Politics At Sam and Anne's

As the political drama over Peter Mandelson spills into the Commons - with another climbdown and a damaging revelation – it raises the bigger question: How secure is the Keir Starmer premiership?
With some MPs calling for Starmer to go – along with his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney – pressure is mounting over the stark confession that the PM knew about Mandelson’s continuing relationship with Jeffrey Epstein before he was appointed the UK’s ambassador to the US.
Elsewhere, has Andy Burnham actually improved his leadership chances by being barred from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election?
Plus, Sam and Anne gauge the mood in the Labour party to figure out what happens next to Keir Starmer.

Another day and another podcast dominated by Peter Mandelson – but as the political pressure ramps up across parliament, how will No10 react and is the carnage over?
In a frantic 24 hours, Lord Mandelson gave up his peerage and is facing a criminal investigation over alleged leaking of sensitive material to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Facing a key Conservative vote in the commons later today can Keir Starmer bury his associations with Peter Mandelson and his decision to appoint him as the UK’s ambassador to the United States?
Plus, Sam explains the significance of the battle ahead in parliament between the Prime Minister, his own MPs and opposition parties on whether he will be forced to disclose sensitive information.

Peter Mandelson is still the main topic for discussion on the podcast again – as Anne reports back from an event with the US ambassador to London.
Sam and Anne both pick over Mandelson’s interview with the Times – where, beyond the photos at the Aga, he seems to hint that there’s still a way back to politics by saying “I want to be more of an outsider”.
At last night's event, Anne picks up on U.S. reaction to the Mandelson saga – but there is a stark warning for transatlantic business relations.
Plus, what does all this mean for the Prime Minister and his senior staff who appointed Mandelson to Ambassador?

As another large dossier of Epstein files comes into the public domain – Lord Peter Mandelson resigns his membership to the Labour party, claiming he “doesn’t want to cause further embarrassment” – but is that the end or only the beginning?
Sam and Anne assess the political ramifications for Mr Mandelson and whether his links to the convicted paedophile – Jeffrey Epstein - will force him to give up his peerage.
Elsewhere, the Prime Minister wades in on whether Andrew Mountbatten Windsor should testify in front of congress about his involvement with Epstein - how will that go down in the palace?

Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets China’s President Xi calling for a “more sophisticated relationship” - but can both nations achieve that amidst global uncertainty?
Sam and Anne dive into the details, looking at who is on the trip and reflect on the “twists and turns” of the relations between the two nations.
Back in London, is the assisted dying bill on its last legs with the clock ticking on the time to debate and scrutinise the legislation in the House of Lords.
Plus, have the welfare reforms – led by Pat McFadden – been shelved for the foreseeable future?