

Politics At Sam and Anne's
Sky News
Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy with what you need to know about the day ahead in British politics. All in under 20 minutes and in your feed around 7.30am.They're across the key interviews, the main stories and what the parties are saying. Whatever they're talking about, Westminster will be talking about today.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 19, 2025 • 19min
The Trump-Putin friendship goes on ice
Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy present their guide to the day ahead in British politics. Keir Starmer’s team spend the day trying to work out how the Trump-Putin phone call really went down. Could the UK end up sending more military support to Ukraine before any pause in fighting? The idea of an ice hockey game apparently came up on the call – Anne has an important history lesson on that. Around Westminster, it’s PMQs but the Labour charm offensive to convince its backbenchers of its welfare reforms goes on.

Mar 18, 2025 • 21min
Kemi breaks the net zero spell
Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy present their guide to the day ahead in British politics. It’s a big day for more than one reason. We know the details of the government’s welfare reforms will finally come this afternoon. Before that, this morning, Kemi Badenoch will say the UK’s target of hitting net zero by 2050 is ‘impossible’. How will Labour make their arguments in response – and will that be a new test for the Keir Starmer-Ed Miliband dynamic? On welfare, Sam and Anne go through the new details we’ll hear today. And it sounds like changes to PIP payments will need legislation.

Mar 17, 2025 • 21min
The Starmer backlash
Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have their guide to the day ahead in British politics.With Chancellor Rachel Reeves's spring statement fast approaching, Labour faces a major challenge from its own backbenchers ahead of an announcement to restrict some sickness and disability benefits. Sam and Anne discuss the stakes for Sir Keir Starmer and the plausibility of a party rebellion.Plus, it's classroom war over schools and academies, as Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson comes under pressure over her plans to shake up curriculums. But why is the schools bill causing such a stir?

Mar 13, 2025 • 21min
When is Keir Starmer's first reshuffle?
Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have their guide to the day ahead in British politics. It’s crunch time for Keir Starmer’s government. With rumours of a cabinet reshuffle rife - when might it take place? And who’s on the chopping block? This at a time when a rebellion over planned cuts to the welfare budget is brewing. Sam and Anne also explain how the subject of civil service reform is in fact very interesting – Keir Starmer will want to take note. Today he’ll apparently be announcing changes to defence spending, AI, and radical reform of the state. WhatsApp on 07511 867 633 or email us: jackandsam@sky.uk

Mar 12, 2025 • 22min
Starmer and Trump – best of frenemies?
Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have their guide to the day ahead in British politics. Tariffs are back on the agenda for this morning’s episode – the US has put them on all steel and aluminium imports, including those from the UK. How do ministers respond now? Does it go any further than the stiffly worded statement from business secretary Jonathan Reynolds? And as the US and Ukraine await Russia’s response to the proposal for a 30 day ceasefire, what is the role of the Starmer government at the moment – and what are the negotiating tactics at play? WhatsApp on 07511 867 633 or email us: jackandsam@sky.uk

Mar 11, 2025 • 20min
Keir the builder - can he fix it?
Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have their guide to the day ahead in British politics. Bats, pylons, and planning reforms - how far is Keir Starmer willing to go to achieve the growth and infrastructure he’s promised, and will Labour’s new reforms help the UK get there? And what has the fallout been after Mike Amesbury announced his resignation, triggering a by election in Runcorn? And over in Riyadh, ahead of peace talks over the war in Ukraine, how significant a role has Keir Starmer’s National Security advisor Jonathan Powell been playing? WhatsApp on 07511 867 633 or email us: jackandsam@sky.uk

Mar 10, 2025 • 22min
Farage gets tough
Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have their guide to the day ahead in British politics. With Zelensky heading to Saudi Arabia to join US sponsored peace talks in Saudi Arabia, Sam and Anne assess the UK’s response to any concessions Ukraine might be made to make to Russia. And with Mark Carney waiting in the wings to take over from Prime Minister Trudeau in Canada, how will his premiership differ and how will he respond to Trump’s threat of tariffs? Domestically, Labour’s wish for economic growth is well known, but do their planning reforms go far enough to get it? And speaking of Reform - as their internal rows rumble on, Anne and Sam discuss what the latest intervention from an unnamed KC means for the party. WhatsApp on 07511 867 633 or email us: jackandsam@sky.uk

Mar 6, 2025 • 19min
Fire alarm in the classroom
Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have their guide to the day ahead in British politics. As Matt Wrack, a former hard-left firefighter is endorsed as the the next leader of one of the two main teaching unions Sam and Anne discuss the fall out for the government. Mr Wrack who is the preferred candidate for the NASWT is a former general secretary of the fire brigade's union, but he has no professional educational background. They also discuss the ongoing conversations about defence spending and how Europe will protect itself as both Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer spend their day on defence visits. Plus are there plans to remove President Zelensky from office? Anne has been speaking to members of the Ukrainian government. WhatsApp on 07511 867 633 or email us: jackandsam@sky.uk

Mar 5, 2025 • 20min
The plan to save Rachel Reeves
Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have their guide to the day ahead in British politics. The domestic agenda is key today with some hints starting to emerge about what Chancellor Rachel Reeves is planning in her Spring statement in three weeks' time. Sam reveals details of a four-point plan to get big government announcements out there before the statement itself. Andrew Bailey, the governor of the Bank of England, may or may not help her preparations when he appears before the Treasury select committee today. You can send us a WhatsApp on 07511 867 633 or email us: jackandsam@sky.uk

Mar 4, 2025 • 19min
Trump tanks Starmer’s plan
Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have their guide to the day ahead in British politics. President Donald Trump has just pulled the plug on US military aid to Ukraine, leaving Sir Keir Starmer and European leaders scrambling to respond. Just yesterday, the prime minister was praised in the House of Commons for his diplomatic efforts, will he now be forced to rethink his approach?In today's episode, Sam and Anne unpack the decision, the ripple effects on European defence, and whether Sir Keir and French President Emmanuel Macron can convince Trump to reverse course.Plus, new polling shows Labour are back in the lead, but is Sir Keir losing focus on the domestic agenda?You can send us a WhatsApp on 07511 867 633 or email us: jackandsam@sky.uk