Politics At Sam and Anne's

After President Trump’s dramatic tariff climbdown at Davos, the Prime Minister and European leaders will be breathing a sigh of relief – but has it left more questions than answers and can the UK claim any credit for the change in position?Sam and Anne reflect on a month - primarily dominated by foreign issues and U-turns - and discuss whether if it was a missed opportunity for the government to push its priorities at home.The duo also ponder the view of business on Starmer’s premiership and if they are calling for a change in leadership. Plus, the peers in the Lords back a significant bill to ban social media for under 16s.

Donald Trump finally descends on Davos despite a delayed flight – and is set to dominate the day at the annual get-together of the global elite.Sam and Anne reflect on his mega press conference prior to his departure – where he criticised Keir Starmer on the Chagos deal once again – and ask whether the PM will be missed in the Swiss Alps.Anne has the latest on the ground, gathering intel from across the economic and political spectrum on Trump’s antics and the British position as well as the insane cost of a carafe of warm white wine.The duo also consider if there’s division or unity on a response to potential tariffs over Greenland.Plus, on the domestic front is yet another red-on-red battle about to commence?

Sam and Anne started this episode wonder if Starmer and Trump relations were showing signs of being back on track.And as they were recording – the latest Trump Truth Social post calls the UK Chagos Islands deal “an act of GREAT STUPIDITY”.A move that’ll dominate the day – Sam explains how it’ll land in Westminster and Anne explains what people will be saying at Davos. There’s also more u-turn talk after ministers confirm a consultation on banning social media for under-16s and Sam hears of possible changes to the plan to scale back jury trials.

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/