Politics At Sam and Anne's

Andy Burnham appears to have taken another major step towards power, bringing in a big name from the Blair era – James Purnell – as his chief of staff. What does it say about the Burnham operation and the government he is trying to build?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack a decades-long relationship, and discuss why it’s being welcomed by Labour MPs, business and the city.Plus, as Starmer ally Darren Jones rules himself out of a leadership challenge, is the path now clear for a Burnham coronation?And Anne has been speaking to Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick. How do they deal with a new Labour leader, and do they have a clear narrative on migration?

Keir Starmer is on the brink of resigning – the only question left is when does the drama end.After a tense weekend, the Prime Minister remains under intense pressure from his cabinet to quit, with Downing Street braced for the end of another short-lived premiership.Meanwhile, fresh from his Makerfield by-election victory, Andy Burnham returns to Westminster. But can the King of the North pull off a smooth succession to No10?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy have inside information from both the Starmer and Burnham camps on whether Labour can manage a seamless transition or whether a brutal leadership battle lies ahead.Plus, if there is to be a handover of power in the coming weeks, what are the pro and cons?

With just 24 hours until polling day, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy preview three pivotal by-elections that could reshape British politics.The duo assess the contests in Makerfield, Aberdeen South and Arbroath & Broughty Ferry, exploring:Why Makerfield has become one of the most closely watched by-elections in recent political historyHow the Conservatives hope to capitalise on support for the oil and gas industry in Aberdeen SouthWhy Arbroath & Broughty Ferry is a crucial test of the SNP’s ability to fend off Labour's challengeAway from the campaign trail, Anne brings the latest intelligence from the UK-EU summit as political tensions continue to build in Westminster.Plus, is the cabinet starting to forge a path for the future without Keir Starmer?Sam and Anne will return on Friday morning for a special de-brief episode to discuss the impact of the by-election results on British politics.The candidates standing in Makerfield by-election can be found here.The candidates standing in Aberdeen South by-election can be found here.The candidates standing in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry by-election can be found here.

How is Keir Starmer planning to play this week?The week which could end with Andy Burnham back in parliament.We know the prime minister’s got a social media ban for under-16s to announce today and a G7 summit to attend.But Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss what else is on his mind, particularly after the resignation of John Healey as defence secretary – and whether a stubborn attitude is the right way to be.They also have word on who’s back advising Keir Starmer.The full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election can be found here.

Andy Burnham makes his opening pitch to the voters of Makerfield but is he already in campaign mode for PM, as well as MP? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss his launch video.Back in London, there’s a cabinet meeting this morning. Just how awkward will that be for Keir Starmer? Especially with those who were pushing him to have a plan to leave office.And what happens over the next few weeks in government if a minister has said that don’t want the PM and the PM doesn’t have confidence in a minister?

Is the Labour leadership contest about to get messy and plunge the party into chaos?Sam and Anne start the day expecting Wes Streeting to resign as Health Secretary to spark a contest, but an early intervention may have swung the momentum.Angela Rayner has come out saying a HMRC investigation into her tax affairs is over, paving a way for a challenge but will she join the contest? Can Andy Burnham find a way to enter the fray?So, as the Prime Minister vows to fight any competitor the leadership discussions are heating up.The duo analyse the developing situation and ask whether it will be straight forward or complex showdown with the PM.

Will today’s cabinet showdown push Keir Starmer to make a final decision on his future?And will that mean Wes Streeting starts a leadership campaign?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy go over the dynamics of the cabinet meeting and who of the 32 is thinking what – with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood the most blunt so far about the PM needing to go.They also go over what they’re hearing from those who want any contest to be quick – and from those who want a longer game, with Andy Burnham involved.

Is anyone really prepared to put their head above the parapet to challenge Keir Starmer?After a disastrous set of election results, Labour backbencher Catherine West has launched a stalking-horse threat to force the Prime Minister out.But, with rival camps in disarray and would-be successors staying silent, will the cabinet unite around a successor or fracture even further?In this special debrief edition of Politics at Sam and Anne’s, the duo reveal who’s talking to who and whether Labour can stop the chaos before it spirals out of control.Elsewhere, as the SNP and Plaid Cymru look likely to lead the devolved administrations will the state of the union be put into further question.