Politics At Sam and Anne's

Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News's Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide us through their predictions of how British politics will play out over the next seven days. This week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits Northern Ireland following the plans to restart Stormont and the swearing-in of Michelle O'Neill as the first nationalist first minister. After two years without a working government, how will the new dynamic with the new leadership look? Back in London, Rishi Sunak and the Home Office will need to deal with the spiralling political debate surrounding a chemical attack in Clapham last week, and how effectively the asylum system works. Plus, with more air strikes by the United States in the Middle East over the weekend, is Whitehall worried about sleepwalking into a war with Iran? And finally, the parties are warming up for an election - the Labour Party is approaching its deadline for submitting manifesto policies, and the Tories have a new faction backed by former PM Liz Truss. Jack and Sam look at how that might shape up. Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: jackandsam@sky.uk or jackandsam@politico.co.uk

Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide us through their predictions of how British politics will play out over the next seven days. This week, the prime minister will be railing against the small group of ex-ministers and special advisers who are plotting to bring him down before the election. The campaign to oust Rishi Sunak has been bubbling below the surface since before Christmas, but Jack and Sam predict the movement to dominate the week ahead in Westminster. And, the Conservatives are not the only party with pre-election problems. Latest polls suggest the SNP will be trumped by Scottish Labour at the general election and will lose control of Holyrood in 2026. Jack and Sam discuss how Nicola Sturgeon will fare at her second appearance at the COVID inquiry this week. Plus, as Labour puts out its "party of stability" message again this week - with announcements on financial service and life sciences - Jack and Sam run through the party's own psychodramas. Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: jackandsam@sky.uk or jackandsam@politico.co.uk

Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News's Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide us through their predictions of how British politics will play out over the next seven days. In the week after Rishi Sunak's Rwanda vote, Jack and Sam predict the Tories will try and move on to safer ground to talk about tax cuts and the economy, amid questions about how much longer Jeremy Hunt will remain chancellor. Meanwhile Sir Keir Starmer will be trying to take the headlines with his own agenda with a speech focussing on crime. Rwanda isn't forgotten, though – Jack and Sam talk about what's next for the policy that has divided the Conservative Party. Plus, there's even more pressure on Nicola Sturgeon after the COVID Inquiry revealed she had "deleted" all of her WhatsApp messages during the pandemic... Jack and Sam discuss what's next for the former first minister and the SNP. Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: jackandsam@sky.uk or jackandsam@politico.co.uk

Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide us through their predictions of how British politics will play out over the next seven days. This week the Post Office will be expected to deliver answers when its chief executive faces the Commons business committee to discuss the Horizon scandal. Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said of UK action in the Red Sea: “We will be prepared to back words with actions”. How will that go down when the prime minister is in the Commons on Monday afternoon. And, standby for the return of the Rwanda Bill to parliament – Sam and Jack run through the amendments to watch out for. Plus, their predictions on the World Economic Forum in Davos and what will happen when the deadline for restoring power-sharing in Northern Ireland passes this week.On the Horizon scandal, the Post Office said: "We fully share the aims of the current public inquiry, set up to establish what went wrong in the past, and the accountability for it." Fujitsu, the company behind the IT system, said: "Fujitsu is fully committed to supporting the Inquiry in order to understand what happened and to learn from it. Out of respect for the Inquiry process, it would be inappropriate for Fujitsu to comment further at this time." Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: jackandsam@sky.uk or jackandsam@politico.co.uk

Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News's Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide us through their predictions of how British politics will play out over the next seven days. This week: As well as election fever ramping up as MPs return to Westminster, they look at what else is in store for Rishi Sunak. For starters, there’s a potential Tory backlash looming on government plans for more oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. Plus, ministers and rival factions of Tory MPs will start more talks over the controversial Rwanda bill. And, Jack and Sam discuss some of the biggest international issues facing Parliament – with Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton appearing at the Foreign Affairs select committee on Tuesday Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: jackandsam@sky.uk or jackandsam@politico.co.uk

Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News's Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, usually guide us through their predictions of how British politics will play out over the next seven days, but in this episode they attempt to predict an entire year... a year that's set to be the planet's biggest ever for elections. They start with the likely British election – looking at how Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer might play their cards, with predictions on the election date and what might happen with the Tory leadership. Plus, Jack and Sam look at elections in the US, Taiwan, and across Europe – and how they might impact domestic politics. And some familiar voices lend their predictions too; including Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, the SNP's Stephen Flynn, Sky News's Kay Burley, and Politico's Rosa Prince. Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: jackandsam@sky.uk or jackandsam@politico.co.uk

Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News's Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide us through their predictions of how British politics will play out over the next seven days.Although Westminster is in Christmas party season the politics continues unbowed, with Parliament still sitting on Monday and Tuesday of this week. This week: what the Prime Minister might get ask by the Liaison Committee on Tuesday, Wednesday’s inflation figures and what Michael Gove might be saying about where new homes get built. Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: jackandsam@sky.uk or jackandsam@politico.co.uk

Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News's Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide us through their predictions of how British politics will play out over the next seven days. It’s looking like a tough week ahead for Rishi Sunak. Jack and Sam look to Tuesday’s crucial vote as the Prime Minister attempts to get his landmark Rwanda legislation through parliament. On top of that, Rishi Sunak will also be giving evidence at the COVID inquiry's final session of the year. Jack and Sam take us through what we can expect from his testimony. Plus Keir Starmer is due to give a big speech on Tuesday to mark the fourth anniversary of the 2019 general election. Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: jackandsam@sky.uk or jackandsam@politico.co.uk

Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News's Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide us through their predictions of how British politics will play out over the next seven days. With Boris Johnson due to give evidence to the COVID inquiry this week, Jack and Sam take us through what he'll be probed on and what to expect. They're joined by Rachel Johnson, journalist and sister of the former prime minister, who shares her views on how the inquiry is progressing and the potential takeaways from her brother's testimony. Plus, what can we expect this week on an update to the Rwanda migration policy, and Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s next trip abroad. Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: jackandsam@sky.uk or jackandsam@politico.co.uk

Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News's Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide us through their predictions of how British politics will play out over the next seven days. On this episode, after a government U-turn on measures to help Britain get to Net Zero, Rishi Sunak and the King both head to Dubai for climate conference COP28. Jack and Sam analyse the tone the PM may strike. They explore the potential fallout from Matt Hancock’s upcoming appearance in front of the COVID inquiry - what might we learn from his turn in the chair?  Legal migration stats have caused jitters in the Tory party - how will new Home Secretary James Cleverly respond this week?  Plus - what does Rishi Sunak want out of this week’s investment summit?   Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: jackandsam@sky.uk or jackandsam@politico.co.uk