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Why Burnham’s voting reforms could backfire on Labour

IN THE ROOM: Andy Burnham has put electoral reform back on the agenda, but could changing Britain’s voting system hand Reform UK an unexpected advantage? Maja Anushka reports

The Independent UK · Oct 1

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

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

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 · Jul 8

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 · Jul 6