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In The Room

In The Room

By: The Independent / Next Chapter Studios
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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, 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.


This podcast is part of The Independent Podcast Network and is produced in association with Next Chapter Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Independent
Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Inside the by-election that could change UK politics
    Jun 10 2026

    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 Britain are currently polling at 8%. In this episode, Helen and Cleo discuss what happens if Burnham actually wins - will he become prime minister any time soon? And is Keir Starmer really in ‘legacy mode’?


    Find the best clips from the podcast and more from Helen and Cleo on the show's Instagram page here.


    This podcast is part of The Independent Podcast Network and is produced in association with Next Chapter Studios


    Executive Producers: Olivia Foster and Carrie Rose

    Producer: Sam Durham

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Mandelson files: 1,504 pointless pages?
    Jun 2 2026

    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 pages of printed versions of Microsoft Teams notifications and the full transcript of a President Trump interview with ABC News.


    Today, we dissect the files, picking out the parts that do really tell us a lot - in particular about how Peter Mandelson himself operated behind the scenes.



    Find the best clips from the podcast and more from Helen and Cleo on the show's Instagram page here.


    This podcast is part of The Independent Podcast Network and is produced in association with Next Chapter Studios


    Executive Producers: Olivia Foster and Carrie Rose

    Producer: Sam Durham

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • Ex-SNP chief’s embezzlement scandal and the shady role of money in politics
    May 27 2026

    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’ expenses scandal, there’s been a dark cloud of mistrust over politicians. Yet some politicians still play fast and loose with public trust, morality and transparency.


    Today, we discuss the shady world of money in politics. We'll also debate whether MPs ought to have a pay rise - and you might be surprised about the outcome.

    Find the best clips from the podcast and more from Helen and Cleo on the show's Instagram page here.


    This podcast is part of The Independent Podcast Network and is produced in association with Next Chapter Studios


    Executive Producers: Olivia Foster and Carrie Rose

    Producer: Sam Durham

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
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