Stormont Sources

The DUP has triggered a Petition of Concern to block a Sinn Féin Irish-medium education bill at Stormont just as a shock new LucidTalk poll puts Sinn Féin on 28% and the DUP tied with the TUV on 14%. On this week’s Stormont Sources, the panel debate whether Gavin Robinson’s "not business as usual" obstruction strategy is smart unionist politics or self-harm 175 days out from the next Ass...

Carla Lockhart has left the DUP and is now sitting as an Independent Unionist MP for Upper Bann. But what does her departure mean for the future of unionism in Northern Ireland? On this week's Stormont Sources podcast, the panel are joined by Carla Lockhart for her first week outside the DUP, following her decision to leave over Gavin Robinson's decision to keep Michelle O'Neill in pos...

Is Gavin Robinson losing control of the DUP? And can a new think tank change the debate over Northern Ireland's future within the United Kingdom? In this jam packed episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Tim Kearns and Michael McKernan examine the growing divisions within the DUP, the fallout from Drumcree, the latest opinion poll and the challenges facing Northern Ireland's political...

Sinn Féin is making bold moves ahead of the next Northern Ireland Assembly election. But can its election strategy deliver more seats at Stormont? On this episode of Stormont Sources, the panel discuss Sinn Féin’s plans to run high-profile candidates in key constituencies, the impact of boundary changes and the battle for the final Assembly seats. The episode also examines the continuing fallout f...

Is Gavin Robinson's leadership of the DUP under threat? Could Carla Lockhart leave the party? And what does the Drumcree dispute mean for the future of unionism and power-sharing at Stormont? On this episode of Stormont Sources,the team examine another turbulent week in Northern Ireland politics. The discussion focuses on the fallout from the decision to ban the Orange Order parade from procee...

Northern Ireland’s political tensions are once again in the spotlight as the panel examines the ongoing Drumcree dispute and the challenges facing the Stormont Executive. With Michelle O’Neill facing questions in the Assembly, the discussion explores whether political leaders can find a way forward, what role the Secretary of State could play, and whether the controversy could have wider consequen...

The Drumcree parade impasse has returned to the headlines in 2026, triggering fierce debate, toxic chamber clashes in the Northern Ireland Assembly, and questions over the future of the Stormont Executive. In this episode of the Stormont Sources Podcast, the team unpack the legal, political, and community fallout surrounding the Garvaghy Road parade determination. Who holds responsibility? Is the...

Jon Burrows, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, joins the Stormont Sources podcast to discuss the future of the UUP, Stormont reform, the constitutional debate and unionist cooperation ahead of the next Assembly and local government elections. Burrows discusses why he believes Stormont needs reform, his argument for making the case for the Union, the UUP's approach to working with other unio...

Live from the SDLP Annual Conference, the Stormont Sources team breaks down the state of Northern Ireland politics, Assembly accountability, and the SDLP's roadmap for the 2027 election. The panel discusses Claire Hanna’s conference speech, the SDLP’s strategy for the next election, and how the party plans to distinguish itself from Sinn Féin and Alliance. They also examine the lack of a Stormont...

Stormont is back but Northern Ireland’s political problems haven’t gone away. In this episode of Stormont Sources the team look at the first week back at the Northern Ireland Assembly after the nine-week summer recess. With the next Assembly and local government elections approaching, the political temperature is already rising. Ministers and MLAs have been clashing in the chamber, controversial l...

Claire Sugden joins Stormont Sources to discuss the future of Northern Ireland politics ahead of the 2027 Assembly election. The independent MLA for East Londonderry speaks candidly about her political future, the challenges facing Stormont and whether the Executive will survive until the next Assembly election. Claire also discusses the ongoing Causeway Hospital emergency surgery controversy, her...

In this episode of Stormont Sources, David, Tim and Michael dissect a major High Court ruling. The court has quashed the decision by the Parades Commission regarding the annual Drumcree parade outside Portadown. The team breaks down what actually happened in court, whether this represents a "seismic" legal shift or an administrative blunder, and what it means for Northern Irish politics ahead of u...

The political "silly season" in Northern Ireland has exploded with major developments across the Executive. In this episode of Stormont Sources, host David McCann sits down with regulars Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan to break down the descending crises facing Northern Ireland’s key political parties. Following the shock resignation of UUP Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, the panel analyses who Jon...

Are Stormont's days numbered? Recorded live at the Derry Féile, the Stormont Sources team take the podcast on the road to gauge real-world reactions from the Northwest. With no budget passed, party conferences approaching, and an assembly election on the horizon, we discuss the collapse of the devolution, why Derry voters feel left behind by Belfast-centric politics and if unionism could lose its...

Are the wheels coming off the Stormont institutions? In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann and Tim Cairns break down the latest high-stakes political clash between Sinn Féin and the DUP. Following warnings from Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy that reform is urgently needed, DUP Leader Gavin Robinson offered a fiery and memorable response: "Tighten your nuts!" We dive into whether Stormont can...

Doug Beattie reflects on his dramatic exit from the UUP, addressing internal party friction, historic tweet controversies, and what he describes as a "toxic environment" prior to his departure. Now charting his path as an Independent Unionist, Beattie looks back at his 13 years in politics, from guarding Spandau Prison and Cruise Missiles in his military days, to leading the UUP, representing the...

Andy Burnham has officially become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, marking the country’s 7th PM since 2016.  Join host Calum Macdonald live from Downing Street on this special episode of The Sources Podcasts as we break down every moment of this historic handover of power. From Keir Starmer’s departure speech to Andy Burnham’s note-free address to the nation, we cover the immediate...

Are Northern Ireland's main executive parties failing on LGBTQ+ equality and environmental action? In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Tim Kearns, and Michael McKernan sit down with Green Party NI Leader Mal O'Hara for an unfiltered deep-dive into Northern Ireland politics. Are Northern Ireland's main executive parties failing on LGBTQ+ equality and environmental action? Topics disc...

In this episode, David McCann, Tim Cairns, and Michael McKernan dive headfirst into a turbulent week for the Alliance Party. Was a retracted graphic featuring a tattered Linfield FC really a big deal? And why did Sorcha Eastwood's attendance at a 12th July bonfire cause such a social media stir? We ask where the Alliance Party is trying to get to as a political organisation. Plus, we are halfway t...

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,...