Politics At Sam and Anne's

Global insecurity and transatlantic tensions dominate the agenda for Keir Starmer - but is the UK about to edge closer to the EU?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver a speech on plans to deepen the ties with the European Union, as Donald Trump ramps up the rhetoric on Britain’s limited involvement in the Iran war.
But - with oil and gas supplies under pressure - how long can the Prime Minister hold back from supporting the U.S. President before needing Washington’s help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to stabilise global supply chains?
Back in London, President Zelenskyy makes a visit to Downing Street - a timely reminder that the war in Ukraine against Russia rumbles on.
Plus, is Angela Rayner slowly making a return to front line politics and how does it fit in with Labour's promises of reform when they came in?

The U.S. President is pilling the pressure on the UK to back his war in Iran – but how long can Keir Starmer hold his nerve?
Barrels of oil remain above $100, and the Straits of Hormuz remain shut - all as Donald Trump casts doubt on the future of NATO for nations not co-operating with him.
Ahead of a key PM speech later today, Sam and Anne examine the diplomatic fallout and assess how Starmer will navigate an increasingly fraught relationship with Mr Trump.
Plus, what does all this mean for people back home with a potential energy bill price hike – does the government have a package of measures ready to help?

The release of the Mandelson files, war in the Middle East and a fresh cost-of-living crisis are all causing turmoil for the Prime Minister – but strangely, are they also doing him a favour?
The fallout from the first details of Peter Mandelson’s departure from Washington have already exposed the cracks between Keir Starmer and some advisors. With thousands more emails, messages and WhatsApps to come, this could be just the beginning.
But Sam and Anne assess how a lack of obvious successors might actually shore up the PM’s position.
Meanwhile, as the Iran war continues to escalate in the Middle East – pushing oil prices ever higher – Sam hears from government sources that contingency planning is already underway to soften the blow if energy bills surge.

The first wave of files relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador get released today.
Not only will we see emails, WhatsApps and minutes about the due diligence, any comments about the US president himself will also be there for us all to see.
Sam and Anne discuss the potential consequences.
Peter Mandelson denies any wrongdoing, including misconduct in public office. He has apologised to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims for remaining friends with him.
Plus, we’ve more on the tensions between defence chiefs and Downing Street.

The government, like the rest of us, is trying to work out where it stands this morning after Donald Trump swung from hitting Iran ‘twenty times harder’ to ending the war ‘very soon’.
If Trump’s got things to boiling point and now looking for an offramp – how will that make the UK response look?
Sam and Anne pick up on what they’re hearing about relations between the PM and his defence chiefs.
Back in Parliament, the Courts and Tribunal Bill returns to the Commons – we go over the streamlined plans for juries – and where any rebellion could come.
Plus, Kwasi Kwarteng, Nigel Farage and bitcoin.