Rephonic
Artwork for In The Room
Andy Burnham
Keir Starmer
Labour Party
Brexit
Peter Mandelson
Reform UK
Reform Party
Conservative Party
Olly Robbins
Donald Trump
Nigel Farage
UK Government
Local Elections
Greens
Clacton By-Election
Liberal Democrats
France Protests
European Union
Westminster
Theresa May

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, reveali... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes45Founded9 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsGovernmentNews

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Artwork for In The Room

Latest Episodes

France is reeling after a weekend of unrest that escalated dramatically. Hundreds of thousands marched peacefully, but elsewhere shops were looted, cars burned, police attacked and public buildings set alight.

What began with schoolchildren furious ... more

In Andy Burnham’s Makerfield constituency, 65% of voters backed Leave. During the recent by-election campaign, Burnham said he did not want to reopen the old Brexit arguments. Yet in recent weeks, the Prime Minister has made a series of pointed inter... more

Conference season is in full swing - and this week, it unfolded across two very different political stages.

In Birmingham, the Conservatives came to town. As Kemi Badenoch continues to win strong approval ratings - despite the Conservatives struggli... more

In The Room hits Liverpool for Labour Party Conference. Cleo heads into the hall, fringe events, protests and the media pen, talking to delegates, campaigners and lobbyists to get a feel for Andy Burnham’s Labour. Helen takes a different route, movin... more

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Recent Guests

Jonathan Black
Spent two decades at the Centre of Government; Deputy National Security Advisor; Rishi Sunak's representative at the 2023 AI Safety Summit
Centre of Government / Government of the United Kingdom
Episode: Reform’s £72m war chest - and how real are AI doomsday warnings?
Lee Cain
Former Director of Communications, Downing Street
Conservative Party / Downing Street
Episode: Lessons from No 10: When government comms go badly wrong | Lee Cain
Count Binface
Independent political candidate and public figure, formerly Lord Buckethead
Episode: Count Binface vs Farage: Flakes, Ferraris and the Clacton by-election
Jimmy McLoughlin
Former special adviser and Prime Minister's business director in No. 10 during Theresa May's tenure; entrepreneur advocate and podcast host
UK Government / No. 10 Downing Street
Episode: Lessons from No 10: When the world's most powerful CEOs enter Downing Street | Jimmy McLoughlin
Robert Jenrick
Shadow Chancellor candidate from Reform UK, former UK politician
Reform UK
Episode: Energy crisis: Is Farage really going to pay your bills?

Hosts

Cleo Watson
Former special advisor to Theresa May and Boris Johnson; co-host on In The Room; brings insider political advisory experience and communications know-how.
Helen MacNamara
Former Deputy Cabinet Secretary; host with a deep government background, offering insider perspectives on decision-making and the workings of Downing Street.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 376 ratings
  • Well spent listening

    Excellent to hear both points of views. Both are considered and interesting

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Michael Kallenbach
    South Africaa month ago
  • Great podcast!

    I love this podcast about politics from Helen and Cleo. It’s the right combination of insightful analysis alongside personal observations. It’s smart, informative, warm and on occasions funny. I’d highly recommend it to political podcast fans. It’s one of the best!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emsie A
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Gentle, knowledgeable and cutting

    You can tell from their voices which one was the senior civil servant and which one was the hyped up advisor. It’s the way they go through the scene setting and tactics possible that makes this podcast easy to listen to and insightful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Leapy Lee 351
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • A platform for their next job

    There have been some interesting discussions on this podcast, but having worked in the civil service for a decade, particularly the discussion around prisons, hmpps and MoJ just emphasised what I’ve seen: the senior civil service is full of people who don’t know what they are talking about or what they’re doing, and have no experience in the real world. That is why this country is in such a mess. These over promoted folk have led us into absolute disaster and are now commentating even more poorl... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Azalea Blooms
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Liberal podcasters and media didn’t seem to notice the weirdness during the Biden administration.

    Revisionist history by liberals never seems to amaze me. I seem to remember the raucous trans display on the White House front lawn during the Easter Holliday of 2024 when gender euphoria and transitioning was on national display. Where was the liberal back lash or even a smidgen of political satire then?

    The young woman you identified on your pod cast was a member of the Trump administration’s MAHA conservative movement and was merely nodding her head in agreement supporting childhood vacci... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Never liberal
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Two strong, credible hosts with real government experience
Smart insider analysis that stays balanced and informative
Calm, insightful takes on complex political dynamics and leadership

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#32
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#76
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#104
Ireland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#176
Argentina/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#207
Denmark/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#230
Ireland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Reform’s £72m war chest - and how real are AI doomsday warnings?
Q: What is the UK's niche in AI and how can it maintain leadership?
By maintaining strong safety standards, investing in domestic compute capacity, and promoting international collaboration to shape global norms, while balancing innovation with employment and energy considerations.
Reform’s £72m war chest - and how real are AI doomsday warnings?
Q: Should the public be worried about AI existential risks, and how should policy respond?
Yes, there are risks, but the focus should be on measured, targeted regulation that addresses existential risks while still enabling AI benefits, with external checks and balanced pacing to prevent overreaction.
Reform’s £72m war chest - and how real are AI doomsday warnings?
Q: What was the most significant outcome of the Bletchley Park AI Summit?
It established a collaborative framework between governments and labs, created the AI Safety Institute, and began the process of cross-border cooperation on AI safety, laying groundwork for future governance.
Count Binface vs Farage: Flakes, Ferraris and the Clacton by-election
Q: How much is a pint of milk?
The guest dodges the question, noting that prices depend on location and animal source, keeping the tone light and humorous.
Count Binface vs Farage: Flakes, Ferraris and the Clacton by-election
Q: Can you confidently eat a bacon sandwich?
Count Binface explains he cannot eat it confidently in the traditional way, preferring to laser or vaporize the food, and asserts personal toughness.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About In The Room

What is In The Room about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two former Westminster insiders break down how power really operates behind closed doors. Each episode blends insider anecdotes with practical analysis of how decisions are made in No. 10, how communications are crafted during crises, and the day-to-day realities of governing at the highest levels. Regular topics include leadership dynamics, government messaging, devolution, and the intersection of politics with business and media. A notable strength is the duo's rare lived experience from the heart of Downing Street, which yields candid takes, sharp banter, and actionable context for anyone tracking political strategy, communications, or policy outcomes. The show stands out for its steady, balanced discussions, emphasis on practical mechan... more

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1. Political Currency
2. The State of It
3. Electoral Dysfunction
4. How To Win An Election
5. Politics At Sam and Anne's

How many episodes of In The Room are there?

In The Room launched 9 months ago and published 45 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on In The Room?

Recent guests on In The Room include:

1. Jonathan Black
2. Lee Cain
3. Count Binface
4. Jimmy McLoughlin
5. Robert Jenrick

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