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Artwork for In The Room

In The Room

The Independent
Keir Starmer
Peter Mandelson
Westminster
Theresa May
Boris Johnson
Labour Party
Cabinet Office
Energy Crisis
UK Politics
Brexit
COVID
New Labour
Leveson Inquiry
Coalition Government
Whitehall
Political Crisis
Election Campaign
Morgan Mcsweeney
Jeffrey Epstein
Tory Party

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes12Founded3 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsGovernment

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for In The Room

Latest Episodes

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 me... more

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 faile... more

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 “underprep... more

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-... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Robert Jenrick
Shadow Chancellor candidate from Reform UK, former UK politician
Reform UK
Episode: 5. Energy crisis: Is Farage really going to pay your bills?

Hosts

Cleo Watson
Former political adviser to Theresa May and Boris Johnson; Host of In The Room; affiliated with The Independent/NEXT Chapter Studios
Helen MacNamara
Former Deputy Cabinet Secretary; Host of In The Room; affiliated with The Independent/NEXT Chapter Studios

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 87 ratings
  • Brilliant, refreshing, must listen

    As a Westminster civil servant who has long given up on political podcasts this has been the perfect fresh take to get me listening and thinking again. I’ve admired Helen and Cleo from close-ish proximity so am so glad they’ve brought their kindness, empathy and humour to the (crowded) podcasting space. I particularly love that the theme of the show goes into the day-to-day impacts on women and how the environment in Downing St can turn into a boys club (e.g the female urge to sort lunch breaks ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Meg9696
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Fresh perspective

    Love this - Helen and Cleo are great to listen to and this insight into the reality of being in the room during moments of high drama and crises is compelling listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lm4ylmer
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • The best podcast ever,

    What an amazing podcast it shows my point of view but in a much better way.It also shows me a new and perfect point of view.It is definitely my favourite podcasts I have and will ever listen to.I don’t think they could make any better because it is the best thing I have ever heard.I also have obviously told all my friends to listen now.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Frank Macnamara
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • What a double act!!

    The best podcasts for me, someone who has never been anywhere near the room, are hosted by those who have been there at the highest level but who also have great chemistry and the ability to make me laugh as well as learn!! These Ladies have all those qualities in abundance !! Well done brilliant first episode!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Paulfr75
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Intriguing premise

    Delightful to hear snippets of insider goss delivered by such cheery and indeed plummy presenters.

    It remains to be seen to what extent any genuine apercus can eventuate, given statutory constraints, but we wait and see with keen interest!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Coracoid99
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The chemistry between the two hosts is repeatedly highlighted as a major strength.
Listeners appreciate the balance of official insight and practical, relatable analysis.
Episodes are praised for offering fresh angles on leadership, decision-making, and power dynamics.
Shows insider access with down-to-earth delivery and sharp humor.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#91
United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#6
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#15
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#218
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#141
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#155
France/News/Politics

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per EpisodeGender SkewLocation
InterestsProfessionsAge Range
Household IncomeSocial Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About In The Room

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

Insiders-turned-analysts unpack how power actually operates in UK politics, offering insider perspectives on decision-making, crisis management, and the mechanics behind government actions. Episodes mix practical anecdotes from Westminster with sharp analysis of leadership, policy, and the forces shaping public messaging, often interlaced with humor. The show tends to appeal to listeners who want a clearer picture of how rooms in No.10 and Whitehall function, not just what happened in the headlines. A standout is the duo's rare access coupled with candid, experience-led commentary that adds nuance to coverage of crises, leadership challenges, and strategic governance.

Where can I find podcast stats for In The Room?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for In The Room. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to In The Room and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does In The Room get?

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What are the audience demographics for In The Room?

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How many subscribers and views does In The Room have?

To see how many followers or subscribers In The Room has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to In The Room?

These podcasts share a similar audience with In The Room:

1. Political Currency
2. How To Win An Election
3. Quite right!
4. Westminster Insider
5. The State of It

How many episodes of In The Room are there?

In The Room launched 3 months ago and published 12 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact In The Room?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for In The Room?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for In The Room from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on In The Room?

Recent guests on In The Room include:

1. Robert Jenrick

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