Politics At Sam and Anne's

No wonder the new prime minister is feeling chipper. Labour and Reform are now neck and neck in the polls for first time in more than a year. The biggest change? Among young voters.
But the ‘Burnham Bounce’ doesn’t stop there – with the PM not only having the pleasure of meeting President Zelenskyy on a visit to a naval base but also our very own Sam Coates.
Sam tells Anne McElvoy about his time with Andy Burnham and how his positivity and communication skills are a clear change from some of his predecessors.
The duo also discuss the latest policy announcement from No.10. This time, a radical shift in the education system that will allow teenagers to take technical subjects alongside academic ones. But how will this actually work in practice?

Andy Burnham came into office promising the biggest change in Britain for 40 years. But one week into his premiership, is Britain seeing transformation or just a different style of politics?
As Burnham unveils plans on social care, devolution and welfare, Sam and Anne ask just how big the policies announced by Burnham actually are. Is this just a continuation of Starmer with a new face?
They also discuss Burnham's foreign policy as he prepares to welcome Volodymyr Zelenskyy later today at a British naval base.

The latest policy announcement from Burnham’s new government is a 20% tax break for pubs, clubs and live music venues. That means that pub could save an estimated £1,100 a year.
Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy delve into the details and again ask, how will this be funded?
The two also discuss Burnham’s communication style and if it might need more discipline now that he’s in No.10. This is in light of the new PM’s comments on a potential review of early prison release in England and Wales.
Also, the Foreign Office has withdrawn its remaining UK staff from Iran as Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Tehran. Sam and Anne talk about what this could mean for the new Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.

Andy Burnham wants to talk about his new bus fare cap but, and Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy point out, there isn’t much chance to talk about anything else without the Commons sitting.
They go through how the bus fare plan is funded. Chancellor John Healey says it will be “no burden to British taxpayers” but the small print raises questions about how the scheme will be funded.
At the Farnborough Air Show, there is chance to talk defence spending – and fresh questions about how to fill the funding gap from Keit Starmer’s pledges.
Plus, Sam and Anne round-up the latest ministerial movements.

The Andy Burnham era is underway, and the new prime minister is kicking off with a bang – cutting VAT on electricity bills.
He promised the country some “breathing space” on the cost of living, but with prices still rising will anyone actually feel better off? And is it properly funded?
Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine what the announcement shows about Burnham’s direction of travel in government, as his new cabinet gathers for the first time.
Plus, the duo unpack the biggest cabinet appointments – from John Healey as chancellor to Wes Streeting at Defence – after many Starmer loyalists were shown the door.