Politics At Sam and Anne's

With two hugely consequential months ahead in British politics, Sam and Anne look beneath the headlines and Westminster drama to ask what really comes next.
As Donald Trump escalates tensions in the Middle East once again, the duo examine the pressure on Whitehall. Would any Prime Minister, whoever occupies Number 10, make a difference or face the same issues?
Anne reports back from the Prague Security Conference where former Downing Street chief of staff – Morgan McSweeney – makes a stark warning on AI, political disruption and the future of campaigning.
Plus, is Britain simply ungovernable?

The Starmer government has made another blunder after it emerged that sanctions are being relaxed on Russian oil processed through third countries. As a political row unfolded, Sam and Anne discuss the fallout.
Plus, Westminster is buzzing with rumours of a possible Labour coronation before the summer. If events moved quickly, what might an Andy Burnham cabinet look like? Sam and Anne discuss the possible contenders for Chancellor and whether Labour could end up with a new Foreign Secretary.
And as speculation grows over what Burnham’s agenda as Prime Minister might be, two of Labour’s most difficult dividing lines are back in focus: single-sex spaces and assisted dying.

After a fortnight of local and national elections drama - can the machinery of government get back moving again amid global instability?
With the Straits of Hormuz still shut, Sam and Anne examine a raft of announcements coming from the Treasury. Is Rachel Reeves about to open a massive argument with the NIMBYs on the right to launch judicial reviews?
Away from the levers of government, the duo look ahead to some upcoming by-elections and explain the rules around the coverage of electoral events.
All the candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election can be found here.

Andy Burnham makes his opening pitch to the voters of Makerfield but is he already in campaign mode for PM, as well as MP? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss his launch video.
Back in London, there’s a cabinet meeting this morning. Just how awkward will that be for Keir Starmer? Especially with those who were pushing him to have a plan to leave office.
And what happens over the next few weeks in government if a minister has said that don’t want the PM and the PM doesn’t have confidence in a minister?

Andy Burnham says Britain needs a “circuit breaker for politics” as he plots his return to Westminster. But with Labour sources putting his chances of success in the Makerfield by-election at less than 50:50, will his plan to stand for PM unravel before it’s begun?
Sam and Anne unpack the political chaos consuming Labour, including the growing speculation about Sir Keir Starmer’s exit timetable, and Wes Streeting reigniting the row over rejoining the EU.
Will voters see Burnham as Labour’s saviour or a man who pushes the party deeper into crisis? And does the reopening of the Brexit wars play into Reform UK’s hands?