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.

As Iran names its new supreme leader oil prices skyrocket, sending shockwaves across the global economy – but how will the UK government deal with the issue?

President Trump claims the surge is a “small price to pay” for peace - but as G7 finance leaders hold an emergency meeting later today can they find ways to limit the damage?

Sam and Anne discuss the steps Keir Starmer can take to reassure the public, if the conflict could hit people’s pockets and whether there is potential of world economies collapsing under the pressure.

The pair also consider the increasingly turbulent “special relationship's”: is it just a one-way street?

Plus, with the courts bill returning to the House of Commons tomorrow will we get a picture of how big a potential rebellion could be?

As the war in the Middle East enters its sixth day, questions remain over the Prime Minister’s stance – but did a cabinet revolt shape the UK’s response?

Reports suggest Keir Starmer was in favour of granting the US access to UK military bases sooner, but was overruled by an alliance of Yvette Cooper, Ed Miliband, Rachel Reeves and Lord Hermer.

Sam and Anne unpack the power dynamics at the top of government and the pressure the PM faces from international allies – some of whom are wondering which side Britain is on.

Away from the conflict, Home Secretary Shabanna Mahmood unveils tougher immigration plans in a major speech - but will the rhetoric cross the line?

Plus, the duo have insider gossip from Morgan McSweeney’s leaving do.

“This is not Winston Churchill we are dealing with here” - the words of Donald Trump as he attacks Keir Starmer over the UK’s approach to the Iran war - but does this mark a new low for the transatlantic relationship?

As the conflict in the Middle East rages on, the UK deploy military hardware to Cyprus to protect its assets, is this a further sign the UK is being dragged into the war?

Sam and Anne assess if events have overshadowed the Spring Forecast, examine where the UK stands in its special relationship with the United States and look at whether Whitehall is preparing for months of war.

Remember, you can get a full analysis of the Rachel Reeves’ Spring Forecast in Politics at Sam and Anne’s The Debrief here

The Chancellor has been on her feet in the Commons – the backdrop?

The momentous conflict unfolding in the Middle East - so was it a “non-event” that dated almost immediately?

Or did the Spring forecast give us clues to the direction of the government?

Rachel Reeves reiterated that her economic plan was “the right plan” but have the government made certain assumptions and do the OBR agree with them?

Sam at the Resolution Foundation thinktank and Anne in Berlin debrief the contents of Spring Forecast and pour over all key economic indicators - with a focus on areas which might be trouble down the tracks.

Its Spring Forecast day but as the war continues across the Middle East – is the special relationship now under threat?

Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and U.S. President, Donald Trump, trade blows on the legality of the military action but is Britain military and economically ready for what’s to come?

Sam and Anne look at all options on the table and assess whether this could impact the Spring Forecast, and more importantly, people’s pockets.

Elsewhere, we have an exclusive poll which puts the Greens on a stronger footing with the public.

Plus, should MPs be paid close to £100,000 a year?

After a weekend of destabilisation and tension across the Middle East, the UK allows the U.S. to use its military bases for attacks in Iran – but what challenges do the government face?

The U.S. President says he will continue bombings on Iran until “all objectives are met” posing problems for Keir Starmer with thousands of Brits stuck in the region and hundreds of oil tankers dropping anchor around the Strait of Hormuz.

Sam and Anne examine the domestic and political reaction; the tight rope the Prime Minister is walking to maintain a working relationship with Donald Trump and how costly this could be on people’s day-to-day lives.

Tomorrow, Sam and Anne will bring you a bonus de-brief episode on the Spring Forecast, which will be in your feed's late afternoon.

The plumber come politician – Hannah Spencer – claims a seismic and historic win for the Greens at the Gorton and Denton by-election but, where does this leave the Keir Starmer project?

Sam and Anne examine what this means for the Prime Minister, who will be left soul searching after a massive collapse in their vote within the Manchester suburb.

The duo also consider:

1. Is the Labour vote bleeding from both the left and the right flanks of the party?
2. Is this truly the end of two-party politics in Britain?
3. What are the consequences of this result and has the blame game began?