In The Room

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 inte...

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 s...

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 new...