Cat amongst the pigeons: Mandarins at war

About this episode

Sam and Anne discuss the political tensions surrounding the Prime Minister's decisions and the implications for the civil service amidst upcoming committee hearings.

Will the Prime Minister ever escape the ghost of Peter Mandelson and his decision to appoint the ‘Prince of Darkness’ as the UK’s ambassador to Washington? With fresh committee hearings looming – including an appearance from Cabinet Office permanent secretary Cat Little – and senior ministers appearing uncomfortable defending No10 on the airwaves, Sam and Anne ask if the row is anywhere near its peak. The duo also examine the growing tension between Downing Street and the civil service and whether pulling top mandarins into political warfare risks lasting damage to the system. Over on Planet Tory, Anne has an update on the rumoured reshuffle of Kemi Badenoch’s shadow cabinet. Plus, why isn’t the government more worried about a shortage of jet fuel due to the Iran war?

People in this episode

Hosts: Sam, Anne

Topics covered

• political tensions
• civil service
• government reshuffle
• jet fuel shortage
• Prime Minister
• committee hearings

Keywords

• Peter Mandelson
• Cat Little
• Kemi Badenoch
• Downing Street
• jet fuel shortage
• political warfare
• reshuffle
• Cabinet Office

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: No10, Downing Street, Cabinet Office

Places: Washington

More episodes of Politics At Sam and Anne's

• The ghosts of Burnham past haunt his campaign · June 11, 2026 · 23 min
• Belfast violence prompts fight on the right · June 10, 2026 · 21 min
• Why Burnham agrees with Farage · June 9, 2026 · 18 min
• Will Keir fight on? · June 8, 2026 · 21 min
• Could Andy Burnham build to victory? · June 4, 2026 · 21 min
• Revealed: Who are the brains behind Burnham · June 3, 2026 · 22 min