Politics At Jack And Sam's

Sky News

Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Jack Blanchard 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...

  • 22 minutes 18 seconds
    Kemi’s Tories drop to 4th
    Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.  

    It'll be a day when the PM goes again at selling the merits of his EU deal. One former cabinet minister tells the podcast it's all 'concrete and waffle'. 

    Welfare is on the agenda today too - with a DWP committee session on child welfare. 

    And, did someone mention Nick Clegg? The former Deputy PM has used the c-word about the Lib Dems. Sam and Anne discuss coalition after another favorable poll for them - but it's a poll which really isn't good news for the Tories  
    20 May 2025, 6:42 am
  • 20 minutes 3 seconds
    Does the great EU reset work?
    Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.  
     
    It's EU summit day – so what will Keir Starmer agree?  It’s been described as an historic summit and will be a reset of relations since Brexit. It’s expected that the EU and the UK will sign a security and defense partnership.  But so far nothing is set in stone. 
     
    Plus, how sincere are Vladamir Putin's interest in a ceasefire?  
    19 May 2025, 7:05 am
  • 21 minutes 29 seconds
    Keir Starmer faces friendly fire
    Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.  
     
    Today, Sir Keir Starmer heads to Albania to announce a crackdown on migrant smuggling gangs in the Balkans whilst internal political unrest continues to brew at home. 
     
    Sam and Anne discuss the growing tension inside both the Labour and Conservative parties, and Sam reveals how the first cracks between the chancellor and the PM have started to form. What does this mean for an increasingly under pressure Starmer? 
     
    Plus: Tory uncertainty deepens, leaving MPs wondering where Kemi Badenoch leadership is taking them.
    15 May 2025, 6:47 am
  • 20 minutes 12 seconds
    How fishy is Macron’s state visit?
    Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McEvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.  
     
    It might be PMQs and there might be a big announcement about moving civil servants out of London but this episode also looks at the day in the backrooms of Westminster. 
     
    There’s more to nail down ahead of Monday’s EU summit – the announcement of a state visit for the Macrons might be a clue on where talks on things like fisheries are at. So what else is going on to prepare for next week? 
     
    Plus, what’s in this morning’s story about NHS reform? 
    14 May 2025, 6:34 am
  • 20 minutes 54 seconds
    Nigel Farage’s migration mystery
    Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy preview how the day will play out in British politics. 
     
    After Labour’s migration plans were announced yesterday, Sam and Anne reflect on the Prime Minister’s rhetoric and its populist overtones. But how authentic is it?  
     
    Also, the Tories launched their own deportation bill in parliament yesterday. What’s in it and is it all a bit of a stunt? 
     
    And Sam’s reflecting on his interview with Nigel Farage, where he pressed the Reform leader on a loophole in the party’s manifesto which could allow an unknown amount of people to come into the country.  
    13 May 2025, 6:47 am
  • 19 minutes 56 seconds
    Is this Keir Starmer’s biggest week as PM?
    Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy preview how the day will play out in British politics. 
     
    Today’s the day when Keir Starmer finally reveals his big shake-up of migration laws. Sam and Anne discuss the focus on low-skilled workers that’ll be big for the social care and university sectors, and how there’s a growing concern in government that the benefits of migration are being overstated. 
     
    That’s how the PM wants to start the week, but his agenda might be overshadowed by international events. The Foreign Secretary will be part of today’s efforts to make sure Putin shows up to meet Zelenskyy in Istanbul on Thursday. 
    12 May 2025, 6:32 am
  • 19 minutes 25 seconds
    Starmer wins Trump deal race
    Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy preview how the day will play out in British politics.

    Overnight, reports emerged of a UK-US trade announcement being hours away. Sam and Anne discuss the significance of this political win for Sir Keir Starmer "at a time he needs it most".

    The pair discuss what detail is expected to be in the pact and what it means for the 'special' relationship between the two countries.

    Plus, the Bank of England is expected to announce a cut in interest rates. Sam and Anne ask whether things are looking up for the prime minister?
    8 May 2025, 6:39 am
  • 22 minutes 30 seconds
    Starmer plan challenged by Red Wall MPs
    Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy preview how the day will play out in British politics. 
     
    As the fallout continues to grow following the local elections, Keir Starmer faces a challenge to his plan for change from his own MPs – are things going to get worse for Labour, before they get better?  
     
    And while Number 10 thought the India trade deal was going to be a good news story for them, Sam and Anne disagree on its value.  
    7 May 2025, 6:43 am
  • 23 minutes 25 seconds
    Starmer’s Reform funk
    Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy preview how the day will play out in British politics. 

    As Westminster gets back to work after last Thursday’s election results, is there the least surprising briefing ever to start the week? There’s a new crackdown on asylum claims days after Reform’s by-election and council victories. 

    We focus on the Labour reaction to those results this morning – from rumours of a reshuffle to shooting down stories about winter fuel changes. What is the best way to face down a very happy Nigel Farage? 
     
    6 May 2025, 6:56 am
  • 19 minutes 33 seconds
    Results special: What changes after Nigel Farage’s big night?
    Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy have a Friday episode to take stock of the by-election, mayoral and local election results so far. 

    Sam’s pulled an all-nighter to cover Reform’s victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election – it won by just six seats. It won the Greater Lincolnshire mayoralty too.  

    So it’s a morning of questions to ponder – how do bigger parties respond to the Reform victories?

    Could a Starmer visit to Runcorn have secured the few votes needed for victory there? And is Labour focussing on Reform voters at the expense of people at the other end of the political spectrum? 

    Plus, with lots of councils that were controlled by the Conservatives still to declare, at what point does someone mention Boris Johnson? 
    2 May 2025, 6:36 am
  • 21 minutes 26 seconds
    Tony Blair targets Ed Miliband
    The morning political podcast which gives you all need for the day ahead in 20 minutes, with Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy. 
     
    Back on British soil, Anne joins Sam to talk about Trump's 100 days in office and whether the President is really in a tough spot. 
     
    And there are reports that the US has decided a UK trade deal is a second or third order priority. Anne and Sam discuss why there has been a slowing down of the trade deal and - if and when it comes - will it be worth the wait?  
     
    Also, Sir Tony Blair has made a public intervention on Ed Miliband’s green agenda – he says there needs to be a radical reset of “irrational” net-zero policies because they are “doomed to fail”. But why is he doing this? 
    30 April 2025, 6:37 am
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