Politics At Sam and Anne's

Is Reform facing another growing crisis over alleged racist, sexist and violent language within its ranks?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy assess what the latest claims within an ITV News undercover investigation mean for Nigel Farage and whether more damaging revelations are still to come.Reform say there is “no room for racism” within its party.Elsewhere, President Zelenskyy says Donald Trump cut Ukraine’s access to vital satellite technology – Starlink – claiming it cost lives. If America can switch off vital military technology, how safe is Britain’s growing reliance on Elon Musk’s satellite networks?Plus, is the cabinet office heading for an historic re-brand and who will hold the power at the heart of government?

Reform is under pressure again - but could the coming weeks prove make-or-break for Nigel Farage’s party?With fresh undercover filming threatening to cause trouble and a crucial report into the £5m gift looming, how serious could the fallout be?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy also unpack the latest polling: is Kemi Badenoch enjoying a post-conference bounce, or are internal divisions across the political landscape reshaping the race?Elsewhere, the battle for the Budget narrative is heating up, and Sam has some intel on why business leaders could be getting extra attention from No 10.Plus, with a date set for an EU-UK Summit, Anne gauges the opinion across the continent.

With conference season in the rear-view mirror, Andy Burnham jets off to Germany for his first European trip as PM - but how much do Anglo-German relations matter right now?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look ahead to his meeting with German chancellor Friedrich Merz as the countries attempt to align ambitions and maybe find an avenue to rejoin the EU.Elsewhere, an MP gets in touch to ask whether the government is trying to curb transparency and scrutiny.

It’s Kemi Badenoch’s big day at Conservative conference - but it’s not just the adoring party faithful she has to impress.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at how the leader’s speech will land with both voters and party donors – in what she’s calling a “battle for the soul of the country”.There are already signs the Tories’ finances are not in the shape they need to be to fight an election on two fronts – with our hosts picking up clues from the conference hall in Birmingham.Plus, Sam and Anne check in on the state of the Green Party, after delegates adopted a motion declaring Zionism as a form of racism. What does it mean for leader Zack Polanski? You can find the candidate standing in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election here. Sam and Anne will return later for a special de-brief edition following Kemi Badenoch speech, which will be released mid-afternoon.

Is Andy Burnham an easier opponent for the Conservatives than Keir Starmer? At Tory conference in Birmingham, Kemi Badenoch’s team sniff a chance to attack the Prime Minister – with a particular chance to seize and attack his economic argument. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy pore over Badenoch’s ‘The Right Way’ pamphlet and how she plans to take the fight to Reform in the north and the Liberal Democrats in the southeast. Elsewhere, Anne has been speaking Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary – Helen Whately – who has a couple of blunt messages for Andy Burnham. Plus, are the Conservatives truly over Robert Jencrick after his defection to Reform?

Labour conference is over and the opposition parties are already on the attack – despite a ringing endorsement from Oasis’ Liam Gallagher. As the Conservatives head to Birmingham, Kemi Badenoch has branded the Prime Minister’s plans as “Corbynism with better packaging.” Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy ask whether the Tories are embracing a more aggressive style of politics – in stark contrast to Burnham’s call for a more consensual approach. Elsewhere, Europe is back at the centre of the debate, but what are they realistic options on the table? Plus, is the PM starting to wind up MPs outside mayoral regions with his targeted plans?

An hour-long emotional address promising to “break the mould” of British politics – but will Britain buy Andy Burnham’s vision?In a special de-brief episode from Liverpool, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack the big pledges – from challenging the triple lock, creating a national care service to electoral reform and a new relationship with the EU.Has Burnham already set his sights on his political opponents – and begun the long campaign for the next general election?Have the targets for the opposition parties already been placed and has the PM already started his campaign for the next general election?With no personal mandate and little money to spend, can the PM use his political goodwill to take people with him?

Labour conference enters day two under the shadow of a suspected terror plot at RAF Fairford and whether the Iranians were involved.As Donald Trump offers his account, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the conflicting version of events, the emerging security concerns around the Gloucestershire airbase and the political reaction.Meanwhile in Liverpool, the chancellor takes centre stage but why is he keeping a low profile?Sam and Anne discuss the building economic tensions between No10 and the Treasury on the approach to the economy, investment and fiscal rules.Plus, with John Healey’s headroom getting squeezed further, how much appetite is there within Labour for another big tax-raising budget?

Is the Burnham bounce starting to show?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy dig into a mega poll – projecting Labour as the largest party at the next general election – but still 85 seats short of a Commons majority.What do these numbers mean for Andy Burnham, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage?And how could a split on the right of British politics help Labour keep the keys to No10?Plus, has Tony Blair’s call to rejoin the EU made things awkward for Andy Burnham ahead of Labour conference in Liverpool?

How on edge will Andy Burnham feel as he prepares to meet Donald Trump?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy assess the risks as the two met get together for the first time – where could the US President take umbrage?Also – why has Andy Burnham agreed to help Saudi Arabia with “defensive military support” against the Houthis?Sam’s been speaking to Liberal Democrat leader – Sir Ed Davey – as their conference wraps up in Brighton but why has AI, technology and social care become a major theme?And, why are Lib Dem candidates being told to ditch the suits for quarter zip tops?

What happens when the keys to No10 are handed back?Anne reports from a gathering of former Prime Minister’s - Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer - and reveals what life after power really looks like.Meanwhile, after some football diplomacy with Canadian PM – Mark Carney – could it offer a chance for Andy Burnham to unlock closer ties with the EU or has the reset hit another roadblock?

As the TUC Congress continues in Brighton, some of Labour’s big beasts have been baring their teeth – with Angela Rayner using an after-dinner speech to land some blows on defence secretary Wes Streeting.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy reveal what was said and whether it was all taken in good fun....Meanwhile, the economic picture looks bleak as John Healey prepares for his first budget. Sam has a scoop on how one economic forecast could make or break his spending plans.And Reform remains ‘100% confident’ two of the biggest donations in British political history were legal. But will that position shift as ministers face growing questions over how a proposed retrospective change in the law would work in practice?