Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists - Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard - provide the essential guide to politics in the week ahead. They look to what's in store at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester and Thursday's Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election. Plus, co-author of the Conservatives' 2019 election manifesto Rachel Wolf joins Jack and Sam to discuss Rishi Sunak's conference speech and how some Tories might be posturing themselves for next leader.Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: jackandsam@sky.uk or jackandsam@politico.co.uk

The Week... of the Conservative Party conference

Two of Westminster's best-connected journalists Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Jack Blanchard provide the essential guide to politics in the week ahead.They'll be across the key interviews, the stories and the entire political agenda in order to keep listeners ahead of the game in UK politics, straight from their homes each week.

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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 the government will be hoping to see the rate of inflation hit the Bank of England's 2% target as Rishi Sunak aims to claim a victory for some of his decisions in No 10.Plus, it’s a significant week for public inquiries. We get the long-awaited final report from the Infected Blood Inquiry, Paula Vennells will be questioned about her role as CEO at the Post Office and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case will appear at the COVID hearing.Meanwhile, Vaughan Gething, the new first minister of Wales, has been under pressure after he accepted a £200,000 donation for his leadership campaign from a company owned by a man twice convicted of environmental offences. Will he be facing a vote of no confidence? Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: jackandsam@sky.uk or jackandsam@politico.co.uk

The Week... Rishi Sunak hopes for an economic win

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. As fierce fighting continues in the Kharkiv region in Ukraine with Russia claiming it has control of more villages and Israel saying it will proceed with an assault on Rafah, Jack and Sam discuss how foreign affairs may take priority this week.How should MPs hold each other to account? It's a question that's plagued the Commons for years -and this week, MPs will be asked to debate and vote on proposals for how to deal with MPs accused - but not convicted - of serious offences. But will it cause more party problems than it's worth?And - there's a rare appearance from Sue Gray in Northern Ireland, as part of the COVID inquiry, plus why football could prove to be a new dividing line within the Conservative Party.Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: jackandsam@sky.uk

The Week… Rishi Sunak questions if we’d be safe under Labour

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. Following the local and mayoral elections, Jack and Sam discuss how Rishi Sunak will try to get back onto the front foot and whether the Conservative rebels will continue to plot against him.     They also predict that the country will come out of recession and look forward to a new SNP leader in Scotland following the resignation of Humza Yousaf. Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: jackandsam@sky.uk or jackandsam@politico.co.uk

The week... That Rishi Sunak looks on the bright side

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. The local and mayoral elections are trundling towards us, with Westminster set for the fallout. But don't expect Rishi Sunak to name the date of the general election anytime soon, despite rumours that some MPs are on manoeuvres - hear why on this episode. Plus, how will Labour use their predicted successes? And where will the other parties fall?To find a full list of mayoral candidates in each election, you can use the postcode search here.Heading north, Holyrood is also poised for an explosive week, with no confidence votes being put down against First Minister Humza Yousaf, and the Scottish government itself.Jack and Sam look how those votes could play out this week, and why former SNP leadership hopeful turned Alba MSP Ash Regan holds all the power.They also discuss deputy foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell's big week, and why Monday could throw up a major hot button issue in the House of Commons.Email with your thoughts and rate how their predictions play out: jackandsam@sky.uk 

The Week.. The local elections might throw up a surprise

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: jackandsam@sky.uk or jackandsam@politico.co.uk

The Week... of the Conservative Party conference

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