In The Room
Two former Westminster insiders reveal how politics and power really work. Each week former Deputy Cabinet Secretary Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson, former political advisor to Theresa May and Boris Johnson, dissect the week’s biggest news, revealing how decisions get made, why they go wrong, and what should happen next. In The Room is straight-talking, insider analysis with a dose of humour, every week.
Episodes
Why Andy Burnham might not be ready for No 10
Andy Burnham’s camp is caught between euphoria and fear. After his victory in the Makerfield by-election and Keir Starmer’s resignation, the path to No 10 appears to have opened up for the former Manchester mayor.On what would be his third attempt at the Labour leadership, Burnham could be prime minister by mid-July – and the UK’s seventh in ten years. But with the clock already ticking, is his te
Makerfield by-election: Has Andy Burnham united the left?
It wasn’t so close after all. Andy Burnham achieved 9,241 votes more than the second place Reform candidate, Robert Kenyon. Even talk of Restore Britain stealing votes from Reform mattered little in the end. The reality of the Makerfield by-election is it’s a thumping win for Labour’s Andy Burnham, and a disappointing night for Nigel Farage, whose attempts to dial up division in recent weeks didn’
Starmer activates legacy mode while Farage activates Substack
This week, Keir Starmer announced a ban on social media for under-16s. It’s a punchy policy announcement. And it’s a clear sign that he has activated legacy mode. Today, we ask: what will his legacy really look like? And why are prime ministers obsessed about their legacy? On the week of the announcement, Nigel Farage has dialled up his divisive rhetoric with a brand new Substack page. His numbers
Inside the by-election that could change UK politics
Next week will see one of the most consequential by-elections in UK political history. Journalists, pollsters and politicians are swamping the small market town near Wigan - where the voters of Makerfield could make Burnham king. At the time of recording, Labour are 10 points ahead of Reform in the polls. To close the gap, Reform must win a battle of ideas on the right, where Restore Bri
Mandelson files: 1,504 pointless pages?
After 83 days of waiting, the government has finally released the second tranche of files on the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador to Washington. The first tranche was already heavy on the filler, but the latest set of documents takes it to a whole new level. It features an incredible amount of seemingly pointless material: Mandelson’s resignation letter appears 8 times, there’s
Ex-SNP chief’s embezzlement scandal and the shady role of money in politics
A Dyson floor lamp, a £4,000 fountain pen, boxsets of Scandi noir TV dramas. These are just a handful of the items that former SNP Chief Executive Peter Murrell purchased with the £400k he embezzled from the party over the course of a decade. The full list is even longer. Murrell has been remanded in custody and likely faces lengthy prison time. Ever since the eruption of the 2009 MPs’ expens
Burnham or Brexit 2.0: Inside the leadership contest latest
With the writing seemingly on the wall for Keir Starmer, two contenders have already thrown their names into the ring for his job. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has launched an appeal to heartland Labour voters, suggesting he might be vying to initiate a "Brexit 2.0." Meanwhile, Andy Burnham, the "King of the North," has made it clear that if he wins the Makerfield by-election, he wants in
Bonus episode: Burnham's long path to power
It’s hotting up in the bid to become Labour leader. Angela Rayner’s tax affairs are cleared up, Wes Streeting has resigned as health secretary and Andy Burnham has found a route back to Westminster. But Keir Starmer is resolutely staying put – for now.Today, we analyse who really has the numbers, what the public thinks of all this and assess Andy Burnham’s chances of winning in Makerfield. Plus, C
Streeting, Burnham, Rayner: Coming for Starmer's job?
Keir Starmer is still clinging to power. But when this morning’s 9:30am cabinet meeting began, that outcome looked far from certain. More than 81 MPs have now called for him to step down - the number required to trigger a leadership contest - but only if they unite behind a single challenger. For now, they remain split. And, in characteristically procedural style, Starmer has managed to buy himsel
Local elections: Reform's big day out spells more trouble for Starmer
Labour is losing votes to the Greens and seats to Reform. Across England, Scotland and Wales, the electoral map is shifting in ways not seen for years. The foundations of the two-party system are looking more fragile than ever.In this bonus episode, we ask: are voters sending a message Westminster still isn’t hearing? What does history suggest about Starmer’s chances of staying in power? And what
Local elections: Green vs Reform heats up as Starmer comes out swinging
Local elections are often a stick used to beat the government with. That’s never been truer than in this Thursday’s contests. Across the country, voters are expected to desert Labour, exposing the real dividing lines in British politics that have been emerging since before the 2024 general election.In this week’s episode, we reveal whether Labour can survive a two-front battle against Reform and t
Keir Starmer vs the world: How the PM made his job so much harder
His own MPs are turning on him, the civil service are raging at him and, at next week’s local elections, the public will likely express their unhappiness too. All of this has made Keir Starmer’s job a lot harder.Today, we analyse how Starmer’s handling of the Mandelson vetting scandal has significantly weakened relations with the civil service, why putting a three-line whip on his own MPs is alway
Does Olly Robbins' testimony signal the end for Starmer?
Westminster watchers have had their popcorn out over the past 24 hours.On Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was grilled by MPs for two hours. A day later, Sir Olly Robbins, the sacked Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office, gave a meticulous account to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. The result: fresh doubts over Starmer’s handling of Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambass
Bonus episode: Has Keir Starmer made a huge mistake sacking Olly Robbins over Mandelson vetting?
There’s a new development in the Mandelson-Epstein-Starmer scandal – and as usual, it raises more questions over No. 10’s dealings than it answers. In this emergency broadcast Helen and Cleo break down the newest revelations about Mandelson’s failed security vetting: Why did the Foreign Office overrule it? How do these processes actually work? And could sacking Olly Robbins shape up to be Starmer’
‘Not ready for war’: Can Starmer protect the UK?
In the midst of the US-Iran war, Lord Robertson, former Labour defence secretary and NATO chief, didn’t hold back this week. With local elections looming, the Labour grandee stepped into the defence debate, warning the UK is “not safe” and “underprepared” for war.But how much of that falls on Starmer’s government - and how much is the result of years of neglect of Britain’s core military strength:
Ceasefire: What’s next for the UK?
What happens inside government when the US President Donald Trump threatens to “destroy a whole civilisation”?As tensions spike following extraordinary comments from Donald Trump, former Deputy Cabinet Secretary Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson, ex-advisor to Theresa May and Boris Johnson, take you inside the rooms where officials scramble to respond to the unpredictable. From emergency calls with
Silent discos and kickabouts: Can MPs catch a break?
Whilst much of the country is enjoying a long Easter weekend, it’s far harder for MPs to switch off. And when they do, they might just end up getting lampooned for it. This week Keir Starmer was ridiculed for his 5-a-side prowess, while Labour MP for Walthamstow Stella Creasy faced criticism for posting a clip of herself dancing at a silent disco. In the midst of the US Iran war and a deepeni
Stockpiling fuel, panic buying loo roll - are we prepped for war?
This week, as Blackrock big boss Larry Fink warned we could be heading for a global recession if the US Iran war continues, we discuss whether people should be prepping for what’s to come. From whether you should have a jerry can of fuel in your garage, to why you should be jotting down your favourite radio stations. Helen and Cleo look back at Covid times, when loo roll was in short supply a
Energy crisis: Is Farage really going to pay your bills?
This week, as the war in the Middle East escalated, energy prices were soaring while the government scrambled to provide emergency support. Some £53million was announced by Ed Milliband, but is it really enough to help families who are struggling with the cost of living?In this episode we pull apart the UK’s cost of living malaise: Nigel Farage’s headline‑grabbing pledge to pay the energy bills of
Definitive guide to Mandelson files: All filler, no killer?
Last month, Parliament demanded the government release the Mandelson files. What followed was five long weeks of waiting.This week, the Prime Minister’s Chief Secretary, Darren Jones, finally stepped up to announce their release. So, what’s inside? A total of 147 pages: 10 pages of contents and introduction, 28 entirely blank pages, 30 pages of standard HR guidance. All filler, no killer?In this e
Inside Downing Street when war breaks out
A week is a long time in politics. After a crushing by-election defeat last week, the Prime Minister was hoping for a quiet week to recalibrate. Instead, he got a new war. The US and Israel’s joint attack on Iran has set in motion a whole new set of pressures on his government; navigating the ‘Special Relationship’ with the US, confronting the long shadow of Iraq hanging over the Labour Party and
Mandelson and Starmer: Is the HR process to blame?
The fallout from the Prime Minister’s decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador isn’t going away. But it’s far from his only controversial hire.Former Deputy Cabinet Secretary Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson, former No. 10 special advisor, analyse Downing Street's hiring and firing crisis.They explain how hiding behind "process" is actively damaging Starmer’s ability to lead with integr
Starmer: Symptoms of a PM in trouble
What does it feel like to be inside Number 10 when the PM’s power is fading? With pressure mounting for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to go, former Deputy Cabinet Secretary Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson, ex-advisor to Theresa May and Boris Johnson, reveal the sights, sounds - and even smells - that emerge when the foundations at 10 Downing Street start to shake. They also offer up some sa
In The Room - Trailer
Two former Westminster insiders reveal how politics and power really work. Ever wondered what goes on behind closed doors at No 10? Or who’s the first person on the phone when a Prime Minister lands themselves in hot water? Each week former Deputy Cabinet Secretary Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson, former political advisor to Theresa May and Boris Johnson, dissect the week’s biggest news,
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