Politics At Sam and Anne's

The news agenda may be dominated by Olly Robbins’ highly-anticipated evidence session to MPs on the Mandelson scandal – but is an even more significant story unfolding elsewhere?
Cabinet ministers and other senior Labour figures (but not the Prime Minister) will gather at a key conference – setting out competing visions on growth, energy security and economic policy. Are they positioning themselves for a future without Keir Starmer?
Sam and Anne assess what Labour grandees can do to revive the party’s public standing and define what happens next.
Plus, the duo have their weekly check-in on the state of the polls, and wonder whether the Mandelson saga has had an impact.

The Prime Minister faces another defining day as he confronts MPs over one question - when did he and No10 learn that Peter Mandelson had failed his security vetting?
Keir Starmer has blamed top foreign office diplomat - Sir Olly Robbins - for not telling him, but allies of the mandarin are fighting back ahead of his expected appearance before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee tomorrow.
Sam and Anne unpack the competing claims, the ongoing fallout and whether this has become a defining crisis for the PM - just a fortnight before the local and national elections.
And, away from the fighting in Westminster, are Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner already planning for a future without Keir Starmer?
Plus, is a Kemi Badenoch shadow cabinet reshuffle on the cards?

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?