Rephonic
Artwork for In The Room
Andy Burnham
Keir Starmer
Labour Party
Peter Mandelson
Brexit
Reform UK
Reform Party
Olly Robbins
Donald Trump
Nigel Farage
UK Government
Greens
Local Elections
Clacton By-Election
Liberal Democrats
Westminster
Theresa May
Boris Johnson
Cabinet Office
Energy Crisis

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 weeklyEpisodes42Founded8 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsGovernmentNews

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Artwork for In The Room

Latest Episodes

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

The Liberal Democrats are the third-largest party in the Commons, but where do they fit into Andy Burnham’s Britain? Following Ed Davey’s Brighton conference speech, we ask what the party actually stands for and uncover a surprising connection to Cle... more

Reform’s money trail is still dominating the headlines, with two billionaire donors handing the party £72m in just 48 hours. Meanwhile, the Representation of the People Bill is making its way through the Lords. We look at why attempts to curb big mon... more

Westminster is back, and so is conference season, beginning with Reform’s scandal-hit gathering in Birmingham. Helen was there, and gives her verdict on whether Nigel Farage’s party still feels like a government-in-waiting after a bruising week.

Mea... 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 337 ratings
  • 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 States2 months ago
  • Out Of The Room

    Don’t you mean?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JamieO1983
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Loving the new podcast ladies!

    Heard about this new podcast when Helen was chatting to Adam on Newscast and popped over to see what was going on here. Began at the beginning and several episodes in I’m loving it. You seemed to have achieved a lovely balance between the two of you and you’re both coming from an unusual, perhaps more obscure, perspective than other political pods, which for me was a huge draw🙌🏻 some really interesting points being raised which you wouldn’t hear from the regular people. Also loving the even ha... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Librarygirl55
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Would love 2x episodes a week!

    Only complaint is it feels like 2x episodes per week would be more appropriate given the pace of news from No10 and British politics in general!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rogerthegingertabby
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Refreshing and different

    I’m really enjoying this. Unlike Electoral Dysfunction, this pod isn’t patronising and smug in assuming just because it’s female fronted it’s automatically more insightful and relatable for women like me. These are two genuine insiders who are fair handed, articulate, analytical and amusing without being try-hard. It’s a bit of an oasis in the political pod market that adds calm nuance and isn’t just lazy eco chamber punditry.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tunesandlyrics
    United Kingdom5 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
#50
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#124
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#245
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#35
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#152
Saudi Arabia/News
Apple Podcasts
#222
Sweden/News/Politics

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
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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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These podcasts share a similar audience with In The Room:

1. Political Currency
2. Electoral Dysfunction
3. Politics At Sam and Anne's
4. How To Win An Election
5. Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government

How many episodes of In The Room are there?

In The Room launched 8 months ago and published 42 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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