Will the Prime Minister ever escape the ghost of Peter Mandelson and his decision to appoint the ‘Prince of Darkness’ as the UK’s ambassador to Washington?

With fresh committee hearings looming – including an appearance from Cabinet Office permanent secretary Cat Little – and senior ministers appearing uncomfortable defending No10 on the airwaves, Sam and Anne ask if the row is anywhere near its peak.

The duo also examine the growing tension between Downing Street and the civil service and whether pulling top mandarins into political warfare risks lasting damage to the system.

Over on Planet Tory, Anne has an update on the rumoured reshuffle of Kemi Badenoch’s shadow cabinet.

Plus, why isn’t the government more worried about a shortage of jet fuel due to the Iran war?

Has the Prime Minister and No10 weathered the storm on the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal?

With the dust only beginning to settle, Sam and Anne dissect the mixed, uncomfortable and carefully worded reactions from senior figures across the Labour party after Olly Robbins’ combative session in parliament.

Keir Starmer braces for another grilling from MPs at Prime Minister Questions on the Mandelson saga but has he contained the damage, or has he been left out in the cold to face it alone?

Away from Starmer drama, the duo look at the latest polling in Wales where Reform seem to be making ground on Plaid Cymru.

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?

What is the Prime Minister’s top priority as he faces down a critical month? He has a busy basket of problems on the domestic and foreign front – all set on the backdrop of a crucial set of elections.

In the Middle East, with no peace deal between the U.S. and Iran and the Strait of Hormuz still blocked, a leading think tank issues some stark warnings about the impact on British households.

In Parliament, as the session draws to a close, MPs face the mammoth task of sifting through 17 pieces of legislation – ranging from the Hillsborough Law to GB Rail – to decide whether they progress or fall.

Plus, what does the fall of Hungary's Victor Orban mean for Europe, Russia and Ukraine?