Politics At Jack And Sam's

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?

Can the chancellor deliver growth without breaking his own self-imposed fiscal rules?John Healey will set out his vision for the economy this morning, but with pressure mounting on the public finances, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy ask whether he is preparing to flex the rules to make it happen.Amidst an increasingly turbulent economic backdrop, the duo examine the warning lights beginning to flash – from the rising cost of borrowing to the instability of mortgage rates – and what it could mean for households and the government's room for manoeuvrePlus, as the AfD romp to victory in the German state election, Anne gives her take on where it all goes next.

A launchpad for power – or a warning of problems to come for Reform UK?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy debrief Reform UK's biggest ever party conference and ask if the past few days have marked a turning point in Nigel Farage's political career. The duo examine the fallout from the Channel 4 investigation involving two of Farage's closest aides - and whether it raises fresh questions about the party's readiness for power.Behind the headlines, Sam and Anne also discuss the increasingly visible battle between Robert Jenrick and Zia Yusuf for the soul of Reform.Has Reform already peaked in its quest for power – or is Nigel Farage still on course to occupy No10?Reform's Robert Jenrick spoke to Sky News about the Channel 4 claims on Saturday.

As Reform UK kick off conference season in Birmingham, Nigel Farage appears to have some work to do.The party has gone from dominating the political conversation to facing a fall in polling numbers, mounting scandals and fresh questions over Farage's leadership.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy preview a crucial three days for Reform, with major announcements expected on migration and the economy – while a French connection could be significant.Elsewhere, the Conservatives are ramping up the pressure on Andy Burnham over defence spending, unveiling their own plan on how they would cut welfare to fund more money for the military.Plus, ahead of Sunday's state elections in Germany, Anne reports from the campaign trail on the rise of the far-right AfD party and her dramatic encounter at a rally in Lützen.Sam and Anne will return on Sunday afternoon for a special de-brief episode to reflect on the Reform party conference.

As Andy Burnham prepares for his first Prime Minister's Questions, he faces a gathering economic storm.With markets driving up government borrowing costs and the prospect of another interest rate rise, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine what the turmoil could mean for mortgage holders, public spending and the government plans going forward.Could the chancellor be left with almost no room for manoeuvre ahead of October's budget?The duo also look ahead to the looming Holborn and St Pancras by-election and whether the Green Party leader – Zac Polanski – will consider standing?Plus, as Emmanuel Macron arrives in Britain, why are the French taking such a keen interest in the new PM.

Parliament is back and the honeymoon is over - Andy Burnham now faces his first major test as Prime Minister.The PM will make his Commons debut as he promises to “bring back hope” and make life more affordable. But with pressure on public finances can he deliver on his promises to cut energy bills, cap bus fares and slash business rates?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the gap between Burnham's ambitious promises and the tough reality facing the government.And the duo look at how Kemi Badenoch plans to puncture the Burnham bounce with her shadow cabinet reshuffle.

After a summer of setting out his stall, Andy Burnham now faces the hard task: turning ambition into action.In the last of the summer boxset, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy take a deep dive into five big challenges facing the government in the coming months.From defining the 10-year plan to unresolved pressure at home and abroad, the duo give their take and analysis for a critical parliamentary term ahead.With party conferences and a key budget on the horizon, can Burnham's government deliver on the change it has promised?

Is Britain ready for war? In the third instalment of Sam and Anne's Summer Boxset, they're joined by Sky's Defence and Security Analyst Professor Michael Clarke to ask: can Burnham's government keep Britain safe? From Ukraine to the Middle East, the trio examine the challenge facing Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and ask can the government afford what it wants to do on defence?They also ask whether Burnham will approach Trump differently to Starmer and what the possible blowback from providing Ukraine with weapons to strike Russia could be.

Artificial intelligence could transform the economy, the workplace, and even the way we think - but is Britain ready for it? And is Andy Burnham?In the second of Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy's summer box set conversations, they sit down with POLITICO UK tech editor Isobel Asher Hamilton to look at the choices facing the new prime minister this autumn.Should Britain be building the next OpenAI, or focusing on using AI to revive manufacturing? Can the UK compete with the US and China? And where will the government land on the biggest political battles ahead, from copyright and data centres to the future of work?Listen to the full episode of Jimmy's Job's of the Future podcast with Andy Burnham here.

Andy Burnham has promised to transform Britain, but can he afford it?This autumn, Chancellor John Healey will deliver the new government's first Budget, so what might it include?In the first episode of Sam and Anne's summer box set, they sit down with Sky News' economics editor Ed Conway to look at the spending choices facing the new prime minister.How will the government tackle the cost of living? What do the bond markets make of Mr Burnham? And how much control does any chancellor really have when conflict in the Middle East and global events are shaping so much of Britain's economy?Try Ed Conway's Stuff Matters podcast here

Andy Burnham has thrown the future of assisted dying into doubt. After telling Sam Coates that he does not want legislation to proceed until social care and palliative care are "fixed", supporters of the bill insist they are pressing ahead. But has the Prime Minister's intervention made its passage through Parliament far less likely? Sam and Anne examine what Burnham's comments mean for MPs ahead of the crucial September vote. Plus, new polling from POLITICO shows again the ‘Burnham bounce' as his approval rating goes up in every demographic, except one – Reform voters. What will this mean in the long term? And, before Sam and Anne take some time off over summer, what do they make of Burnham's first two weeks?

Anne shares what she's been hearing about the new top team at the Foreign Office and Ed Miliband reveals what his grandfather would have said about his new job.Meanwhile, can Andy Burnham really fix Britain's social care system? That's the big question as the new Prime Minister hosts cross-party talks on one of the country's biggest challenges.There's just one problem: the invitations only went out on Tuesday, and neither Kemi Badenoch nor Ed Davey will be in the room. The Conservative leader is sending the shadow health secretary in her place, while Davey will join by Zoom. Nigel Farage and the Green Party's Zack Polanski weren't invited.Sam and Anne dig into what, if anything, today's meeting could achieve.

No wonder the new prime minister is feeling chipper. Labour and Reform are now neck and neck in the polls for first time in more than a year. The biggest change? Among young voters. But the ‘Burnham Bounce' doesn't stop there – with the PM not only having the pleasure of meeting President Zelenskyy on a visit to a naval base but also our very own Sam Coates. Sam tells Anne McElvoy about his time with Andy Burnham and how his positivity and communication skills are a clear change from some of his predecessors. The duo also discuss the latest policy announcement from No.10. This time, a radical shift in the education system that will allow teenagers to take technical subjects alongside academic ones. But how will this actually work in practice?

Andy Burnham came into office promising the biggest change in Britain for 40 years. But one week into his premiership, is Britain seeing transformation or just a different style of politics?As Burnham unveils plans on social care, devolution and welfare, Sam and Anne ask just how big the policies announced by Burnham actually are. Is this just a continuation of Starmer with a new face?They also discuss Burnham's foreign policy as he prepares to welcome Volodymyr Zelenskyy later today at a British naval base.

The latest policy announcement from Burnham's new government is a 20% tax break for pubs, clubs and live music venues. That means that pub could save an estimated £1,100 a year. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy delve into the details and again ask, how will this be funded? The two also discuss Burnham's communication style and if it might need more discipline now that he's in No.10. This is in light of the new PM's comments on a potential review of early prison release in England and Wales. Also, the Foreign Office has withdrawn its remaining UK staff from Iran as Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Tehran. Sam and Anne talk about what this could mean for the new Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.

Andy Burnham wants to talk about his new bus fare cap but, and Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy point out, there isn't much chance to talk about anything else without the Commons sitting.They go through how the bus fare plan is funded. Chancellor John Healey says it will be “no burden to British taxpayers” but the small print raises questions about how the scheme will be funded.At the Farnborough Air Show, there is chance to talk defence spending – and fresh questions about how to fill the funding gap from Keit Starmer's pledges.Plus, Sam and Anne round-up the latest ministerial movements.

The Andy Burnham era is underway, and the new prime minister is kicking off with a bang – cutting VAT on electricity bills.He promised the country some “breathing space” on the cost of living, but with prices still rising will anyone actually feel better off? And is it properly funded?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine what the announcement shows about Burnham's direction of travel in government, as his new cabinet gathers for the first time.Plus, the duo unpack the biggest cabinet appointments – from John Healey as chancellor to Wes Streeting at Defence – after many Starmer loyalists were shown the door.

The bloodless coup reaches its climax today as Andy Burnham is set to become the 59th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom - but does a new face mark a new era of British politics?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy dissect the choreography of the handover, preview Burnham's first words as PM and analyse the key cabinet appointments that will reveal the shape of his government.Will anything really change?The duo also consider how a small cosmetic change could signal a new way in which Andy Burnham wants to operate.Plus, with little policy on the table so far, Sam and Anne assess the early indicators and direction of strategy and how it will impact the work of his incoming chancellor.

With just one day until Andy Burnham is crowned Labour leader, many are still scratching their heads – what will a Burnham government actually look like?The incoming PM says he's in no rush and will take his time over cabinet appointments – having already signalled a budget is likely in October.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy assess who could land the biggest jobs – especially at the Treasury, where Shabana Mahmood is emerging as the favourite for No11.The duo also wonder if the announcement that British Steel is being renationalised will set Burnham up for a diplomatic row with the Chinese government early in his premiership.Plus, as Starmer clocks up the “Keir miles” one last time on a farewell trip to Kyiv, will his bond with Zelenskyy endure after he leaves office?

It's Keir Starmer's final PMQs so Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy wonder if he'll get a softer side of Kemi Badenoch in the chamber today.But, as Starmer picks up his engraved carriage clock gift from cabinet, there's a shift in the chat about who Andy Burnham's neighbour at number 11 might be.Have Team Burnham gone off the idea of Ed Miliband as Chancellor because of soft left optics? And who else is in the frame?

Keir Starmer's farewell tour is well underway – but is he destined to spend most of it out of the UK?With an extra day in Paris for the Bastille Day celebrations and a possible dash state side for the World Cup final, Starmer is ending his premiership on the world stage – arguably his happy place.Back in Westminster, Prime Minister in waiting – Andy Burnham – ramps up preparations for government, telling colleagues his cabinet will reflect a “broad church.” But with days to go, cabinet ministers still don't know who will survive the reshuffle.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy assess the challenges awaiting the Burnham government and what his first appointments and decisions will say about the direction of travel.Elsewhere, Rachel Reeves delivers her final Mansion House speech as chancellor setting out the economic legacy she wants to leave behind.Plus, Anne catches up with Tony Blair. What advice does the former Labour leader have for Labour's next Prime Minister?

The political week starts with the shockwaves from the murder of Reform politician – Ann Widdecombe – which has put MPs security firmly back in the spotlight.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy have the latest on the police investigation, Nigel Farage's response and the wider political fallout. It comes as the row over political party donations intensifies, with Reform arguing that the current safeguards aren't strong enough.Meanwhile, Keir Starmer enters his final week as Prime Minister, while his successor Andy Burnham faces another major test in front of the Parliamentary Labour Party.Plus, will the Home Secretary be forced to soften her immigration reforms as she attempts to change the law to deport a recently released ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang.

The Andy Burnham era of politics is fast approaching – and the prime minister-in-waiting has finally set out some of his priorities for government.As Labour leadership nominations open – with his last active challenger Al Carns officially stepping aside – Burnham's path to power is now all but certain.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy dissect his blueprint for Number 10, with a specific look at:A foreign policy vision built around plans to “reindustrialise through defence”A rumoured UK tour of “overlooked communities”A promise to be more accessible and transform his relationship with Labour MPsPlus, as preparations for the Clacton by-election ramp up, Sam considers how Nigel Farage's gamble could backfire and asks whether coverage restrictions will cause headaches for broadcasters.

Nigel Farage has triggered a political earthquake by quitting as an MP – but is he trying to get ahead of an inevitable scandal?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack why Farage has called a by-election in Clacton and why none of the major parties are standing against him – with some describing it as a “gimmick.”The duo also examine whether his plans will have any material impact on the Parliamentary Standards investigation into his links with Christopher Harbone and George Cottrell.And could this extraordinary political gamble end with a stranger twist of a second by-election just weeks later?Plus, what impact will Rupert Lowe's Restore Party have on potential Reform supporters.

After new claims about Nigel Farage's funding arrangements, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss the bits of the new allegations which are worrying Reform.Plus, what will an Andy Burnham government actually be like?On the Treasury, the reports that he might try to split it in two seem have gone quiet but there seems to be an appetite to go early for this autumn's budget.Anne has also been speaking to Burnham advisor, Jim O'Neill, about what the Burnham foreign policy vision might be.

Could Nigel Farage's alleged financial relationship with a convicted fraudster come back to haunt him?The Reform leader is already under scrutiny over his £5 million gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harbone and these fresh allegations about his association with George Cottrell will intensify the pressure.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack the political, legal and ethical questions at the heart of the claims and examine whether the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards could widen his investigation.Nigel Farage insists he "has done no wrongdoing, followed the rules" and says he is considering legal action.Elsewhere, with a fortnight until Andy Burnham enters No10, cabinet colleagues are continuing to jostle for their positions to keep their jobs.Plus, Sam has a potential conspiracy theory on who could end up as Andy Burnham's chancellor.