Politics At Sam and Anne's

The ‘Burnham Bounce’ is extending Labour’s lead in the polls – so are the Conservatives anywhere near ready to challenge?
Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack the latest polling numbers and what they mean for Kemi Badenoch as the party struggle to define its offer on the economy, triple lock and social care.
Back in London, Chancellor - John Healey - meets Britain’s biggest banks ahead of the Budget, amid growing speculation over tax rises and a key intervention from a former chief of staff to Rachel Reeves.
Plus, as the United States pull out their bombers from RAF Fairford, just how serious is the threat?

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?

As Labour attempt to reshape the political debate, can the Conservatives seize back the headlines?
Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy are on the conference floor in Birmingham, asking whether Kemi Badenoch can carve out a distinct Tory agenda – or whether the party is still playing catch-up.
From the pension triple lock to European Union membership, how can the Conservatives wrestle the narrative away from Andy Burnham? And does Kemi Badenoch have to become the Queen of Mean to do so?

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?

A lot has been said about the prime minister’s first speech as leader to the Labour party conference. But what didn’t Andy Burnham say?
Have the public understood the new PM’s big policy offer? And why was there nothing substantial on welfare reform?
Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the headline polling on the Burnham speech – wondering if the public back his triple lock ‘adjustment’ to fix social care and whether the numbers add up.
The duo also focus on why the prime minister has turned to reddit to get his message over – in a bid to beat the AI algorithm.
Remember you can catch up on the latest de-brief edition of Andy Burnham’s speech here.