Stormont Sources

Why is the downfall of former DUP leader and convicted child rapist Jeffrey Donaldson barely registering at Westminster? In this week's episode of Stormont Sources, regular hosts Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan tackle the heavy blindspots in the UK national press. First, we are joined by Westminster insider Ollie Cole (Senedd Sources host) to dissect why stories about major UK politicians getting...

The fallout from Jeffrey Donaldson’s conviction continues to rock the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). In this week’s episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan, are joined by former DUP Special Advisor David Graham, to dissect the internal crisis. Is this the end of the road for the leading party of unionism, or can Gavin Robinson steady the ship amidst allegations...

In this episode of Stormont & Sources, David McCann and former SPADs Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan dive into a massive week in British and Irish politics. First, the team reacts to the shocking news from Westminster: the resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer less than two years into his term. What does this mean for the future of the Labour government, and will Andy Burnham be the next...

The former leader of the DUP and Lagan Valley MP, Jeffrey Donaldson, has been found guilty of all 18 historical sex abuse charges, including rape, by a jury at Newry Crown Court.  In this special episode of the Stormont Sources podcast, hosts David McCann and Tim Cairns are joined by Alison Morris, Crime Correspondent for the Belfast Telegraph. Alison was one of only 10 journalists allowed in...

From the gridlock on major infrastructure projects like the A5 and wastewater planning to the political infighting over the Good Jobs Bill and the biomethane transition, we ask: how do we shift the focus from rigid bureaucratic process to actual economic outcomes? In this episode of Stormont Sources, host David McCann is joined by regulars Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan to talk to the former Exec...

This week, the panel breaks down the massive public fallout over the Scarva Gaza march protests and the growing executive gridlock surrounding the "Good Jobs" Employment Rights Bill. As summer approaches, localised flashpoints are exposing deep rifts within Stormont. Did DUP MP Carla Lockhart provide crucial leadership on the ground at Scarva bridge to prevent a volatile situation from escalating,...

Sinn Féin has officially launched its proposals to radically reform the Northern Ireland Assembly. Once the biggest skeptics of changing the rules, why has the party firmly embraced reform now? In this episode of Stormont Sources we sit down with Sinn Féin MLA and Deputy Chair of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee, Pat Sheehan, to dive deep into their 6 new proposals—including ending mutu...

Is the Ulster Unionist Party on the verge of a total meltdown in Upper Bann? In this week's edition of Stormont Sources, Northern Ireland’s most-listened-to political panel dives headfirst into the growing internal warfare ripping through the UUP. Host David McCann is joined by former DUP Special Advisor Tim Cairns and former SDLP Special Advisor Michael McKernan to break down the shock resignatio...

In this episode of Stormont Sources, we sit down with Foyle MP and former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood to look back at the chaotic "Vote Colum, Get Mike" era, his testy private showdown with Martin McGuinness, and why he believes the Northern Ireland Assembly is failing to deliver for the public. Topics covered in this episode: The 10-Year Anniversary of Official Stormont Opposition (2016) Colum Eas...

On this special edition of the Stormont Sources podcast, David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan take at look ahead to this year's politics A-Level and provide their advice on how to do well. You can read Tim's model essay answer here: https://stormontsources.com/exams Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this explosive edition of Storming Sources, David McCann, Tim Kerns, and Michael McKernan break down a historic week that has reshaped British and Irish politics. We are joined by Andy Maciver and Calum Macdonald from the Holyrood Sources podcast to analyse the 2026 Scottish and Welsh election results. With Nationalist First Ministers now leading in Scotland (John Swinney), Wales (Rhun ap Iorwe...

Sorcha Eastwood talks through Keir Starmer, Stormont reform, and the pressures on households — but are politicians actually delivering any real change, or just more of the same? In this episode of Stormont Sources, host David McCann is joined by regulars Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan to talk to the MP for Lagan Valley, Sorcha Eastwood. Sorcha has been a vocal critic of Keir Starmer’s Labour gove...

In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann and Michael McKernan are joined by unionist columnist and commentator Sarah Creighton. Following her viral Irish News column, Sarah discusses the complexities of identity in Northern Ireland, why she identifies as both British and Irish, the 'bravery' of challenging the unionist status quo, and why 'English indifference' doesn't change her constitu...

The latest LucidTalk poll is in, and it’s a rough snapshot for the big parties at Stormont. With Sinn Féin and the DUP seeing a dip in support, we ask: is the "First Minister effect" wearing off? In this episode, David McCann and Tim Cairns dive deep into the rising popularity of the SDLP’s Claire Hanna and the UUP’s John Burrows (and why that might not actually lead to more seats). Plus, we look...

In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Tim Cairns, and Michael McKernan go inside the chamber to discuss the latest political developments at Stormont. We take a closer look into Danny Baker’s Holiday Hunger Bill discussing whether it is a vital lifeline for 90,000 children, or a fiscally "irresponsible" use of a Private Member’s Bill? The panel also explores the tension between Educat...

In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Tim Cairns, and Michael McKiernan break down the latest "Ireland Thinks" poll from the Sunday Independent. Irish Unity failed to make it near the top list of concerns for voters in the Republic. Does this signal a cooling of the "inevitability" narrative, or is it just the reality of the cost-of-living crisis? Later we are joined by the DUP’s Debo...

Northern Ireland is facing a funding cliff edge — costing up to 400 jobs. In this episode of Stormont Sources , David McCann, Tim Kearns and Michael McKernan break down the growing crisis in the voluntary sector, as funding for the Local Growth Fund drops from £25m to just £9m. Plus NICVA’s Celine McStravick spills on the real impact: services cut, organisations under threat, and thousands left wi...

Minister of Education Paul Givan joins Stormont Sources to issue a direct rebuttal to critiques of his landmark 'TransformEd' policy. Two weeks ago, we heard from Sinn Féin and Alliance members of the Education Committee. Today, the Minister himself responds to what he calls "misrepresentations" of his reforms. From the abolition of AS-Levels to the "test factory" culture in NI schools, we go into...

Did Andy Burnham miss the mark at the Alliance Party Conference? 🗳️ In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Michael McKernan (former SDLP Advisor), and Tim Cairns (former DUP Advisor) dive into a packed week in Northern Ireland politics. We break down the highlights (and tactical errors) of the Alliance Party Conference, discuss whether Eóin Tennyson is the leader-in-waiting, and analys...

In our first-ever LIVE podcast, we're recording from the Alliance Party Conference, David McCann, Tim Cairns, and Michael McKernan sit down with Alliance Leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long . We dive deep into the "toxic" atmosphere of the Assembly, why the Department of Justice is facing a massive budget crisis, and the national scandal of Lough Neagh. Naomi doesn't hold back on the "veto cult...

In this edition of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan dive into the "breakneck speed" of Education Minister Paul Givan’s new A-Level reforms. Is the move to modular exams a "once in a generation" improvement, or a "headline-grabbing" risk for working-class students? We also sit down with Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole to discuss the SDLP’s controversial motio...

Did Michelle O’Neill just hand the DUP a political win? In this episode, David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan break down the fallout after the First Minister declined to attend UK government security briefings on the escalating Middle East crisis — a decision that sparked sharp criticism from unionists and raised fresh tensions at Stormont. With Emma Little-Pengelly stepping into the spot...

Stormont reform is back on the table — and not everyone’s happy about it. Former First Minister Arlene Foster warns that calls for change could “tilt the constitutional balance”, while former SDLP leader Mark Durkan says reform was always part of the plan. So… is this sensible modernisation — or a power shift in disguise? David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan unpack the facts. ⚖️ Unionist...

This week on the one year anniversary special of Stormont Sources , David McCann is joined by Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan to break down the political storm following comments from former UUP councillor Lindzi McLaren suggesting Irish unity may be “inevitable.” Her remarks come just days after SDLP Leader, Claire Hanna argued that while Irish unity is desirable, it is not inevitable. So who’s r...

In this episode of the Stormont Sources podcast David McCann, Tim Cairns, and Michael McKernan discuss the recent £400 million loan from Westminster to Stormont, the implications of this financial aid, and the ongoing political turmoil surrounding Keir Starmer's leadership in the UK. They also address listener questions regarding the potential for a united unionist party and the future of Northern...