In The Room

4. Definitive guide to Mandelson files: All filler, no killer?

Last month, Parliament demanded the government release the Mandelson files. What followed was five long weeks of waiting.This week, the Prime Minister’s Chief Secretary, Darren Jones, finally stepped up to announce their release. So, what’s inside? A total of 147 pages: 10 pages of contents and introduction, 28 entirely blank pages, 30 pages of standard HR guidance. All filler, no killer?In this episode, we explain the release of the Mandelson files: who decides what gets buried or revealed in a document dump like this, why Peter Mandelson thought he deserved a £500,000 payout, and whether the most explosive revelations are still to come?Timecodes00:00 Introduction01:20 Mandelson scandal: Timeline of key events03:45 What are the Jeffrey Epstein files?05:11 How are the Mandelson files different? 05:46 The role of the Metropolitan Police07:03 Parliament’s role in Mandelson file release07:40 Government’s decision to release the files10:02 How did these files get put together? 11:05 What’s in the 147 pages?13:38 Why are there no WhatsApp messages in the files?16:30 What advice did Starmer receive on Mandelson appointment?20:35 The due diligence report explained21:50 “Procuring a young girl”: Inaccurate language in the files 26:30 The government’s ‘fact finding’ mission29:01 Why this should not be a political decision35:15 Why did Mandelson demand a payout?36:30 Mandelson: a cat with nine lives?39:11 Kemi Badenoch’s reaction41:45 Why this leaves Starmer so exposedFind 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 StudiosExecutive Producers: Olivia Foster and Carrie RoseProducer: Sam Durham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3. Inside Downing Street when war breaks out

A week is a long time in politics. After a crushing by-election defeat last week, the Prime Minister was hoping for a quiet week to recalibrate. Instead, he got a new war. The US and Israel’s joint attack on Iran has set in motion a whole new set of pressures on his government; navigating the ‘Special Relationship’ with the US, confronting the long shadow of Iraq hanging over the Labour Party and keeping the domestic ship afloat.In this episode, former Deputy Cabinet Secretary Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson, former Special Advisor to Boris Johnson, reveal the reality of Number 10 on a war footing. What’s it like inside COBR meetings? Does the ‘boys club’ mentality take over? And how the hell do you keep the country running?Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction01:28 Iran War: recap of the week’s events04:41 Domestic backdrop: Spring statement07:01 The strange geography of 10 Downing Street this week09:45 How to spot the signs of war in Number 1012:45 History lesson: Gordon Brown’s COBR meetings16:51 Why Boris Johnson didn’t like COBR meetings19:40 The ‘Boys Club’ mindset at a time of war24:03 Party politics during war26:30 Why the Conservatives haven’t backed Labour30:15 The importance of a US ambassador31:50 Bizarre phone calls with POTUS33:10 Theresa May holding hands with Trump35:28 What should Starmer do next?Cover image: PAFind 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 StudiosExecutive Producers: Olivia Foster and Carrie RoseProducer: Sam Durham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2. Mandelson and Starmer: Is the HR process to blame?

The fallout from the Prime Minister’s decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador isn’t going away. But it’s far from his only controversial hire.Former Deputy Cabinet Secretary Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson, former No. 10 special advisor, analyse Downing Street's hiring and firing crisis.They explain how hiding behind "process" is actively damaging Starmer’s ability to lead with integrity, asking the questions Number 10 won't answer: How exactly did Mandelson clear vetting? How did Matthew Doyle - Starmer’s former Director of Communications - fly under the radar despite ties to a convicted pedophile? And why on earth is the Minister for Inquiries now the subject of an inquiry? Cover image: PAFind 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 StudiosExecutive Producers: Olivia Foster and Carrie RoseProducer: Sam Durham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1. Starmer: Symptoms of a PM in trouble

What does it feel like to be inside Number 10 when the PM’s power is fading? With pressure mounting for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to go, former Deputy Cabinet Secretary Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson, ex-advisor to Theresa May and Boris Johnson, reveal the sights, sounds - and even smells - that emerge when the foundations at 10 Downing Street start to shake. They also offer up some sage advice to an imperilled PM and ask: How can he turn this sinking ship around? Is it time for him to dance like no one’s watching? And is there anyone who can help him?Cover image credit: PAFind 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 StudiosExecutive Producers: Olivia Foster and Carrie RoseProducer: Sam Durham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In The Room - Trailer

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 Friday.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 StudiosExecutive Producers: Olivia Foster and Carrie RoseProducer: Sam Durham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.