Politics At Sam and Anne's

It could have been a messy transition, but the ease with which Andy Burnham has returned to Westminster appears to be the product of many months of careful planning.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy delve into the details of how Burnham’s expected coronation has been managed – and why Louise Haigh has emerged as a key architect behind the scenes.Meanwhile, as Donald Trump breaks his silence on Keir Starmer’s likely replacement, his verdict is rather blunt.The duo dissect the U.S. President’s first public comments on Burnham, who he labelled as ‘extremely liberal’. What does this mean for the relationship between Washington and London?Plus: Rachel Reeves falls in behind Burnham — but can she, and will she, survive as chancellor?

In less than a month, Britain is set to get its seventh Prime Minister in under a decade.And barring a political earthquake, it's all but certain to be Andy Burnham.But several questions remain about what the King of the North really stands for – he now has just over three weeks to turn by-election victory into a policy platform to govern the country.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at the fading prospect of challengers and likely coronation. Can he really steady the ship ten years on from the Brexit referendum?Also, with the battle for No11 well underway, the duo also look at the economic agenda and what characters could form a Burnham government as the party begins to shape ideas for the next phase.

Andy Burnham has secured a thumping victory in the Makerfield by-election – but is it game over for Keir Starmer?With a critical few days ahead, attention now turns to Labour’s cabinet ministers, MPs and party members. Who could make the first move to oust the Prime Minister?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy have inside information from team Burnham and assess whether a ‘bloodless coup’ is really possible or whether rivals like Wes Streeting could disrupt the plan?Is this really Labour’s last chance to reconnect with voters and could Andy Burnham reset the party’s fortunes?Plus: are the Conservatives showing signs of a comeback after their surprise win in Aberdeen South?Is the SNP continuing to pay the political price for the fallout from the Peter Murrell saga?

As world leaders gather at the G7 summit – what's Keir Starmer’s top priority? With tensions in the Middle East, a trade dispute with China, a continuing war in Ukraine and Russia’s apparent involvement in arson attacks on homes and a car linked to Keir Starmer, the PM has his hands full.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy assess whether Starmer can turn high-level diplomacy into meaningful progress.The duo also examine the latest polling data, which suggests Andy Burnham remains the only Labour figure the public sees as a potentially stronger Prime Minister than Starmer. Plus, does Wes Streeting have the support to mount a leadership challenge if Labour's succession debate begins?

After a fortnight of local and national elections drama - can the machinery of government get back moving again amid global instability?With the Straits of Hormuz still shut, Sam and Anne examine a raft of announcements coming from the Treasury. Is Rachel Reeves about to open a massive argument with the NIMBYs on the right to launch judicial reviews?Away from the levers of government, the duo look ahead to some upcoming by-elections and explain the rules around the coverage of electoral events.All the candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election can be found here.

Andy Burnham says Britain needs a “circuit breaker for politics” as he plots his return to Westminster. But with Labour sources putting his chances of success in the Makerfield by-election at less than 50:50, will his plan to stand for PM unravel before it’s begun?Sam and Anne unpack the political chaos consuming Labour, including the growing speculation about Sir Keir Starmer’s exit timetable, and Wes Streeting reigniting the row over rejoining the EU.Will voters see Burnham as Labour’s saviour or a man who pushes the party deeper into crisis? And does the reopening of the Brexit wars play into Reform UK’s hands?

Will it be a ‘showdown’ when Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting meet today? Or does the King’s Speech calm Labour’s passions for 24 hours?Sam Coates and McElvoy wonder if any Labour leadership has got a bit stuck after a dramatic day of resignations. Because if Streeting doesn’t have the numbers and Andy Burnham doesn't even have a Commons seat – what can anyone do?Plus, amongst the pomp and pageantry the duo look at the substance of the King’s Speech – what bills are the ones to look out for?

A speech which could define the Keir Starmer premiership – but can he reset or will it be another underwhelming relaunch?With Labour MPs on edge, leadership contenders circling and worries over what stalking horse – Catherine West – will do next, Sam and Anne look at how quickly it all could spiral out of control if the PM fails to land his message.But could a quick contest potentially backfire on some of the rivals hoping to storm Number 10? The duo discuss why a delay in any leadership election might end up suiting the likes of Andy Burnham.Plus, away from the Starmer drama, is Nigel Farage about to face an investigation from the parliamentary watchdog over Christopher Harbone’s £5 million donation?