Politics At Sam and Anne's

It’s almost a decade since the referendum on leaving the EU – and it feels like Keir Starmer has turned up the dial on his Brexit rhetoric.He said it would be “reckless” to use Brexit as a template for foreign policy.Sam and Anne discuss what the PM had to say. Elsewhere, how good is the UK-US zero tariff-drugs deal really and how are voters feeling about Labour as the budget dust starts to settle?Anne has some intel on the race to replace Lord Mandelson as the UK’s Ambassador to the United States.Plus, a listener asks why the PM didn’t dress properly for the Guildhall last night. 

The budget fallout continues but did the Prime Minister and the Chancellor exaggerate the size of the blackhole?Sam and Anne question whether Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves misled cabinet and the country to justify the smorgasbord of tax rises as pressure mounts across the political divide. Elsewhere, has the reset talks with the European Union hit the buffers over defence?Plus, the spotlight is on the head of the Office for Budget Responsibility as the investigation into the budget leak is given to the treasury. 

After all the drama can MPs, the markets, business and voters stomach Rachel Reeves’ budget? Sam and Anne look behind the headlines and dive deeper into items which were not noticed as much in the Chancellor’s budget, questioning whether it could be seen as a return to austerity. Plus, the duo also consider the practicalities of some of the new taxes and how they will be collected and monitored. Away from Westminster, Anne has an update on Ukraine and the push for a peace deal. 

The hosts dive into the chaos of a budget revealed ahead of time, analyzing its impact on politics and the economy. They discuss the staggering tax increases and how they aim to protect certain voter groups. The conversation touches on the bleak growth forecast and business concerns. With a lack of a solid growth plan, reactions from both the opposition and the governing party are examined, sparking questions about political survival for the chancellor. Finally, they look at who benefits and who loses, alongside public sentiment around the budget's measures.

The latest budget reveals a mix of taxes, including mansion and gambling taxes, alongside spending commitments like scrapping the two-child benefit cap. Sam and Anne analyze whether Rachel Reeves' plan caters more to MPs and markets than to everyday voters. They discuss the implications of raising living standards while managing a £30 billion gap, all without increasing income tax. Key pitfalls and potential omissions are also highlighted, noting the risks for middle-income earners facing significant tax burdens.

On the eve of the long-awaited budget, the rhetoric is ramping up and speculation across Westminster is wild – but has the criticism on the Chancellor been fair? Sam and Anne assess Rachel Reeves’ position, her pitch roll to Labour MPs and her potential smorgasbord of tax rises. Plus, the duo issue a warning about increased tariffs from China ahead of Christmas. 

As Business leaders gather for the CBI conference will the Chancellor be on their side? Sam and Anne consider whether Rachel Reeves could make this budget for business a “death by a thousand taxes.” Elsewhere, Sam has a scoop on the OBR’s growth forecasts and how they could impact the budget. Plus, Anne has the behind the scenes take from the talks to end the war in Ukraine. 

As the Prime Minister heads to the G20 in South Africa, could international support for the Ukrainian war effort be under threat as an alleged corruption case rocks the Zelenskyy government?Back home, is a massive political row about to erupt over the use of single sex spaces?Plus, there could be some uncomfortable reading for some in Westminster later, as Baroness Hallet presents her report into the UK’s decision making and governance during the Covid pandemic.

With just one week until the budget – what levers are left for the Chancellor to pull to plug the black hole in the public finances? Sam and Anne assess the current economic outlook and explore what tax options are on the table for Rachel Reeves and whether a set of announcements could alleviate some of the pressure on her. Elsewhere, the Westminster village braces itself for the political report into the UK’s decision making and governance during the Covid pandemic. Plus, how significant is it that the government has named China in the latest attack on the British political system to recruit potential spies? 

The Prime Minister is out of the country again for the first of two overseas trips this week - he's off to Berlin ahead of the G20 in South Africa. Back home, he leaves grumpiness and angst about next week’s budget – Sam tells Anne he’s hearing about the challenges of squeezing every last penny out of Whitehall departments.Is this the first budget that’s unravelled before it’s delivered? And with auditions becoming a theme of the Labour front bench, did the Home Secretary pass on her big day? Plus, is there a quiet man elsewhere in cabinet who is turning up the volume?