In The Room
Claim This Podcastby The Independent / Next Chapter Studios
Podcast Overview
<p>Two former Westminster insiders reveal how politics and power really work. </p><br><p>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? </p><br><p>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. </p><br><p>In The Room is straight-talking, insider analysis with a dose of humour, every week.</p><br><p>This podcast is part of The Independent Podcast Network and is produced in association with Next Chapter Studios.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
2/6/2026
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Recent Episodes
August 4, 2026
Lessons from No 10: When the world's most powerful CEOs enter Downing Street | Jimmy McLoughlin
<p>When Apple chief executive Tim Cook visited No 10, he stopped to admire David Bailey’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Jimmy McLoughlin, then Downing Street’s business director, gave him an impromptu tour and discovered along the way that Cook was also a fan of Netflix’s acclaimed royal drama The Crown.</p><br><p>Working under Theresa May, McLoughlin’s role was to help ensure that some of the world’s most influential business leaders had a productive relationship with the prime minister. Cook’s fascination with the Queen pointed to something broader: the value of British soft power, and the importance of the relationship between Westminster and the corporate world.</p><br><p>In the first episode of Lessons from No 10, McLoughlin joins Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson to discuss what ministers really need to understand about business. Now host of Jimmy’s Jobs of the Future, he argues that politicians do not all need to have run companies themselves – but they do need to understand the people who have.</p><br><p>Executive Producer: Rod Ardehali</p><p>Producer: Sam Durham</p><p>Find the best clips from the podcast and more from Helen and Cleo on the show's Instagram page <a href="https://instagram.com/intheroom.pod" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><br><p>Email your questions to Helen and Cleo on <a href="mailto:intheroom@independent.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">intheroom@independent.co.uk</a>.</p><br><p>This podcast is part of The Independent Podcast Network and is produced in association with Next Chapter Studios.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
July 31, 2026
Who's winning the summer? Burnham, Badenoch and Farage assessed
<p>As Andy Burnham's second week in power draws to a close, his rivals are scratching their heads and plotting their summer challenges – with mixed results. Green leader Zack Polanski is facing heat over yet another social media misdemeanour, it’s far from all quiet for Nigel Farage on the Clacton front, and the Liberal Democrats are nowhere to be seen – time for another Ed Davey stunt? Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch is preparing to embark on a summer tour with the highest approval rating of any Tory leader since April 2021. Today, we bring you the ultimate preview of Westminster's summer.</p><br><p>During August we'll be having our own summer recess, bringing you a special interview series: Lessons From No.10. Jimmy McLoughlin – the podcast host who landed the first interview with the new PM and a former business director in No.10 – tells us what it's really like meeting the world's most powerful CEOs. Peter Hill – principal private secretary to Theresa May – describes what it's like being up close with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Angela Merkel. And Lee Cain – who found himself almost running the country when Boris Johnson was hospitalised during Covid – tells us how to hold government communications together in a crisis. As a new prime minister settles in, this series is the ultimate primer for life inside 10 Downing Street.</p><br><p>We'll be back from the start of September, when Andy Burnham faces Kemi Badenoch at PMQs for the very first time – and the countdown to party conference season begins.</p><br><p>Executive Producer: Rod Ardehali</p><p>Producer: Sam Durham</p><p>Video Editor: Vali Raza</p><p>Find the best clips from the podcast and more from Helen and Cleo on the show's Instagram page <a href="https://instagram.com/intheroom.pod" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><br><p>Email your questions to Helen and Cleo on <a href="mailto:intheroom@independent.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">intheroom@independent.co.uk</a>.</p><br><p>This podcast is part of The Independent Podcast Network and is produced in association with Next Chapter Studios.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
July 28, 2026
Too much Manchester? Andy Burnham's first big interview unpacked
<p>Andy Burnham finally sat down to face some old school scrutiny this week. </p><br><p>After weeks of winning praise for his social-first approach to communications – Britain's first TikTok Prime Minister? – he finally sat down for a proper grilling with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg.</p><br><p>Today, we unpack his performance. How did he handle the tough questions on Trump and Putin? Is he talking about Manchester a little too much? And beyond the polished messaging, does he sound like a Prime Minister with a convincing plan to govern?</p><br><p>Meanwhile, No.10's policy fruit machine spun again with a surprise overhaul of technical education, and Count Binface launched a manifesto that might just be the clearest piece of political communication of the week.</p><br><p>Executive Producer: Rod Ardehali</p><p>Producer: Sam Durham</p><p>Video Editor: Vali Raza</p><p>Find the best clips from the podcast and more from Helen and Cleo on the show's Instagram page <a href="https://instagram.com/intheroom.pod" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><br><p>Email your questions to Helen and Cleo on <a href="mailto:intheroom@independent.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">intheroom@independent.co.uk</a>.</p><br><p>This podcast is part of The Independent Podcast Network and is produced in association with Next Chapter Studios.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
35 total episodes available with 16 transcripts
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is In The Room?
<p>Two former Westminster insiders reveal how politics and power really work. </p><br><p>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? </p><br><p>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. </p><br><p>In The Room is straight-talking, insider analysis with a dose of humour, every week.</p><br><p>This podcast is part of The Independent Podcast Network and is produced in association with Next Chapter Studios.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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