In The Room

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-advisor to Theresa May and Boris Johnson, take you inside the rooms where officials scramble to respond to the unpredictable. From emergency calls with ambassadors to the quiet panic of Whitehall planning for an oil shock, they reveal how the UK system struggles when the rulebook no longer applies.

They also ask: how should Keir Starmer handle a leader who changes course by the hour? What would actually be happening behind the scenes during the two-week ceasefire? And as fuel costs rise and global norms wobble, are we watching a temporary crisis - or the start of a completely new world order?
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 Studios

Executive Producers: Olivia Foster and Carrie Rose
Producer: Sam Durham
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whilst much of the country is enjoying a long Easter weekend, it’s far harder for MPs to switch off. And when they do, they might just end up getting lampooned for it. This week Keir Starmer was ridiculed for his 5-a-side prowess, while Labour MP for Walthamstow Stella Creasy faced criticism for posting a clip of herself dancing at a silent disco.

In the midst of the US Iran war and a deepening cost of living crisis, Helen and Cleo discuss why it’s so hard for MPs to catch a break and why it’s always a good idea to think before you post on social media.
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 Studios

Executive Producers: Olivia Foster and Carrie Rose
Producer: Sam Durham
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, as Blackrock big boss Larry Fink warned we could be heading for a global recession if the US Iran war continues, we discuss whether people should be prepping for what’s to come. From whether you should have a jerry can of fuel in your garage, to why you should be jotting down your favourite radio stations.

Helen and Cleo look back at Covid times, when loo roll was in short supply and panic was rising. They discuss how the government can effectively support citizens, land the right messaging at a time of crisis, and whether having micro-influencers do the work for them is a good strategy.
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 Studios

Executive Producers: Olivia Foster and Carrie Rose
Producer: Sam Durham
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, as the war in the Middle East escalated, energy prices were soaring while the government scrambled to provide emergency support. Some £53million was announced by Ed Milliband, but is it really enough to help families who are struggling with the cost of living?

In this episode we pull apart the UK’s cost of living malaise: Nigel Farage’s headline‑grabbing pledge to pay the energy bills of an entire street, how serious the threat of new Trump tariffs really is, and reveal why Britain is so exposed to geopolitical shocks.
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 Studios

Executive Producers: Olivia Foster and Carrie Rose
Producer: Sam Durham
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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?

Timecodes
00:00 Introduction
01:20 Mandelson scandal: Timeline of key events
03:45 What are the Jeffrey Epstein files?
05:11 How are the Mandelson files different?
05:46 The role of the Metropolitan Police
07:03 Parliament’s role in Mandelson file release
07:40 Government’s decision to release the files
10:02 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 explained
21:50 “Procuring a young girl”: Inaccurate language in the files
26:30 The government’s ‘fact finding’ mission
29:01 Why this should not be a political decision
35:15 Why did Mandelson demand a payout?
36:30 Mandelson: a cat with nine lives?
39:11 Kemi Badenoch’s reaction
41:45 Why this leaves Starmer so exposed
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 Studios

Executive Producers: Olivia Foster and Carrie Rose
Producer: Sam Durham
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.