• The problem with Keir’s Mandelson defence
    Apr 20 2026

    The Prime Minister faces another defining day as he confronts MPs over one question - when did he and No10 learn that Peter Mandelson had failed his security vetting?

    Keir Starmer has blamed top foreign office diplomat - Sir Olly Robbins - for not telling him, but allies of the mandarin are fighting back ahead of his expected appearance before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee tomorrow.

    Sam and Anne unpack the competing claims, the ongoing fallout and whether this has become a defining crisis for the PM - just a fortnight before the local and national elections.

    And, away from the fighting in Westminster, are Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner already planning for a future without Keir Starmer?

    Plus, is a Kemi Badenoch shadow cabinet reshuffle on the cards?

    Show more Show less
    22 mins
  • Going postal: The election brawl begins
    Apr 16 2026

    With three weeks to polling day, postal voting is underway in local and devolved elections across the UK - but will the process stay clean and how much could deepfakes distort the campaign?

    In Scotland, an almighty row has erupted between Labour and Reform over an alleged behind-the-scenes alliance to remove the SNP, with both parties branding each other liars.

    Down in Wales, questions are being raised over whether a party could win the most votes yet fail to form the next administration under the new voting system.

    Sam hears from the CEO of the Electoral Commission about the threat of deepfakes and a new pilot scheme to detect them.

    Away from the campaign trail, Anne has been speaking to the new German ambassador to the UK, who has struck up an unlikely friendship with a potential challenger to Keir Starmer.

    Plus, details of plans being drawn up for a “worst-case scenario” over food shortages if the Strait of Hormuz remains shut.

    You can find all the candidates standing in the local and national elections across the country here.

    Show more Show less
    20 mins
  • Trump v Britain: The war of words spirals
    Apr 15 2026

    Donald Trump unloads another scathing attack on Keir Starmer – throwing out threats and casting doubt on the special relationship once again – raising fresh question about what could happen next.

    All very awkward as the Chancellor touches down in Washington for a key IMF meeting and a state visit from King Charles looms on the horizon.

    Away from Trump-Starmer division – Sam and Anne unpack the reaction to yesterday’s exclusive revelation on the podcast that defence chiefs are trying to find more cuts to the defence budget. Is Rachel Reeves under more pressure to find cash for them?

    Plus, Sam has a scoop on the energy price cap and a scheme which could help businesses.

    If you want more analysis on that Donald Trump phone call with Mark Stone – listen to the latest episode of Trump 100 podcast here.

    Show more Show less
    21 mins
  • Is Starmer guilty of “corrosive complacency” on defence?
    Apr 14 2026

    The man who wrote Keir Starmer’s defence review says the Government is putting the UK ‘in peril’ at a time of war.

    With more pressure to overhaul the defence budget, Sam reveals that talks going on this week to find billions of pounds worth of savings from this year’s MOD budget.

    Also – has Ed Miliband shifted his stance on new North Sea oil and gas drilling?

    Plus, in our weekly polls check-in: are the Greens shifting the dial of momentum in their favour?

    Show more Show less
    22 mins
  • The rising cost of trouble abroad
    Apr 13 2026

    What is the Prime Minister’s top priority as he faces down a critical month? He has a busy basket of problems on the domestic and foreign front – all set on the backdrop of a crucial set of elections.

    In the Middle East, with no peace deal between the U.S. and Iran and the Strait of Hormuz still blocked, a leading think tank issues some stark warnings about the impact on British households.

    In Parliament, as the session draws to a close, MPs face the mammoth task of sifting through 17 pieces of legislation – ranging from the Hillsborough Law to GB Rail – to decide whether they progress or fall.

    Plus, what does the fall of Hungary's Victor Orban mean for Europe, Russia and Ukraine?

    Show more Show less
    21 mins
  • Why is so much at stake in the May elections?
    Apr 6 2026

    With one month to go until the local elections in England, Wales and Scotland - is the electoral map about to be redrawn?

    In his first major test since the general election, Sir Keir Starmer faces a major health check and verdict on his government and leadership. Could the results reshape his premiership?

    In this special episode, Sam and Anne are joined by elections analyst Professor Rob Ford to discuss the key battlegrounds across the country.

    • Can the SNP hold on for a fifth term at Holyrood?
    • Could Welsh Labour lose power in the Senedd for the first time in its electoral history?
    • Will Reform UK and the Greens' surge end the conventional two-party political system for good?
    • Can the Conservatives stop the bleeding of votes across the board?
    • Was the Liberal Democrat revival short-lived?

    Sam and Anne return for daily episodes from Monday 13 April.

    Show more Show less
    32 mins
  • Keir takes charge on Iran contingencies
    Mar 30 2026

    MPs may be on recess - but as the Iran war enters its fifth week should Whitehall ramp up contingency planning for its impact at home?

    With the Strait of Hormuz still shut and reports of a potential U.S. ground invasion the Prime Minister will host a roundtable with key stakeholders from industry to discuss the ongoing impacts.

    Elsewhere, Labour launch its local elections campaign, and the duo look at the polls from a national perspective, assessing the state of the parties with a key month ahead to May 7th.

    Next Monday Sam and Anne return with a lookahead to the local elections with academic and pollster – Professor Rob Ford. Normal service will resume from Monday 13th April.

    Show more Show less
    20 mins
  • From Tehran to Teesside: Could Starmer run out of energy?
    Mar 26 2026

    The Iran conflict may be dominating the headlines, but it’s the unintended consequences back home that are bothering the Prime Minister.

    With Tehran rejecting Donald Trump’s 15-point peace plan, will the government be forced to step up contingency planning to cover issues as diverse as fertiliser, fuel costs and even helium production?

    Sir Keir Starmer is in Finland for a military summit – so Sam and Anne assess the urgent priorities at home and abroad.

    But back in Westminster, the Morgan McSweeney phone theft story simply won’t go away. Are there yet more questions for No.10 to answer?

    Show more Show less
    20 mins