• 21 minutes 30 seconds
    Why Reform’s donation will change British politics

    Will a record breaking £72 million change the face of British politics?

    After receiving two of the biggest political donations in history - £36 million each from crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harbone.

    Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the political fallout - are the donations legal, will the government legislate to stop them and how does this vast sum of money influence British politics?

    Elsewhere at the TUC conference in Brighton, the unions are ramping up the pressure on the government to deliver more for workers.

    Plus, could former Prime Minister – Liz Truss – really be plotting a return to frontline politics?

    14 September 2026, 7:52 am
  • 19 minutes 50 seconds
    Why Burnham is making holidays more expensive

    Having spent the summer trying to ease the cost of living, is a new tourist tax about to hit domestic holiday makers in the pocket?

    The government is giving mayors additional powers to introduce a levy on hotel stays, with no cap on how much they can charge.

    With the tourism industry already angry, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the move and why the timing maybe a little uncomfortable for the government.

    Elsewhere, Sky News has uncovered more turmoil in Reform-run local councils. With the Metropolitan Police also widening their investigation into allegations of illegal foreign donations, how much trouble is Reform and leader Nigel Farage really in?

    Plus, the Assisted Dying Bill returns to parliament tomorrow – can it clear its first major hurdle for a second time? And Anne assesses the international fallout from the UK’s action over Israel.

    You can watch Cathy Newman’s full investigation into Durham's Reform-led Council here.

    10 September 2026, 6:54 am
  • 20 minutes 55 seconds
    Is Andy Burnham talking about the right stuff?

    There’s fallout to the UK’s move to announce sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

    Israel is closing the UK’s consulate in Jerusalem and considering other measures.

    Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at the reaction and wonder if the new PM should also be giving attention to other matters overseas.

    Elsewhere, Sam’s got a story about a big government growth initiative which, so far, hasn’t done much.

    And, is the bleak economic picture making John Healey’s budget harder by the day?

    9 September 2026, 6:54 am
  • 19 minutes 30 seconds
    Inside Burnham’s big Israel gamble

    Britain is about to take its toughest stance yet against Israel – but will it make a difference, or will it leave the UK isolated on the international stage?

    Andy Burnham and Ed Miliband will unveil a package of sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank, putting Britain at the forefront of the G7’s effort to pressure Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

    Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine what the move means in practice - and why the government has chosen to act now.

    But with tensions rising, will the move impact the UK’s relationship with the United States and Israel?

    Plus, after a turbulent conference, have Reform UK seen a bounce in the polls and could it give an early indication for the direction of travel for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election?

    8 September 2026, 7:08 am
  • 21 minutes 55 seconds
    Is Healey really a risk taker?

    Can the chancellor deliver growth without breaking his own self-imposed fiscal rules?

    John Healey will set out his vision for the economy this morning, but with pressure mounting on the public finances, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy ask whether he is preparing to flex the rules to make it happen.

    Amidst an increasingly turbulent economic backdrop, the duo examine the warning lights beginning to flash – from the rising cost of borrowing to the instability of mortgage rates – and what it could mean for households and the government’s room for manoeuvre

    Plus, as the AfD romp to victory in the German state election, Anne gives her take on where it all goes next.

    7 September 2026, 6:48 am
  • 27 minutes 29 seconds
    Farage falters: Sam and Anne's verdict

    A launchpad for power – or a warning of problems to come for Reform UK?

    Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy debrief Reform UK’s biggest ever party conference and ask if the past few days have marked a turning point in Nigel Farage’s political career.

    The duo examine the fallout from the Channel 4 investigation involving two of Farage’s closest aides - and whether it raises fresh questions about the party’s readiness for power.

    Behind the headlines, Sam and Anne also discuss the increasingly visible battle between Robert Jenrick and Zia Yusuf for the soul of Reform.

    Has Reform already peaked in its quest for power – or is Nigel Farage still on course to occupy No10?

    Reform’s Robert Jenrick spoke to Sky News about the Channel 4 claims on Saturday.

    6 September 2026, 12:36 pm
  • 22 minutes 50 seconds
    Can "ratty" Farage get his mojo back?

    As Reform UK kick off conference season in Birmingham, Nigel Farage appears to have some work to do.

    The party has gone from dominating the political conversation to facing a fall in polling numbers, mounting scandals and fresh questions over Farage’s leadership.

    Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy preview a crucial three days for Reform, with major announcements expected on migration and the economy – while a French connection could be significant.

    Elsewhere, the Conservatives are ramping up the pressure on Andy Burnham over defence spending, unveiling their own plan on how they would cut welfare to fund more money for the military.

    Plus, ahead of Sunday’s state elections in Germany, Anne reports from the campaign trail on the rise of the far-right AfD party and her dramatic encounter at a rally in Lützen.

    Sam and Anne will return on Sunday afternoon for a special de-brief episode to reflect on the Reform party conference.

    3 September 2026, 6:54 am
  • 21 minutes 22 seconds
    Is Burnham living in a economic dreamland?

    As Andy Burnham prepares for his first Prime Minister’s Questions, he faces a gathering economic storm.

    With markets driving up government borrowing costs and the prospect of another interest rate rise, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine what the turmoil could mean for mortgage holders, public spending and the government plans going forward.

    Could the chancellor be left with almost no room for manoeuvre ahead of October’s budget?

    The duo also look ahead to the looming Holborn and St Pancras by-election and whether the Green Party leader – Zac Polanski – will consider standing?

    Plus, as Emmanuel Macron arrives in Britain, why are the French taking such a keen interest in the new PM.

    2 September 2026, 6:49 am
  • 21 minutes 35 seconds
    Burnham enters the political bearpit

    Parliament is back and the honeymoon is over - Andy Burnham now faces his first major test as Prime Minister.

    The PM will make his Commons debut as he promises to “bring back hope” and make life more affordable. But with pressure on public finances can he deliver on his promises to cut energy bills, cap bus fares and slash business rates?

    Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the gap between Burnham’s ambitious promises and the tough reality facing the government.

    And the duo look at how Kemi Badenoch plans to puncture the Burnham bounce with her shadow cabinet reshuffle.

    1 September 2026, 6:49 am
  • 34 minutes 41 seconds
    Sam and Anne's guide to the term ahead

    After a summer of setting out his stall, Andy Burnham now faces the hard task: turning ambition into action.

    In the last of the summer boxset, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy take a deep dive into five big challenges facing the government in the coming months.

    From defining the 10-year plan to unresolved pressure at home and abroad, the duo give their take and analysis for a critical parliamentary term ahead.

    With party conferences and a key budget on the horizon, can Burnham's government deliver on the change it has promised?

    24 August 2026, 6:30 am
  • 29 minutes 53 seconds
    What will Burnham do on defence?

    Is Britain ready for war?

    In the third instalment of Sam and Anne’s Summer Boxset, they’re joined by Sky’s Defence and Security Analyst Professor Michael Clarke to ask: can Burnham’s government keep Britain safe?

    From Ukraine to the Middle East, the trio examine the challenge facing Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and ask can the government afford what it wants to do on defence?

    They also ask whether Burnham will approach Trump differently to Starmer and what the possible blowback from providing Ukraine with weapons to strike Russia could be.

    18 August 2026, 9:57 am
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