Politics At Sam and Anne's

With three weeks to polling day, postal voting is underway in local and devolved elections across the UK - but will the process stay clean and how much could deepfakes distort the campaign?
In Scotland, an almighty row has erupted between Labour and Reform over an alleged behind-the-scenes alliance to remove the SNP, with both parties branding each other liars.
Down in Wales, questions are being raised over whether a party could win the most votes yet fail to form the next administration under the new voting system.
Sam hears from the CEO of the Electoral Commission about the threat of deepfakes and a new pilot scheme to detect them.
Away from the campaign trail, Anne has been speaking to the new German ambassador to the UK, who has struck up an unlikely friendship with a potential challenger to Keir Starmer.
Plus, details of plans being drawn up for a “worst-case scenario” over food shortages if the Strait of Hormuz remains shut.
You can find all the candidates standing in the local and national elections across the country here.

Donald Trump unloads another scathing attack on Keir Starmer – throwing out threats and casting doubt on the special relationship once again – raising fresh question about what could happen next.
All very awkward as the Chancellor touches down in Washington for a key IMF meeting and a state visit from King Charles looms on the horizon.
Away from Trump-Starmer division – Sam and Anne unpack the reaction to yesterday’s exclusive revelation on the podcast that defence chiefs are trying to find more cuts to the defence budget. Is Rachel Reeves under more pressure to find cash for them?
Plus, Sam has a scoop on the energy price cap and a scheme which could help businesses.
If you want more analysis on that Donald Trump phone call with Mark Stone – listen to the latest episode of Trump 100 podcast here.

The man who wrote Keir Starmer’s defence review says the Government is putting the UK ‘in peril’ at a time of war.
With more pressure to overhaul the defence budget, Sam reveals that talks going on this week to find billions of pounds worth of savings from this year’s MOD budget.
Also – has Ed Miliband shifted his stance on new North Sea oil and gas drilling?
Plus, in our weekly polls check-in: are the Greens shifting the dial of momentum in their favour?

What is the Prime Minister’s top priority as he faces down a critical month? He has a busy basket of problems on the domestic and foreign front – all set on the backdrop of a crucial set of elections.
In the Middle East, with no peace deal between the U.S. and Iran and the Strait of Hormuz still blocked, a leading think tank issues some stark warnings about the impact on British households.
In Parliament, as the session draws to a close, MPs face the mammoth task of sifting through 17 pieces of legislation – ranging from the Hillsborough Law to GB Rail – to decide whether they progress or fall.
Plus, what does the fall of Hungary's Victor Orban mean for Europe, Russia and Ukraine?

With one month to go until the local elections in England, Wales and Scotland - is the electoral map about to be redrawn?
In his first major test since the general election, Sir Keir Starmer faces a major health check and verdict on his government and leadership. Could the results reshape his premiership?
In this special episode, Sam and Anne are joined by elections analyst Professor Rob Ford to discuss the key battlegrounds across the country.
Can the SNP hold on for a fifth term at Holyrood?
Could Welsh Labour lose power in the Senedd for the first time in its electoral history?
Will Reform UK and the Greens' surge end the conventional two-party political system for good?
Can the Conservatives stop the bleeding of votes across the board?
Was the Liberal Democrat revival short-lived?

Sam and Anne return for daily episodes from Monday 13 April.