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The Latest Breaking News from Cleo Watson

The real reason Nigel Farage fired himself

IN THE ROOM: Nigel Farage's 'quit-and-reapply' stunt was intended to prove himself as the anti-establishment underdog, but all he’s really done is highlight the holes in his own illusion, say ex-Whitehall insiders Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson. Reported by Maja Anushka

The Independent UK

Is Nigel Farage’s luck finally running out?

IN THE ROOM: The ‘comeback kid’ has faced an onslaught of scandals in the last few weeks: houses, donations, gold bullion, and more. Ex-Whitehall insiders Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson explain Farage’s playbook and why it might not be working anymore, as reported by Maja Anushka

The Independent UK

The Independent returns as exclusive news partner of Henley Literary Festival

Nigella Lawson, Celia Imrie, and Eric Idle also appear on this year’s star-studded line-up

The Independent UK

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Shabana Mahmood tipped for chancellor as John Healey in frame for Home Office

IN THE ROOM: The Independent understands that Mahmood is now among the leading names being discussed for the Treasury, while Healey is being spoken of in Westminster as the frontrunner to take over at the Home Office if she is moved, writes Maja Anushka

The Independent UK

The reason Andy Burnham may already be repeating Keir Starmer’s biggest mistake

IN THE ROOM: Nominations to replace Keir Starmer won’t even begin until 9 July – but just days after being sworn in, Burnham may already showing some red flags, warn Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson. Reported by Athena Stavrou and Maja Anushka

The Independent UK

In The Room: Why Starmer’s resignation speech struck a chord with an ex-No 10 adviser

In The Room co-host and former No 10 special advisor Cleo Watson has reacted to Keir Starmer’s emotional resignation speech, drawing parallels to her former boss Theresa May’s departure.

The Independent UK

Keir Starmer’s legacy will be ‘managing to p*** off everyone’, ex-No 10 insider says

IN THE ROOM: From farmers and veterans to judges and pensioners, Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson ask whether the prime minister’s legacy will be defined by the very groups he alienated on the road to reform, as reported by Athena Stavrou and Maja Anushka

The Independent UK

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How Rayner played key role in Mandelson files release – and Labour’s humiliation

Former deputy cabinet secretary Helen MacNamara has highlighted how pivotal the ex-deputy prime minister was to the document release

The Independent UK

Inside ‘massively awkward’ cabinet meetings during a leadership crisis

When Keir Starmer walked into Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, he did so knowing that Labour had lost 1,500 seats in local elections and dozens of his own MPs, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, had called for him to resign. To describe the mood around the table as ‘a little awkward’ would…

The Independent UK

Why Labour’s anti-Burnham argument doesn’t work

In this clip from the latest episode of In The Room, Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson break down the curious case of Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester.

The Independent UK

Local elections: Are we sleepwalking into the weirdest (and most dangerous) government yet?

On Thursday 7 May, 25,000 candidates will stand in the local elections as potential representatives of Labour, the Conservative Party, Reform, the Greens, or as political independents. This number, in Cleo Watson’s words, is totally unprecedented.

The Independent UK

Voices: This is already the most vicious local election campaign I can remember – and I think I know why

COMMENT: A big win is a prize politicians seem willing to fight for more desperately than ever, and no wonder – I have seen firsthand the damage a ‘midterm’ defeat can do, says Cleo Watson

The Independent UK

We’re former No 10 insiders – ask us anything about Labour’s future, Reform, the Greens, and what’s next for Keir Starmer

ASK ME ANYTHING: In The Room hosts and former Whitehall insiders Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson answer your questions on local elections, Keir Starmer’s future, the Mandelson files, civil service drama, and whether Nigel Farage could really be our next prime minister

The Independent UK

Voices: Keir Starmer will survive his Commons grilling

COMMENT: As the prime minister faces MPs over the Mandelson vetting scandal, former Downing Street special adviser Cleo Watson – who helped prepare Boris Johnson for his high-stakes appearances in parliament – says Starmer will live to fight another day

The Independent UK

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The Independent UK

Keir Starmer ‘threw Olly Robbins under the bus’ in wake of Mandelson vetting row

Exclusive: Helen MacNamara calls Starmer’s decision to sack Olly Robbins ‘unacceptable’

The Independent UK

Voices: The government’s in big trouble – here are the 5 things I’d do to fix it

COMMENT: From farming to fuel, the warning signs are already here, says ‘In the Room’ co-host Helen MacNamara. What we need is crisis planning, which is about imagination, not optimism. Right now, the UK risks lacking in both

The Independent UK

Voices: I look eight years younger after quitting politics

COMMENT: When I worked in No 10, I had a period where I dreamed every night that Chris Grayling was hunting me from the skies, Hunger Games style – so take it from me, Westminster does things to you, says Cleo Watson

The Independent UK

What happened to Morgan McSweeney’s phone?

Former Deputy Cabinet Secretary Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson, former No.10 special adviser, react to the news that Morgan McSweeney’s phone was snatched in London.

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The Independent UK

Voices: How Farage and Cameo showed British politics is up for sale

COMMENT: From personalised videos to crypto ventures, the UK’s politicians are increasingly turning influence into income – and blurring the line between public service and private gain, says Cleo Watson

The Independent UK

‘You try to identify how much trouble you will personally be in’: Inside government at a time of crisis

Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson from The Independent’s ‘In the Room’ podcast lift the lid on life inside government

The Independent UK

The good, the bad and the tour bus: Inside the not so glamorous world of by-elections

Ministers, MPs and campaigners from all parties have been trawling Gorton and Denton ahead of the by-election

The Independent UK

5 new podcasts to listen to this week

These are our top podcast picks.

The Independent UK

‘Dread ekes out of the walls’: How it feels to work in No 10 during a crisis

In this clip from The Independent’s In The Room podcast, hosts Helen and Cleo reflect on their memories of how ominous No 10 can feel when the government is in crisis.

The Independent UK

Voices: If you think Westminster is a boring boys’ club, why not join ours?

COMMENT : ‘In The Room’, a podcast from Cleo Watson, former deputy chief of staff to Boris Johnson, and Helen MacNamara, deputy cabinet secretary, launches this Friday exclusively from The Independent. Here they explain why it’s a must-listen for those who want to cut through the noise in SW1

Euronews

Bored of your beach read? Dive into these politicians’ steamy novels

From Brussels to Westminster, top European politicians have turned their experiences into steamy novels, mixing romance, scandal, and risqué fantasies. Diplomats, ministers, and MPs reveal a surprising, erotic side behind the political curtain.

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