21 APR 2024 · Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News's Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide you through their top predictions for the next seven days in British politics.      This week, they react to MP Mark Menzies' resignation from the Conservative Party after facing allegations of misusing campaign funds, and look at what it might mean for the next election.  Also this week, Rishi Sunak is packing his bags for Europe. Jack and Sam discuss what's on the trip's agenda, including highly anticipated announcements on the defence of Ukraine as well as the UK's wider defence and warfare strategy.    Mr Sunak's Rwanda plan could finally pass through parliament too, more than five months after he unveiled the emergency laws. Jack and Sam reveal the final stage will be far from straightforward though, with MPs told to expect a long night in the Commons.    Plus, Angela Rayner is standing in for Keir Starmer at PMQs this week, the first time she's been in the Commons since police announced they were investigating allegations see may broken electoral law over information she gave about her living situation a decade ago. Jack and Sam discuss how she'll deal with the mounting pressure.    Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: https://sky.uk or https://politico.co.uk      

14 APR 2024 · Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News's Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide you through their top predictions for the next seven days in British politics.     With Parliament returning after the Easter break, this week Jack and Sam discuss the government’s response to Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack against Israel – and how it will get across that it supports Israel’s right to self-defence but also wants a de-escalation of tensions.     They also discuss where the claims about deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner’s tax affairs go from here.     They look forward to the final stages of the Conservative’s Rwanda Bill; the fallout from the Westminster honeytrap scandal; and a vote on anti-smoking laws are all up for debate this week.  Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: https://sky.uk or https://politico.co.uk       

24 MAR 2024 · Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News's Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide you through their top predictions for the next seven days in British politics.   This week, Jack and Sam discuss why defence and security - both domestic and foreign - will be a big focus as they look at reaction to Friday's terror attack in Russia and claims that China has been behind cyber attacks targeting MPs and peers, threatening British democracy.   Plus, there's Rishi Sunak's final appearance before the Easter break as he faces questions from the liaison committee on topics including global issues, the economy and public services.  Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: mailto:jackandsam@sky.uk or mailto:jackandsam@politico.co.uk

17 MAR 2024 · Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide you through their top predictions for the next seven days in British politics.  This week, Jack and Sam discuss the building pressure around Rishi Sunak’s premiership, and how the ongoing tensions between the prime minister and Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch may spill into events this week. Plus, they address the weekend rumours about Penny Mordaunt as a potential leadership rival. There's a big moment for shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, as she delivers a speech at a major event for the world of banking. Will her plans for the nation, should Labour win the election, impress the finance sector? And – which shadow cabinet member do we see most often grilled by Kay Burley and the other breakfast shows while nursing our morning cuppa? Sky’s Izzy Loseff has crunched the numbers, and Jack and Sam tell you what it says about who the Labour leader trusts to deliver his message. Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: jackandsam@sky.uk or jackandsam@politico.co.uk      

10 MAR 2024 · Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News's Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide us through their predictions of how British politics will play out over the next seven days.        This week, Jack and Sam discuss Communities Secretary Michael Gove's plan to change the definition of extremism and how important it really is. The current counter-extremism strategy is overdue an update, but the proposed new language seems broad.   Plus, the fallout from last week's budget - Jack and Sam explore the political landscape as it continues to reverberate through Westminster.   And with Ramadan beginning this week and no ceasefire in Gaza, how will the UK's support of a 'maritime corridor' for aid shape up?  Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: https://sky.uk/ or https://politico.co.uk/     

3 MAR 2024 · Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News's Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide us through their predictions of how British politics will play out over the next seven days. This week – Jack and Sam do their best to predict what Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has up his sleeve for his second, and possibly final, budget statement on Wednesday. They discuss if national insurance or income tax could be cut and what language Mr Hunt might use about money for public services. Away from the budget – is the toxic mood of Westminster likely to ease at all this week as George Galloway makes a return to the Commons? Plus, the Rwanda bill in the Lords and Super Tuesday in the US. Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: https://sky.uk/ or https://politico.co.uk/

1 MAR 2024 · Today, something different – we're bringing you the trailer of an exciting new podcast from Sky called Electoral Dysfunction. Beth Rigby. Jess Philips. Ruth Davidson. With polls suggesting trust in politicians is low, three political powerhouses unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. Every week, they will examine our political leaders and their policies – how they’re written, and how they’re sold to voters – as we prepare for a general election.  With so much at stake, they will work out which politicians are coming out on top and who is having an Electoral Dysfunction – and what it all actually means for you. Here's the trailer. For more, follow Electoral Dysfunction now wherever you listen to podcasts.

25 FEB 2024 · Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News's Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide us through their predictions of how British politics will play out over the next seven days. This week Jack and Sam discuss whether Sir Lindsay Hoyle will be forced to bow out as Speaker of the House following his opposition day blunder over the Gaza ceasefire vote. As the SNP continues to push for another debate day with a meaningful vote, will he survive the political pressure coming at him from all sides? Plus, Jack and Sam look at increasingly tense public protests over Gaza, the growing safety risk facing MPs, how the Conservative Party will handle outspoken MPs accused of stoking racial divides and what the fallout will be after the Rochdale by-election on Thursday. Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: https://sky.uk/ or https://politico.co.uk/

18 FEB 2024 · Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists, Sky News's Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard, guide us through their predictions of how British politics will play out over the next seven days. It's looking to be another big week for foreign affairs. Jack and Sam discuss what Britain can actually do after the death of Alexei Navalny. Plus, what the fall of Avdiivka means for the war in Ukraine ahead of the two-year anniversary of the invasion this week. Meanwhile, after a tumultuous recess week, MPs are back. It's looking like a busy week ahead for Lord Cameron too, starting at the Munich Security Conference – but where was Rishi Sunak? Plus, what can we expect from parliament's newest members? Gen Kitchen and Damian Egan, who last Friday morning were elected the Labour MPs for Wellingborough and Kingswood respectively, will be sworn into the Commons. Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: https://sky.uk/ or https://politico.co.uk/

11 FEB 2024 · A different week for Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Jack Blanchard as they preview and predict the biggest moments for British politics in the week ahead. As it’s Commons recess, they’re not together as they record the podcast – Sam is in a sauna in Finland and Jack is in his mum's spare room in Stockport. On this episode, what will the Tories’ mood be on Friday morning as they digest the by-election results from Wellingborough and Kingswood? Meanwhile, the spotlight is on Labour after comments made by the party’s candidate for the Rochdale by-election, which takes place later this month. You can find a full list of the candidates https://news.sky.com/story/labour-candidate-wrong-to-say-israel-allowed-7-october-attack-but-will-still-stand-in-by-election-13069105. And could it feel like a bleak week for the economy with the prospect of inflation rising and the latest GDP figures possibly suggesting a recession at the end of last year. Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: https://sky.uk/ or https://politico.co.uk/