could lead to Sir Keir Starmer's largest rebellion so far, exactly one year on from the day that he came into power, leaving questions about his credibility and authority to govern. 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics. The Prime Minister has made significant concessions on the welfare bill after the threat of a mass rebellion from his own MPs. The changes have left Chancellor Rachel Reeves with another black hole in the public finances and some MPs are still planning on voting against the bill when it comes in front of the House of Commons tomorrow. Also, as Sir Keir Starmer celebrates his first full year in power, has this latest U-turn left him in a vulnerable position with his party and the wider public? 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics. In a statement sent to Sam overnight, the government admits that concessions are on their way after an internal struggle over welfare reforms inside the Labour Party. It seems like meaningful talks are under way. Next Tuesday - the day of a supposed crunch vote on disability cuts that could have seen the government lose a vote - could now be just "the start". As Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to row back on savings, how much of the £5bn she wanted to save will she forgo? And why does this government always seem to be U-turning?

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.  Today, Labour is still reeling by a rebellion by 1 in 4 of its MPs over welfare cuts, how can Chancellor Rachel Reeves and PM Keir Starmer recover the numbers and avoid a political humiliation?  The government's working majority is 165, so it only takes 83 Labour MPs to vote with a united opposition and this bill is dead, and along with it a lot of this government's political and moral credibility.  And Sam been sent a draft of part of the latest NHS 10-year plan about alcohol treatment. 

A NATO summit will be held in The Hague today, hours after Donald Trump announced Israel and Iran had agreed to a "complete and total" ceasefire. Meanwhile, on the domestic front, more than 100 Labour MPs have shown their hand and vowed to defeat Sir Keir Starmer's disability cuts.On this episode, Sam and Anne discuss what to expect from the NATO summit where defence spending will be top of the agenda - and while the prime minister tries to justify his sums to NATO leaders, at home the biggest rebellion of his premiership goes public. What options does the government have?

Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Donald Trump about the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table after Tehran's warning of "everlasting consequences" for the US bombing raid on their nuclear sites.On this episode, Sam and Anne discuss the key questions facing the UK government after the military action, including what escalation could look like and whether Britain is ready for the economic blowback.Plus, they also discuss the government's new industrial strategy, with eight industries singled out for support and a promise to help lower energy prices from 2027 for certain companies, though not for others. Sam and Anne discuss how it will be paid for.

On this episode – what advice is Keir Starmer getting over Britain's potential involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict?  There are reports that the Attorney General's legal advice to the PM is to limit what it does to protect its allies from attack - Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy discuss the implications of that.  Plus, we hear David Lammy will get a meeting with his Iranian counterpart as part of a diplomatic push to prevent war. Foreign ministers from Germany and France will join the meeting in Geneva. 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.  They start by picking over what Keir Starmer had to say about the potential for an American attack on Iran – which sounded rather different from the line his German counterpart was taking. So what was going on there then?  Back in Westminster, the details of benefit cuts which will impact millions get published – the government needs to convince dozens of Labour MPs to back the plan.   And HS2 slows down – we'll hear today that the new line will be delayed beyond 2033. 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.  President Donald Trump's made a hasty exit from the G7 conference in Canada leaving questions about collective diplomacy and his promise to bring peace to an increasingly violent Middle East.  The White House insists his return is to deal with "important matters", while Mr Trump himself has hinted his swift exit is for something “big”.  How will Keir Starmer and allies navigate talks following the US president's departure? Progress has been made on car tariffs and aerospace, but where does this leave the rest of the US-UK trade deal?

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics. The prime minister is in Canada at the G7 as conflict escalates in the Middle East. Can Sir Keir Starmer contain any further flare-ups between Donald Trump and other allies and attempt to bring some calm to the region?The prime minister is also set to authorise a national inquiry into grooming gangs, six months after he said people calling for one were "jumping on the bandwagon". It comes after a national inquiry was recommended by Baroness Louise Casey in her 200-page report, which is due to be published today. How will Sir Keir respond to the rapid review?

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics. Rachel Reeves has said this morning that the latest GDP figures showing the UK economy has shrunk by more than expected are "disappointing".How much will this overshadow yesterday's major spending announcement?Reeves has now planted Labour's fiscal flag in the sand - and spending mistakes from here on in certainly cannot be blamed on their predecessors. How will Labour react to a potential internal revolt over disability benefit cuts? And how will the party manage the politics around expected tax rises in the autumn?

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.After weeks of haggling between government ministers, Labour announce today how they plan to apportion cash around departments for the foreseeable future.Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Labour say this comes as the government has "fixed the foundations" and introduced stability to the economy. They say the economy is "turning a corner". But is that totally true? And which sectors are the big winners and losers from this major statement of intent from Labour?

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics. Negotiations for the spending review are complete - with reports Chancellor Rachel Reeves has refused to meet Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's demand for extra police funding.We won't have heard the end of this. Reform UK hold (another!) news conference, and the government announces its intentions to go nuclear - "ushering in a new golden age of nuclear [power]".

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.The Home Office is the last department to finalise their budget with Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of Wednesday's spending review. All eyes are on Yvette Cooper and the noise that comes out of Westminster today and tomorrow that will indicate how much cash the home secretary has secured for things like policing.And, with Nigel Farage due to make a speech today, Sam and Anne catch up on a wild weekend for Reform - at the start of which party chairman Zia Yusuf resigned over a proposed ban on burkas - only for him to reverse his decision and return 48 hours later.

A bunker. A scenario. A group of former senior ministers, military chiefs and other experts. Russia knows our weaknesses – but do you?    Sky News' security and defence editor Deborah Haynes presents The Wargame – a major new five-part series from Sky News and Tortoise, set in the near future.  Launching 10th June.

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics. More details of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' spending squeeze next week are trickling out - including a U-turn on the winter fuel allowance which we now know is happening in the spending review.The political implications of the U-turn, rather than the broader spending review itself, threatens to dominate the political narrative for the next week and more. How much pressure will that pile on Sir Keir Starmer and his chancellor? 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics. The UK steel industry – which was on the verge of collapse just weeks ago – will no longer face the heaviest of Donald Trump's tariffs, the US announced overnight. We're the only country spared the doubling of tariffs on steel imports to the US to 50% – ours instead capped at 25%.This sounds great – until you remember last month's UK-US agreement – when the PM negotiated President Trump's 25% tariff down to zero – a deal that is yet to come into force.What's happened? And how big a win is this for Sir Keir Starmer and for Labour in any case? Is this ensuring the revival of British steel, or merely another stay of execution?

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.Exclusive polling is announced by Sam and Anne, as they reveal cabinet popularity rating according to the public.Also, why is the Home Office is today releasing a weather report for weather that's already been and gone? They say warm weather impacts the number of small boat crossings.Is this the Labour government laying the turf, readying the British public for a balmy summer, and with that, days of record Channel crossings?

 Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.   This time last year, Labour and the Conservatives were in the throes of an era-defining election campaign that would end in Sir Keir Starmer winning an extraordinarily large majority. The Reform Party was little more than a buzzing bee amid the backdrop of the UK political landscape. Spin forward 12 months, and how much things have changed. June 2025 marks the start of a crucial month for Sir Keir's Labour Party, with decisions due across a number of departments that will shape the course of this political era. In the coming weeks, we'll see a security strategy, a 10-year NHS strategy, an industrial strategy, and much more – all tied to next week's spending review. Today, it's the turn of military spending, as Defence Secretary John Healey reveals his 'first of a kind' Strategic Defence Review. But does it live up to the billing? 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.   As Sir Keir Starmer waves goodbye to the Chagos Islands and his planned cuts to the winter fuel allowance, Sam and Anne assess what it all means.   How much “backseat driving” on the winter fuel U-turn has come from former chancellor Gordon Brown? And what's the best way to implement a volte face?  And what do the Gauke reforms, set to be accepted by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, mean for our stretched prison and probation services? 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.   Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves will have their strategy tested today as Deputy PM Angela Rayner sets out her plan for higher taxes, and questions are raised about their approach to Reform. Is becoming Reform-lite the way to go?   And, as the Prime Minister joins global efforts to put pressure on Israel over Gaza, could more sanctions be next?   

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.  It'll be a day when the PM goes again at selling the merits of his EU deal. One former cabinet minister tells the podcast it's all 'concrete and waffle'. Welfare is on the agenda today too - with a DWP committee session on child welfare. And, did someone mention Nick Clegg? The former Deputy PM has used the c-word about the Lib Dems. Sam and Anne discuss coalition after another favorable poll for them - but it's a poll which really isn't good news for the Tories  

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.   It's EU summit day – so what will Keir Starmer agree?  It's been described as an historic summit and will be a reset of relations since Brexit. It's expected that the EU and the UK will sign a security and defense partnership.  But so far nothing is set in stone.  Plus, how sincere are Vladamir Putin's interest in a ceasefire?  

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.   Today, Sir Keir Starmer heads to Albania to announce a crackdown on migrant smuggling gangs in the Balkans whilst internal political unrest continues to brew at home.  Sam and Anne discuss the growing tension inside both the Labour and Conservative parties, and Sam reveals how the first cracks between the chancellor and the PM have started to form. What does this mean for an increasingly under pressure Starmer?  Plus: Tory uncertainty deepens, leaving MPs wondering where Kemi Badenoch leadership is taking them.

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McEvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.   It might be PMQs and there might be a big announcement about moving civil servants out of London but this episode also looks at the day in the backrooms of Westminster.  There's more to nail down ahead of Monday's EU summit – the announcement of a state visit for the Macrons might be a clue on where talks on things like fisheries are at. So what else is going on to prepare for next week?  Plus, what's in this morning's story about NHS reform? 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy preview how the day will play out in British politics.  After Labour's migration plans were announced yesterday, Sam and Anne reflect on the Prime Minister's rhetoric and its populist overtones. But how authentic is it?   Also, the Tories launched their own deportation bill in parliament yesterday. What's in it and is it all a bit of a stunt?  And Sam's reflecting on his interview with Nigel Farage, where he pressed the Reform leader on a loophole in the party's manifesto which could allow an unknown amount of people to come into the country.  

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy preview how the day will play out in British politics.  Today's the day when Keir Starmer finally reveals his big shake-up of migration laws. Sam and Anne discuss the focus on low-skilled workers that'll be big for the social care and university sectors, and how there's a growing concern in government that the benefits of migration are being overstated.  That's how the PM wants to start the week, but his agenda might be overshadowed by international events. The Foreign Secretary will be part of today's efforts to make sure Putin shows up to meet Zelenskyy in Istanbul on Thursday. 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy preview how the day will play out in British politics.Overnight, reports emerged of a UK-US trade announcement being hours away. Sam and Anne discuss the significance of this political win for Sir Keir Starmer "at a time he needs it most".The pair discuss what detail is expected to be in the pact and what it means for the 'special' relationship between the two countries.Plus, the Bank of England is expected to announce a cut in interest rates. Sam and Anne ask whether things are looking up for the prime minister?

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy preview how the day will play out in British politics.  As the fallout continues to grow following the local elections, Keir Starmer faces a challenge to his plan for change from his own MPs – are things going to get worse for Labour, before they get better?   And while Number 10 thought the India trade deal was going to be a good news story for them, Sam and Anne disagree on its value.  

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy preview how the day will play out in British politics. As Westminster gets back to work after last Thursday's election results, is there the least surprising briefing ever to start the week? There's a new crackdown on asylum claims days after Reform's by-election and council victories. We focus on the Labour reaction to those results this morning – from rumours of a reshuffle to shooting down stories about winter fuel changes. What is the best way to face down a very happy Nigel Farage?  

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have a Friday episode to take stock of the by-election, mayoral and local election results so far. Sam's pulled an all-nighter to cover Reform's victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election – it won by just six seats. It won the Greater Lincolnshire mayoralty too.  So it's a morning of questions to ponder – how do bigger parties respond to the Reform victories?Could a Starmer visit to Runcorn have secured the few votes needed for victory there? And is Labour focussing on Reform voters at the expense of people at the other end of the political spectrum? Plus, with lots of councils that were controlled by the Conservatives still to declare, at what point does someone mention Boris Johnson? 

The morning political podcast which gives you all need for the day ahead in 20 minutes, with Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy.  Back on British soil, Anne joins Sam to talk about Trump's 100 days in office and whether the President is really in a tough spot.  And there are reports that the US has decided a UK trade deal is a second or third order priority. Anne and Sam discuss why there has been a slowing down of the trade deal and - if and when it comes - will it be worth the wait?   Also, Sir Tony Blair has made a public intervention on Ed Miliband's green agenda – he says there needs to be a radical reset of “irrational” net-zero policies because they are “doomed to fail”. But why is he doing this?