Politics At Sam and Anne's

After a weekend tariff assault by President Trump on the UK and Europe – triggered by the fallout from the U.S. ambition to buy Greenland – the Prime Minister rips up the agenda to hold an emergency news conference in Downing Street.Sam in London and Anne in Davos to go through what options Sir Keir Starmer has on the table and assess whether the PM should retaliate or find a diplomatic way through the choppy waters?Back in the Commons, Sam has the latest on the row over the Hillsborough law as the government pulls the legislation amid a battle with campaigners over how “watered down” the bill would be.Plus, what’s in-store on the defection front this week after a late night move by Andrew Rossindell to Reform from the Tories?

The Prime Minister faces growing anger and discontent within the Labour Party as proposed jury reforms stir up tensions. Discussions on the stalled assisted dying bill raise questions about its future, while the potential governance roles for former leaders in Gaza create a buzz. Delving into the current state of the UK economy, the Shadow Chancellor shares insights amid worrying GDP figures. The podcast also highlights the emotional fallout from the Hillsborough duty of candour dispute and critiques of governmental transparency.

A government U-turn on digital ID raises questions about the Prime Minister's credibility. Discussion ensues on the challenges of mandatory digital IDs and the backlash they faced. Rail investment in the north is back on the table, but will it truly connect big cities? The hosts explore the implications of unfinished projects and the importance of cross-party support. Meanwhile, immigration policies are shifting, with high-skilled visas gaining traction. All of this unfolds against a backdrop of global tensions potentially overshadowing domestic priorities.

A row is brewing between the government, Labour backbenchers and the security services over the Hillsborough law. Sam has the intel on why MPs want it to go even further, leaving No10 in a tricky position.After several policy U-turns and potentially more on the horizon – is the Prime Minister still in the driving seat and to what extent?Plus, as Reform UK claims its most high-profile scalp so far in Nadhim Zahawi, why are the polls heading in the wrong direction and could the party be accused of being the “same team, new badge” equivalent of Boris Johnson’s Conservatives?

As global instability continues to dominate the Prime Minister’s agenda, is the threat to his premiership receding?After a rollercoaster week of foreign events, and now the possibility of the collapse of the Iranian regime, Sam and Anne asses the perception of his actions on the home and domestic fronts.Link to foreign affairs, Anne has some intel on defence spending and how the funding doesn’t match the UK’s intention to be involved in military operations across the globe.Elsewhere, is the government about to ban X following a fallout from the usage of Grok AI to produce sexually explicit images?Plus, what do Kemi Badenoch and Andy Burnham have in common in the social media sphere?

Today, Sam and Anne ask the question, is the Prime Minister’s focus abroad distracting from his own problems and domestic reforms at home?With a plethora of contentious legislation to get through ahead of the spring statement in March and the Kings speech in May - the duo forecast whether there could be more rebellions down the line. The pair home in on the complicated problems facing Bridget Phillipson - how she deals with SEND reforms and the use of single sex spaces. Will the government take on parents over statementing kids, how will it be funded and is the EHRC acting in bad faith?

Three things from Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy to start your political day.What the government is having to deal with – the unpredictability of Donald Trump.Just as Britain signs up to troops in Ukraine if there’s a peace deal, it’s having to use its best diplomatic language on what the President’s thinking about Greenland.What the government wants to deal with – publishing the road safety strategy which is something every driver will have a view on.What some government sources are thinking – Sam’s got a story about whether AI is to blame for a massive rise in the number of Written Questions in the Commons.You can vote for Politics at Sam and Anne’s in the people’s choice category at the Political Podcast Awards here - https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/

The Starmer drama continues as the PM is warned by the Scottish Labour leader to stay away ahead of a crucial set of local elections – so, how popular is Keir Starmer across the board?Well, not very according to the first weekly check-in on the state of the polls in 2026 – as ‘Never Here Keir’ jets off to Paris for another Coalition of the Willing meeting.Before that, it’s the first cabinet of the New Year – and Sam and Anne have exclusive news on a potential revolt over business rates, as well as threats to industry to lobby less aggressively if it wants a u-turn.

As the new year unfolds, Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure over the UK's response to US actions in Venezuela. The podcast dives into the political fallout, examining Starmer's mid-point stance among allies and growing domestic critics. There's intriguing discussion on the fragility of government and how unexpected events could reshape leadership dynamics. Plus, a potential pivot towards deeper integration with the EU raises questions about what the UK is willing to concede. Will Farage's specter deter internal challenges to Starmer's leadership?

Could the next 12 months mould a new type of British politics, or could it break the entire system?Sam and Anne make their predictions and get into the political meat and potatoes of 2026, focusing on:If all the party leaders will still be in post?Could the local elections force a seismic change in UK politics?Does Britain still have a role in Europe and around the globe?Politics at Sam and Anne’s returns for daily service on Monday 5 January.