The Latest Breaking News from Helen Macnamara

How Jackdaw could be the key to Burnham getting his ‘Mamdani moment’ with Trump

IN THE ROOM: The first face-to-face meeting between Burnham and Trump went... fine. But all hope of getting into the president’s good books may not be lost, says Helen MacNamara. Report by Maja Anushka

The Independent UK · Sep 23

What will Reform spend its £72m war chest on?

IN THE ROOM: After two crypto billionaires handed Reform UK £72m in just 48 hours, former No 10 adviser Cleo Watson explains where the money could go — and Helen MacNamara argues why it could change more than the party’s campaign operation. Report by Maja Anushka

The Independent UK · Sep 16

Reform was told there was ‘nothing in’ Channel 4 sting before aides quit

IN THE ROOM: It certainly isn’t the first time Reform’s finances have landed the party in hot water. But the latest scandal does show a changing Nigel Farage, says Helen MacNamara. Reported by Maja Anushka

The Independent UK · Sep 9

What Andy Burnham’s first interview as PM really revealed

IN THE ROOM: Andy Burnham has kicked off his second week as PM with a Laura Kuenssberg interview. But how did he fare in this first scrutiny test? Ex-Whitehall insiders Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson weigh in. Reported by Maja Anushka

The Independent UK · Jul 29

Charities welcome Burnham’s vow to end rough sleeping but warn he cannot ignore ‘hidden homelessness’ crisis

’If anyone’s going to do it, it will be him’, says Manchester homelessness charity boss

The Independent UK · Jul 21

Will Andy Burnham spark an exodus of London’s middle classes?

Why middle class Londoners could quit the capital if Andy Burnham hammers the South with tax rises, writes Nicholas Cecil

Evening Standard · Jul 18

Q&A: We’ve been in No 10 when a new PM arrives. Here’s what will happen to Burnham on day one

IN THE ROOM: Former Downing Street insiders Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson are here to give you a peek behind the curtain on a PM’s first day, reports Maja Anushka

The Independent UK · Jul 17

What some are already getting very wrong about Shabana Mahmood

The frontrunner for the position of chancellor in Andy Burnham’s cabinet widely expected to be Shabana Mahmood. Some commentators have already taken to criticising the potential move, in a way that Helen MacNamara has branded ‘annoying’ and Cleo Watson called ‘misunderstood’.

The Independent UK · Jul 17

Starmer was doomed in his first 100 days. Here’s what Burnham needs to do to avoid the same fate

IN THE ROOM: Starmer’s first 100 days in power reveal much about what led to his downfall. All the more reason for Andy Burnham to learn from them, say ex-Whitehall insiders Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson. Reported by Maja Anushka

The Independent UK · Jul 15

Why Burnham might be better off aligning with the US – not the EU

IN THE ROOM: Andy Burnham's proposal to fix the UK's dire economic situation is to devolve and cosy up to Europe – but the solution may lie elsewhere, argues Helen MacNamara. Reported by Maja Anushka

The Independent UK · Jul 10