Politics At Sam and Anne's

Is the battle over welfare reforms about to intensify?
With the Milburn Report just a week away, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the growing pressure on Labour to tackle the issue as the head of the civil service – Antonia Romeo – prepares Whitehall for a spending squeeze.
But, as costs spiral, the Conservatives are circling and plan to lay out their plans on how they would reduce £36bn from the benefits bill - Where will the money come from and who will bear the costs?
Elsewhere, Sam hears some rumblings that No10 North is already being branded as a “government think tank.”
Plus, does the weekly polling show signs of a Tory fightback and are Reform beginning to suffer?

Andy Burnham has a vision but with a mountain to climb where is his premiership heading?
With the 10-year plan, controversial welfare reforms and a UK-EU summit on the horizon, can the Prime Minster turn his political ambition into real change.
In a special episode, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy are joined by Paul Ovenden, Keir Starmer’s former director of strategy, to deep dive into the thinking of the Burnham government.
Has the PM learnt from Starmer’s failures, how far will he push welfare reform and could Britain eventually rejoin the EU?

It’s been a bruising night for Donald Trump at the midterm elections - losing both the House and the Senate – but what does it mean for Britain?
In a special edition, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy hear from a variety of experts – on both sides of the Atlantic – as the balance of power shifts in Washington.
So where does the President go from here - will he double down or change course?
Could he relaunch an offensive in Iran? What will happen to the world economy? And could the fallout fundamentally reshape Britain’s relationship with its closest ally?

A bullish home secretary came out swinging after critics claimed a climbdown over her controversial immigration reforms.
What remains from Shabana Mahmood’s original plan? And is the rest of the cabinet – including Angela Rayner – really behind her?
Sam Coates – who's been speaking to the home secretary – and Anne McElvoy examine the details and question whether she’s done enough to quash the internal arguments within Labour.

Are domestic political battles about to collide with a diplomatic storm for the Prime Minister?
As Andy Burnham jets off to the Caribbean, Home Secretary – Shabana Mahmood – prepares to unveil one of the most contentious policies of his premiership: a major crackdown on legal migration.
But, a year after the plans were first proposed, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at whether Labour have quashed the internal rebellion and how much influence Angela Rayner has had on the PM’s position.
Plus, as the Commonwealth Summit gets underway in Antigua, is the Prime Minister facing a series of challenges on the international front – from potential reparations for slavery to US-China influence on the region.