Politics At Sam and Anne's

Andy Burnham’s political opponents are finding plenty of attack lines to throw at him. So, are past comments and policy positions – from WASPI women to calls for an early election – coming back to haunt the Burnham campaign?
Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy also wonder who is to blame for Keir Starmer’s troubles? Well, according to a focus group of Labour members – it's all the media’s fault!
The duo unpack the mood within the party and the continued paralysis at the heart of government – affecting everything from the delayed reset of relations with the EU to the even more delayed Defence Investment Plan.
You can see all the candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.

Has the unrest in Belfast sparked a new political battle over Britain’s immigration system
Political leaders have condemned the violent overnight protest after a Sudanese national was charged with attempted murder of a man in the city.
With parties scrambling to seize control of the narrative, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine how the case has reignited questions about immigration, border security and the UK's system of indefinite leave to remain.
Elsewhere, Nigel Farage holds his first major news conference since the local and national elections. Will Reform face renewed scrutiny over immigration decisions made by some of its leading figures during their time in Conservative government?
You can find the full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.

Is Andy Burnham having trouble putting clear teal water between himself and Nigel Farage, following comments calling for a tougher stance on immigration?
Sam Coates has more from Manchester on the state of the Burnham campaign and how his movements after the Makerfield by-election remain unclear.
Meanwhile, Anne McElvoy delves deeper into the defence dilemma – with military chiefs still reportedly in the dark over the contents of the Defence Investment Plan.
As Defence Secretary John Healey prepares to argue that Britain needs to build more military equipment at home, questions remain over whether the government has the money and political will to fund its ambition.
Plus, the duo check in on the latest polling numbers – did Reform UK’s bold response to the Henry Nowak killing fail to resonate with voters?
You can see a full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.

Can Keir Starmer wrestle back the spotlight from the Makerfield by-election?
After hosting world leaders in Downing Street and unveiling new plans for social media restrictions on children, the Prime Minister is trying to reclaim the agenda. But is the political attention still fixed on Andy Burnham in Manchester?
Sam Coates is on the ground in Manchester where the Labour bigwigs are out in force to support Burnham’s campaign. However, can the party balance the message for local voters while appealing to a national audience?
Plus, Anne McElvoy has some details on the delayed Defence Investment Plan as ministers race for a solution ahead of a key NATO summit next month.
A full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election can be found here.

With two weeks until the Makerfield by-election, does Andy Burnham really have a plan in place to run the country?
Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the policy ideas – including an ambitious expansion of social housing construction – which could form a future leadership pitch.
Back in Westminster, the duo assess the fierce political fallout from the murder of Henry Nowak after a tense PMQs. What does Nigel Farage’s intervention mean for the government and policing?
Plus, has the Prime Minister’s chief ally, Darren Jones, been dragged into the Peter Mandelson scandal – with the release of a series of mysterious texts?
You can see the full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.